In this step-by-step guide I’ll walk you through how to get a durable, industrial-grade finish on a concrete garage floor using Sherwin-Williams Armorseal 1000 HS — the same process I demonstrate in a Trusted House Painter video with Melissa McKenna from Sherwin‑Williams. If you want a coating that stands up to hot tires, heavy traffic, and years of use, the secret is in the prep and the right product.
Why proper prep is non-negotiable
When you park a hot car in your garage and the tires move even a little, that’s one of the harshest stresses you can place on a coating — you’re literally grinding the coating with abrasive rubber. The best product in the world won’t perform if the surface isn’t prepped properly. The #1 rule: prep, prep, prep.
Tools and materials you’ll need
- 17-inch diamond grinder (and a small grinder for corners)
- Pressure washer or hose for rinsing
- Acid etch solution
- Sherwin-Williams Armorseal 1000 HS (two kits: primer and top coat)
- Recommended solvent thinner (manufacturer recommends a specific thinner for thinning and cleanup)
- Rollers, sprayer tips, PPE (gloves, respirator, eye protection)
Step-by-step surface preparation
Follow these steps exactly — skipping any of them increases the chance your coating will fail.
- Mechanically profile the concrete. Rent a diamond grinder and lightly grind the entire surface. Use the larger 17-inch pads for open areas and a small grinder to get into corners. The goal is to remove stains and create a consistent profile for the coating to bite into.
- Rinse thoroughly. After grinding, rinse the garage to remove dust and debris.
- Allow to dry 3–5 days. This is critical. Concrete holds moisture and after rinsing you must let the floor dry completely. The worst thing you can do is trap moisture or oils beneath the coating — that will prevent the bond.
- Acid etch to open pores. Even after rinsing there will be microscopic concrete particles left. Apply an acid etch solution to dissolve those particles and increase the profile. This helps the material penetrate and bond.
- Rinse again and re‑dry for another 3 days. Yes, this is a process, but follow it and your floor will be massively more durable.
What to expect from Armorseal 1000 HS
Armorseal 1000 HS is a solvent‑based industrial epoxy polyurethane used in bunkers, warehouses — and yes, even private airplane floors. It’s designed for extreme durability. All Sherwin‑Williams industrial products include full technical data sheets with mixing instructions, recommended application temperatures, and the optimal roller or spray tips.
Mixing and application: a simple two‑coat system
- Primer coat (thin): Thin Armorseal 1000 by about 10% with the manufacturer-recommended thinner. This very thin first coat acts like a primer — it flows into the tiniest crevices and creates the initial bond layer.
- Wait time: Allow the thin primer to set. Typical recommended wait is about 6–8 hours (follow the product data sheet for exact “sweat-in” time and temperature windows).
- Top coat (full strength): Apply the full 100% top coat once the primer window allows. If you’re familiar with epoxies, treat this like the typical recoat window where you can “sweat in” rather than sand back.
For a normal one‑car garage, expect roughly 500 sq ft coverage per coat per kit — plan on two kits (one thinned primer kit + one top coat kit) for complete coverage. The product is solvent‑based; cleanup and thinning require the correct solvent (the rep mentioned a thinner like “R7K15” but always confirm with the product data sheet).
Safety and curing
Because Armorseal 1000 HS is solvent‑based, work in a well‑ventilated area and use appropriate PPE (respirators, gloves, eye protection). Be mindful of ambient temperature and humidity — the product data sheet will give you the exact ranges to get the best cure.
A bold claim — and why it’s realistic
“If you do this process you will be able to drive your tractor trailer through your garage and park on top of it.”
That’s a bold statement, but the point is: when you mechanically profile, etch, thoroughly dry, and use a true industrial product applied correctly, the result is a coating that outperforms typical retail paints and thin floor paints. Armorseal 1000 HS is built for that heavy-duty performance.
Quick checklist before you start
- Have the right grinder and pads on site
- Plan for two full drying periods (3–5 days each after rinse)
- Confirm the correct thinner and cleanup solvent
- Buy two kits (primer + top coat) and the appropriate tools (rollers or sprayer)
- Review the product technical data sheet for temperatures and pot life
Final tips
If you want a durable, long‑lasting garage floor, prioritize prep and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for thinning, recoat windows, and curing. If a true industrial solution is more than you need, Sherwin‑Williams also offers retail porch and floor products that can give good results for lighter duty garages — but they won’t match an industrial Armorseal system for toughness.
For painters and contractors: this is a professional‑grade opportunity to upsell durability to homeowners who want longevity. For homeowners: invest time in prep and don’t rush the dry/cure windows — you’ll be rewarded with a floor that performs.
Where to go next
To see the full demonstration and hear more tips from Melissa McKenna, check out the Trusted House Painter video featuring Armorseal 1000 HS. If you’re running a painting business, consider joining networks and training resources to grow your specialty services for floors and industrial coatings.
