Replies

1. 
   PHILLK | Oct 14, 2005 04:31pm | #1

   Go with a cat-alized epoxy surface. They have all colors, speckled flecks, and granuals that can make your slab look like the floor of an engine room! My experience with off the shelf paints for concrete has been that in time, the paint will lift, peel off, or get so grungy looking you'll wish you never did it. I'd talk to a local distributor or installer, you might even be able to purchass their product for a DIY project.

   Good luck
   You might want to post this at Breaktime.

   Phil

   
   

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   Edited 10/14/2005 9:32 am by PHILLK

2. 
   Glaucon | Oct 14, 2005 06:58pm | #2

   I'm not sure that a concrete paint/epoxy finish alone will solve your problem.  Generally, when a cat pees "out of the box" it is to mark territory- this is particularly true if the cat is not fixed or was bred and fixed later in life.  Typically a cat will return to the same place to mark and pee over and over again. For completeness you should do the obvious things- make sure that there is a litter box near at hand and that it is clean, and that the cat is healthy (no diabetes or UTIs- this is particularly important in older animals).

   If you do decide to refinish the floor, you should probably take steps afterwards to make it less attractive to the cat.  Any of the "favorite spots" should be addessed.  There are commercial repellants sold in pet stores, but I've had good luck with the orange oil floor cleaner.  I've used it after cleaning up "accidents" on hard wood floors.  It's humane, inexpensive, smells good, is easy to apply and cats really don't like citrus odors and tend to avoid it.  Lemon oil and similar scents also work. 

   Glaucon

   If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...

3. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 14, 2005 07:09pm | #3

   ok

   20 years in the concrete business here!  Acid etch the floor, and any epoxy coating will do the trick.  The inexpensive paint on variety from your local home center will seal the floor, as long as it is epoxy based.

   Jeff

1. 
   ohcomeon | Oct 14, 2005 07:16pm | #4

   Jeff, on a similar note, in an older garage w/ oil/grease/coolant/etc stains what kind of prep is needed to make that kind of epoxy adhere?

1. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 15, 2005 01:15am | #6

   Acid etching is the way to go.  If you have a local contractor's supply house  (NOT home depot), they'll sell a chemical for cleaning and prep work.  Follow the directions and BE CAREFUL.  Acid burns are no fun, I know 1st hand.  If you are into mixology, than a muriatic acid/water mix will do the trick.  Just remember to ALWAYS add the acid to the water, NOT the water to the acid.  (Remember high school chemistry???)  Make sure you rinse it well, and ask if they have a neutralizing agent.  Most epoxy coatings (commercial ones, anyway)  will usually recommend an exact chemical solution for prep work.

   Be careful.

   Jeff

1. 
   kenwerner | Oct 15, 2005 01:26am | #7

   thanks for your advice. I'm a workin' up the courage to tackle the acid.Any specific products for the epoxy finish?Ken Werner

1. 
   JeffHeath | Oct 16, 2005 12:26am | #8

   The epoxy coatings we use are sprayed on, and require a license and a commercial account with the mfg. co. to purchase.  However, for a garage floor, I don't think you need a product that would be installed in a commercial application.

   Jeff

2. 
   Grits | Oct 16, 2005 06:51am | #9

   I have used the products referenced by Jeff.  He is on target.  Also, I grew up in the concrete business.

   Grits

4. 
   WillGeorge | Oct 14, 2005 10:22pm | #5

   I think that string stuck in him/her?