Painting the floor

[Rainier70]

Now I have some questions on flooring. I have been searching the site, and some of you have painted your CT floors. How has that worked out? Some dos and don'ts? Good products to use? Any plus or minus thoughts? Anyone use clear floor finish? Cost and comparison to other floors? Vinyls? Interlocking tiles? linoleum?

Does anyone really love or hate their flooring? Any flooring thoughts or suggestions are welcome!

On any of the flooring was there a smell or odor that lingered for a while?

Thank you all for being so willing to share, and for all of the builds that you have taken the time to photograph and post.

[jwhite]

I made alot of mistakes and one of them was flooring I started out with the peel and stick and it looked great for a year but after that dirt would get between them and started comming up, so I pulled that up and bought a large roll of vinyl and because it had some of the sticky stuff left over from the old flooring I had a hard time getting it in place and actually riped it trying to get it in place.
I didn't like it because it had some places where it looked like large air bubbles were trapped under it and it just really bugged me that it wasn't laying flat, so I put down the engineered wood flooring and it looks great because I was going for a highend looking floor and that is what I got and I love it, it cost around 100.00 for my 7x16 I bought a cheaper type but you can buy any price.
I like what I have but if I were to do it again I would spend a little more and have a better looking floor, but that's just me I wanted that type look.

[Rainier70]

I like the engineered wood look! But we will be hauling a large motorcycle some of the time. I would be afraid of how it would hold up to the bike???

Good to know on the problems with the sticky tiles and vinyl mat. Thanks

[Gonefishin]

I used Minn Wax Polyurethane clear gloss on my plywood floor. Rolled on one coat, brushed the corners, let it dry a few hours, and added the second coat. I LOVE it. Easy to sweep out. Doesn't stain. I camp with two large Labrador Retrievers who are allowed in and out, wet or dry. I go in and out with muddy waders. I just sweep it out. I have throw rugs covering the floor in a couple spots too. They get dirtier than the painted floor and need to be shaken out and cleaned every so often. I like the look of the wood instead of some kind of flooring. You can damp mop it too if you want it squeaky clean, or perhaps to get rid of tire stains in your case. I have a large cooler that sits in one area, and the poly has not scuffed in two years. Not sure how a motorcycle would fare. I've put a bicycle in mine, but it left no trace at all.

If I bought a new trailer tomorrow, I'd do the same thing without question.

[roadinspector]

I used Rustoleum Epoxy Paint. This stuff is made for concrete garage floors. It is not recommended for wood floors. I researched it on several other forums. Racers like it and have not had any problems. My wood floor already was painted and you could see several typical age cracks in it. They did not go away but the floor is sealed. The reason for choosing this was I haul a bike too. I had a tie down strap let go on my last trip Gas was dumped on the floor. It cleaned up easily and did not soak into the floor. I left the door open for a while and it aired out quickly. It is not perfect but so far I am very happy with it.



Earnest

[Rainier70]

Thank you, Jim and Earnest, for the replies. We have been leaning mostly toward paint or finish..Just need to know the pros and cons over time. Good to know that they are wearing so well. The garage epoxy is one we were looking at, but I like the look of wood or wood finish. I was concerned about how well it would wear though with everything from bikes, Renegade raft, to waders.


On a side note: I do a lot of fishing too, and even frequent some of the forums you are on, Jim. I have learned much from your wisdom. Love your blog too! Now if I could just find some of your secret creeks.......!

[Gonefishin]

Pm me and maybe we can rendezvous on a creek or two. They're all public except a couple of pay-to-plays. MT, ID, and WYO. July is my main month, some of August-October too. Where are you at?

[Keystone]

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

[rinn69]

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

Just add the anti-slip grit to the garage floor epoxy...maybe double-up on it

[Gonefishin]

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

I used some of this Durabak bed liner/boat liner/sidewalk liner on the floor of my commercial fishing boat, and its been really bomb proof, waterproof, and very non-skid. I have fishermen standing on it in the rain, snow, and ice. Nobody has slipped yet. I have 3 deep cycle battery boxes mounted on top of it, and a bench seat as well. The company is out of Denver, and will ship to you direct, with detailed instructions. It was pretty easy to roll onto the plywood floor of my boat. They were very helpful with a couple of emails I sent prior to buying it too.

I wouldn't want it on the floor of my "cushy" trailer where I walk around bare foot, but again, I'm not hauling bikes or boats inside it either. You could use rugs where you walk the most if needed.
http://www.durabakcompany.com/automotive.htm?gclid=CMq60vfYvrUCFY97QgodSXcAOA

[roadinspector]

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

Just add the anti-slip grit to the garage floor epoxy...maybe double-up on it

I added the anti-slip to mine and it works great. I went light on the floor and heavy on the ramp. It has not been on a year yet but is wearing well and has been thru high and low temps with no adverse cracking or peeling.

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

http://www.durabakcompany.com/automotive.htm?gclid=CMq60vfYvrUCFY97QgodSXcAOA

I looked at that too. It cost more than I really wanted to spend at the time. I suffer from improvementitis so I wouldn't be surprised if I don't install it in a year or two. Thanks for the on it. Always good to hear from someone that has actually used the product.

Earnest

[Keystone]

I'm looking at using the roll on truck bed liner for my floor. Need something I won't slip on getting the bikes into the trailer and that is tough.

I used some of this Durabak bed liner/boat liner/sidewalk liner on the floor of my commercial fishing boat, and its been really bomb proof, waterproof, and very non-skid. I have fishermen standing on it in the rain, snow, and ice. Nobody has slipped yet. I have 3 deep cycle battery boxes mounted on top of it, and a bench seat as well. The company is out of Denver, and will ship to you direct, with detailed instructions. It was pretty easy to roll onto the plywood floor of my boat. They were very helpful with a couple of emails I sent prior to buying it too.

I wouldn't want it on the floor of my "cushy" trailer where I walk around bare foot, but again, I'm not hauling bikes or boats inside it either. You could use rugs where you walk the most if needed.
http://www.durabakcompany.com/automotive.htm?gclid=CMq60vfYvrUCFY97QgodSXcAOA

Thanks. I'll look into. Area rug is already obtained for the exact reason you mentioned.

[Rainier70]

I may have to go with bedliner, garage finish or epoxy with added grit type too. I would prefer floor finish, but I hadn't thought about it being slippery for the bike. Unless anyone knows of an inexpensive pad to put over a floor for the less frequent times a bike would be hauled??

[hankaye]

Rainier70, Howdy;

When I drove over the road some of the shippers would use a foam mat to keep things from
doin' the slip-n-slide while I was relocating them from point A to point B.
http://www.southernbracing.com/Rubber-Mats.html
Perhaps, you might find soe near you.
OR, .... some of these;
http://www.homedepot.com/Bath-Bathroom- ... chNav=true

just a few quick ideas.

hank

[Rainier70]

Thanks, Hank. You got me looking in the right direction. Now to find something in a smaller amount.

I think something like this mat might work. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000TG ... automotive

It is 2 ft by 20.. If I cut it in half I would have 4 ft X 10ft which would be plenty to both protect whatever floor I use, and it will provide a good traction surface for the bike.

With a mat for the bike I could put in whatever floor or finish, and not have to be as concerned with damage to the floor or slipperiness. Hmmmm I like where this is going.