Shop Time - Floors and Lift

[ZR1FUN]

Well guys it has been forever since I posted but it is getting time again. I am now retired, have my shop built and need some practical insite into floor sealing and a lift. I will post pictures when the cabinets, lift and vettes are installed in a couple of months.

I do not want to spend my lift money on my floor looks. My current plan is Rustoleum epoxy on the floor and a 4 post lift.

I noticed Jeffvette recently commented on lifts that the 2 post was a better deal. My concern with the 2 post is the amount of strain placed on the concrete slab when lifting a car. Does a 2 post require special foundations? Can you store a car on the 2 post lift or does it damage the suspension when not under load? My concrete floor tested out at 5,000 PSI.

Appreciate your guys opinions on both

PS Jeff when are you going to fix my clutch slave?

Doug

[flyin ryan]

Originally Posted by ZR1FUN

Well guys it has been forever since I posted but it is getting time again. I am now retired, have my shop built and need some practical insite into floor sealing and a lift. I will post pictures when the cabinets, lift and vettes are installed in a couple of months.

I do not want to spend my lift money on my floor looks. My current plan is Rustoleum epoxy on the floor and a 4 post lift.

I noticed Jeffvette recently commented on lifts that the 2 post was a better deal. My concern with the 2 post is the amount of strain placed on the concrete slab when lifting a car. Does a 2 post require special foundations? Can you store a car on the 2 post lift or does it damage the suspension when not under load? My concrete floor tested out at 5,000 PSI.

Appreciate your guys opinions on both

PS Jeff when are you going to fix my clutch slave?

Doug

Good to hear your well, Doug . Generally two post's are more for working on cars, four post's more for storing...although both can be done with either. One question...what do you need one for if Jeff's working on your car ....

[RICHARD TILL]

Doug, I made my living as a cement mason for 20 years and have poured many floors that lifts were planned to be used. In the area where lift is to be anchored i would dig a 3` by 3` hole at least 12" thick. In the bottom 1/3 of the depth i would suspend a rebar mat. That may be overkill but one has never failed. Its not very expensive either. Another precaution i would do is pour at least a 4000 PSI mix. You`ve allready got the strength at 5000 PSI so your concern would be how thick is the floor where the bolts are to be placed. Needless to say, fewer precautions would have to be taken with a four post. If you put a coating on the floor have it clean enough to eat off of and dry before you do it. You can even use a mixture of water and muratic acid to clean and the acid will actually etch the floor for better bonding. Put some rubber boots on, wet the floor, pour a little acid on it, scrub until clean with a broom and then hose it off. Let it dry and you`re good to go.

[soslow]

Doug,
I had a problem with my garage floor at my home in that the concrete was very old and probably wouldn't take a coat of epoxy, so I went to Costco and bought enough rubber 3x5 black welcome mats to completely cover the floor. Now the floor is clean and if it gets soiled, I lift up the dirty one and powerwash it. For general maintenance I just shop vac it. An added bonus us that with my ZR-1 had new Goodyears on it and it sits alot in the colder months. With the tires only in contact with the rubber floor mats instead of concrete I feel that they may last a wee bit longer. An added bonus is that when my wife kicks me out of the house, I have a padded floor to sleep on!

[Scrrem]

I can't really speak for the lift (haven't gotten mine...yet) but I just coated my garage floor with UCoat-it and it came out pretty good. The stuff is not cheap though...see this thread...

http://www.zr1netregistry.com/forum/...ead.php?t=9927

For a 24x24 garage it was about $530.00 for the expoxy coat and the clear finish coat. Time will tell how it holds up. I plan on going with a 4 post lift for my garage.

Rich

[key_on]

I've been real happy with my All American lift. Had it for just over a year. Seems like good quality.

[ZR1Vette]

Doug...first welcome to retirement... I did the same about a year ago and am enjoying things very much.

I went with the UCoatIt system for the floor and after 5 years is doing quite well...just a few small spots where finish lifted.

I went from a mid rise lift (Snap On)>>


to a four post lift (Direct Lift Pro 8)>>>


The concrete floor needs to be 6" thick and most pours meet that spec...that is the advantage of the 4 post over the two post plus you do not need to anchor (bolt down) the 4 post lift. The Direct Lift comes with casters so you can even move the lift around (sans having a car on it). Must options are the aluminum ramps (comes with steel but they weigh 46 lbs each compared to 18 lbs each for the aluminum) and the sliding hydraulic jack which allows for lifting of the car off its wheels>>>


If you are interested in more info/lift types this is a good link>>
http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/

[96LT4]

Superior Lift, works perfectly for 5+ years.

The flooring is 2 part Epoxy from Sherwin Williams...about $250 total not incling beer for the labor friends.