painting garage floor, how do i test for moisture?

Coupe · 01-12-07, 07:15

My *Home Depot 3-2-1* book says to tape down a 4'x4' sheet of some kind, dosent really say what it is or where to get it.

How do i test for moisture?

kompressornsc · 01-12-07, 07:17

Just use a sheet of visquine. Seal it down with tape on all sides and if you have condensation under it, you have moisture coming through the concrete.

Danase · 01-12-07, 07:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by kompressornsc

Just use a sheet of visquine. Seal it down with tape on all sides and if you have condensation under it, you have moisture coming through the concrete.

What he said.
Or you can always use a moister tester. They are not cheap but can probably be rented or borrowed.

Setec Astronomy · 01-12-07, 07:29

What is visquine? And if you have moisture coming through, then what? You can't paint? You have to give up?

Danase · 01-12-07, 07:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

What is visquine? And if you have moisture coming through, then what? You can't paint? You have to give up?

Visquine is plastic basically. Use a plastic drop cloth.

Coupe · 01-12-07, 08:05

So basicly any type of plastic?
How long do i leave it taped down for?

Setec Astronomy · 01-12-07, 08:16

Hey Coupe, so if you get moisture under the plastic, can you still paint, but you have to do another step first, or what?

Danase · 01-12-07, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

So basicly any type of plastic?
How long do i leave it taped down for?

Depends I guess. I would say a day?

Coupe · 01-12-07, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Hey Coupe, so if you get moisture under the plastic, can you still paint, but you have to do another step first, or what?

According to my *home depot 3-2-1* book (highly recomend for home owners, its a GREAT book) it says if there is moisture then you cannot paint. I dunno if that is true or if there is away around it. It dosent touch this subject very much/well.

So from what i understand i can use any plastic and just tape it down on all sides.
What i still need to know is how long i leave it taped down for and if i can do this in the winter, my garage is unheated.

Coupe · 01-12-07, 08:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danase

Depends I guess. I would say a day?

so 24 hours is probably a safe bet.
Can i do this in the winter?

Setec Astronomy · 01-12-07, 08:31

I have never been very successful with paint or even clear sealer on my garage floor. I don't know if it's from moisture, improperly cured concrete, some other concrete problem, or road salt and stuff from before I tried to paint/seal it. Went through all the etching/cleaning, but I still get tons of spalling and dust.

Danase · 01-12-07, 08:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

so 24 hours is probably a safe bet.
Can i do this in the winter?

Got heat in the garage?