6 Best Clear Coat for the Garage Floor

Disclaimer: All claims are strictly my personal opinion. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Most of the garage floors are hard surfaces made of concrete and these require proper coating for beauty and maintenance.

Selecting the right clear coat for the garage floor is a bit confusing and it requires knowledge, experience, and esthetic sense.

The clear coatings give a glossy and shiny look to the floor. The top clear coatings perform the following functions.

The clear top coating of the floor works as a protective layer which protects the floors against any penetration and staining.

The clear coating of the floor also increases durability and provides protection against wear and tear.

The clear coating enhances the appearance of the floor and gives it a deep and shiny look, which reflects light.

The clear coating also makes the maintenance and cleaning process easier.

The clear coats are available in different kinds, the most commonly available types are as follows; Epoxy clear coating, Polyurethane coatings for the floors, Polyaspartic top coating, and polyurea clear coating.

To help choose the right clear coating for the floors, we will evaluate and compare the different types of clear coatings for the floor.


QUICK PICKS

Here are my recommended products picked out through amazon; you would be interested in depending on your budget…

SaleBest Value
Rust-Oleum 293513 Rocksolid Polycuramine Garage Oil Floor...
Rust-Oleum 293513 Rocksolid Polycuramine Garage Oil Floor...
Each kit covers up to 500 sq. Ft. Depending upon surface porosity
Rust-Oleum 242057 Painter's Touch Latex Paint, Quart, Gloss...
Rust-Oleum 242057 Painter's Touch Latex Paint, Quart, Gloss...
Water-based acrylic formula is low odor, resist chips and provides long-lasting protection

6 Best Clear Coat for the Garage Floor Reviews

Here are quick links to some top rated clear coats of different types available in the market for garage floors.

1. Rocksolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating (Polycuramine)

See at Amazon!

Salient Features
  • Polycuramine
  • Self-Leveling
  • Dries in 8-10 Hours
  • Drive on time 24 hours
  • Extreme high gloss finish/sheen
  • No hot tire pickups
  • Application Temperature 40-90 F0

Overview

The toughest, most durable garage floor coating on the market is here.

Rocksolid polycuramine offers unparalleled strength and will not crack or peel no matter how harsh your environment may be with resistances against salt, oil gas, and other chemicals to ensure you don’t have any problems!

Resists hot tire pickup as well so it’s great for workshop floors but also works inside residential homes too!

It provides a high gloss finish that would rival terrazzo surfaces while providing lasting appeal due to its super simple application process – just one coat required Offers quickly return to use with the ability to walk on in 8-10 hours and drive on in 24 hours.

Its optimal application is temperature 40˚-90˚F.

What We Like!
  • Durable
  • High Gloss finish
  • Dries quickly
  • Odorless
  • Zero VOCs
  • Easy to maintain
  • Resists Chemical, cracking, and peeling
  • Self-Leveling
  • Useful for both interior and exterior floors
Things to Consider!
  • Pot Life is very short only 45 min
  • Required expert persons to apply the coating

2. Pearlescent Garage Floor Coating (Minerals Based)

See at Amazon!

Salient Features
  • Drive on 24 Hours
  • No Hot Tire Pickup
  • Chemical Resistant
  • Low odor & VOC Free
  • No Peel
  • Extreme High Gloss
  • Kit covers up to 200-250 Sq. Ft.
  • Available in 6 Colors
  • Optimal application temperature 40˚-90˚F

Overview

Pearlescent floor coating works on the interior concrete surfaces including the garage floors, basement, workshops, and housing floors. It is designed to create the appearance of high end quartz or granite.

Its revolutionary formula provides excellent hardness, adhesion, and durability on properly prepared concrete floor for a long lasting finish. It has excellent resistance to salt, oil, gasoline, and other harsh chemicals.

Its Zero VOC and low odor allows for an environmentally safe transformation with a no peel guarantee and no hot tire pickup.

It dries quickly, the coating is walk on ready in 8-10 hours, and the vehicle ready within 24 hours.

It is very easy to apply and covers almost a 250 sq ft area depending on the porosity of the surface.

What We Like!
  • Dries quickly
  • No VOCs
  • Chemical, salt and cracking resistant
  • Durable
  • Good adhesion
  • Excellent Hardness
Things to Consider!
  • Not good for porous concrete floor
  • Brush provided may not work well

3. Varathane Gallon Gloss Waterborne Diamond Floor Finish (Polyurethane)

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Salient Features
  • Abrasion Resistant
  • Chemical and Stain Resistant
  • Elegant design and finish
  • Dries faster
  • Low odor
  • Scuff Resistant

Overview

Varathane Gloss Waterborne floor coating is designed to provide an elegant design and high gloss finish. It can be used for hard concrete surfaces and hardwood interior floors.

It has high class durability and provides long lasting life on the floor. It exhibits high abrasion resistant characteristics. It resists scuffs, stains, and scratches excellently. It is also chemical resistant.

It dries very quickly and is shorty ready for walk on; its drive on time is also very short. Its maintenance is very easy; it can be easily washed and cleaned with simple soap and water.

It is a low odor and ultraviolet stable product; it is also a good medium for anti-slip. Moreover, it’s very easy to apply, precautions must be taken while applying this polyurethane floor coating, a respirator should be during the working.

What We Like!
  • High Durability
  • High Gloss Sheen/Finish
  • Dries faster
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Chemical Resistant
  • Scuff Resistant
  • Stain resistant
  • U.V Stable
Things to Consider!
  • May require more than 1 coat
  • Not high adhesion
  • More expensive than epoxies

4. High-Gloss, Protective, Polyaspartic Concrete Coating (Polyaspartic)

See at Amazon!

Salient Features
  • High Solids contents coating
  • Ultra Protective
  • High Abrasive resistant
  • Chemical Resistant
  • Heat Resistant
  • Zero VOCs
  • Coverage range 200-400 Sq ft

Overview

This polyaspartic floor coating is designed to be applied easily. This high solids coating has extended cure time but stills allow a quicker return to the service than the epoxy and polyurethane.

This polyaspartic is great a final coat for the garages, basements, commercial floors, and concrete top floors.

It provides a durable, long lasting, and high gloss finish. This floors coating is an ultra-protective coating which exhibits high abrasive resistance. It is highly chemical and heat resistant compared to the other available coatings.

It penetrates deeply and beautifully enhances the decorative color designs of the floor coating. It covers an area of almost 200-400 square feet depending on the coating application. It is easy to apply the coating and serves as an excellent high gloss and ultra-durable finish for the concrete floors. It can be slippery sometimes due to water.

What We Like!
  • Ultra protective
  • High Gloss finish
  • Chemical resistant
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Heat Resistant
  • Durable
  • Long lasting
Things to Consider!
  • Can be slippery sometimes

5. Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin (Epoxy)

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Salient Features
  • Crystal Clear Epoxy
  • Easy to mix and apply
  • V Resistant
  • High Gloss
  • Water Resistant
  • Self-Leveling

Overview

This clear table epoxy resin is particularly designed for the table tops, hardwood floors, sees through encapsulations, art works and concrete floors.

This special formula allows minimal bubbles on the floor and is smoothly applied throughout the floor.

It helps to eliminate the fish eye, crates and various other imperfections. This self-leveling floor coating epoxy gives high gloss finish and is U.V resistant. It is also water resistant.

It is fully safe once it is fully and properly cured. It has low odor gives a crystal clear, high gloss and rock solid finish. It is very easy to mix and apply. Moreover its maintenance is also very easy.

What We Like!
  • Self-Leveling
  • High gloss finish
  • Crystal clear and rock solid
  • U.V resistant
  • Water resistant
  • Minimal Bubbles
  • Easy to mix and apply
  • Affordable
Things to Consider!
  • Takes more time to dry

6. Painter’s Touch Latex Paint, Quart, Gloss Clear (Acrylic)

See at Amazon!

Salient Features
  • Acrylic formula
  • Resists chips
  • Coverage area 120 sq ft
  • UV resistant
  • Gloss finish

Overview

The painter’s touch latex paint is designed for a variety of surfaces which includes wood, metal, plaster, masonry, and unglazed ceramics.

It is water based acrylic formula which resists chips and provides long lasting protection and durability of the floor.

It is UV resistant, non-yellowing, tough, and chip resistant; it seals, protects, and revitalizes the floor. Its gloss finish provides a new look to the surfaces, it goes on smoothly and also provides excellent hide.

It covers an area of up to 120 sq. ft., and it dries to touch in 30 min for quick project completion.

Before applying this coating to the surfaces, rub the surface with sand paper, then wash the surface with a degreaser and allow the surface to dry, after that apply the coating on the floor.

This is equally useful for indoor and outdoor floors. Its maintenance is also easy.

What We Like!
  • Low odor
  • Resist chips
  • UV resistant
  • Non-Yellowing
  • Dries quickly
  • Gloss finish
Things to Consider!
  • Avoid excessive brushing as this will reduce film thickness and protection.
  • Little thinner

Garage Floor Coatings vs. Garage Floor Coverings

Garage floor coatings, are commonly available in either paint or epoxy.  Garage floor paints give your floor a new look while protecting its surface from damages, oil spills, and moisture.

Garage floor coatings, including the Ploycuramine, Polyurethane, Polyaspartic, polyurea, and epoxies.

Garage floor coverings, offered in floor mats or tiles, are removable protective solutions that shield your existing floor from scuff marks and oil stains.

Floor tiles like the interlock to resurface and protect damaged garage floors. Garage floor mats are easy to install, rolling onto your existing concrete slab to create a durable and easy-to-clean surface.

While garage floor coverings are more convenient, they aren’t as durable as their garage coating.


Buying Guide

Before selecting the right floor coating for your garage or commercial floor, the following factors must be considered.

Installation/Application

The installation/application of floor coating depends on the model of the coating being used. Some coatings require a single coat, while others require a double coat to give a high gloss finish. Some are very easy to mix and apply others require some expert to mix and apply the coating on the floor.

Some coatings dry faster and are quickly ready to walk on and drive on the floor. Some coatings take more time to dry and walk on and drive on. You must select the coating keeping in view its application and drying time.

Self-Leveling

Self-leveling characteristic of the floor coating should also be considered while selecting the right floor coating.

Coverage

Coverage is another important factor to be considered while selecting the right floor coating, coverage is measured in square feet. Some coatings cover more than 500 sq ft area and another covers less area. Epoxies normally cover less than 200 square feet of the area. You must select the right coating keeping in mind the covered area of the garage.

Garage use

Garage use should also be considered while selecting the right floor coating. Some garages are meant for simple use; here the simple epoxy or less expensive floor coating will be enough.

If your garage is modern and provides high tech maintenance and services then you need a floor coating that exhibits high abrasive resistance and anti-cracking characteristics.

Your floor coating must also be chemical, heat, and water resistant to perform high maintenance of vehicles. It should also be UV resistant.

High Glossy Finish

High gloss finish of the floor should also be considered while selecting a good quality coating. A final layer of floor coating does more than just protect the underlying floor.

It also adds an attractive shiny coating. Doing this provides additional depth to the floor which makes it feel thicker. The glossy finish looks smooth and shiny, enhancing the overall beauty of the room.

Maintenance

Maintenance of the floor should also be considered while selecting the right floor coatings. Normally the epoxies and other floor coating give a high gloss finish which is very easy to maintain.

Final Word

Clear coating is applied over the existing layer of paint or epoxy of the garage floor to give it a shiny, glossy, and deep look. It also enhances the overall beauty of the garage floor.

The clear coatings also resist UV rays, chemicals, heat, and water. These coatings also exhibit high abrasion resistance. These coatings are also provided with anti, slip, anti-cracking scuff resisting characteristics.

We have discussed above different kinds of floor coatings which include the Polycuramine floor coating, minerals based coating, acrylic, polyurethane floor coating, polyaspartic, and ployurea floor coating.

These coatings slightly differ in their characteristics and applications. Some are applied in a single coat, others are applied in double. Some provide a high gloss finish while others provide a semi-gloss finish.

All the clear coatings discussed above provide a protective layer to the existing and also enhance the beauty and look of the garage floor.

Every garage is meant for the different nature of the work.  So choose the best clear coat for your garage floor keeping in mind the coverage area of the floor, garage use, and maintenance of the floor.

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You may also love to read these my reviews and the buying guides…


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best Best Clear Coat for the Garage Floor?

Here is a list of of top rated for the best clear coat for a garage in 2022;

  1.  Rocksolid Polycuramine Garage Floor Coating (Polycuramine)
  2. Pearlescent Garage Floor Coating (Minerals Based)
  3. Varathane Gallon Gloss Waterborne Diamond Floor Finish (Polyurethane)
  4. High-Gloss, Protective, Polyaspartic Concrete Coating (Polyaspartic)
  5. Clear Table Top Epoxy Resin (Epoxy)
  6. Painter’s Touch Latex Paint, Quart, Gloss Clear (Acrylic)

Can an epoxy clear coat be applied over a layer of epoxy?

This type of coating works excellently over the existing layer of paint or epoxy and provides a durable, protective, and glossy finish.

Can we apply an epoxy clear coat over polyurethane?

Epoxy does not mix very well with polyurethane, so this is not recommended. You could rather use a clear polyurethane top coat for this purpose.

Why Apply a Clear Coat Over Epoxy Garage Floors?

A clear coat is a protective finish to help maintain the floor surface. It will improve the floor’s level of durability, and help to resist scratches, water, and chemical spills. It also enhances the overall beauty of the garage floor.

Are Clear coats good on countertops?

A clear coat finish will enhance and protect countertops. This coating will make the surfaces look brand new, and sparkle with new life. The clear coating works over many surfaces and is a great way to revamp an old kitchen.

How long will floor coating last?

A clear coating floor’s lifespan depends on a variety of factors, including the amount of foot traffic and maintenance it receives. For most residential uses, clear coating floors will last between 10 and 20 years before needing to be replaced.

What is the benefit of an epoxy garage floor?

Applying a coat of clear coat on your garage floor has a variety of benefits, including its creation of an impact-, stain-, and crack-resistant surface. In addition to their durable qualities, clear coated floors are also moisture-resistant to prevent mold buildup and come in a variety of colors to match your garage’s design.

David Houghton
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