Does the Garage Have to Be Empty for a Garage Floor Coating Installation?
January 3, 2025
Planning a garage floor coating installation can bring up a lot of questions, and one of the most common is: “Does the garage need to be completely empty?” The short answer is yes, but don’t worry—clearing your garage doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Spray ’n Coat Painting, our goal is to deliver exceptional results, and we firmly believe that "planning is the key to success." That’s why we offer guidance and support, including coordinating storage solutions and movers, to make the process stress-free. Here’s what you need to know to ensure a seamless project and a flawless floor coating.
Why the Garage Needs to Be Empty
An empty garage is essential for ensuring the highest quality results. Here’s why:
- Surface Preparation: Proper preparation is the foundation of a durable coating. Our process includes diamond grinding to remove dirt, oil, and surface imperfections while creating the perfect texture for the coating to adhere. If items are left in the garage, it’s impossible to prepare every inch of the concrete properly.
- Unobstructed Application: An empty garage ensures our team can work efficiently, applying the coating evenly without interruptions or having to work around obstacles. This helps achieve a smooth, professional finish.
- Protecting Your Belongings: Coating applications involve specialized equipment and materials that can create dust and splatter. Clearing the garage prevents accidental damage to your possessions.
- Full Coverage: Leaving items in place can lead to incomplete coating coverage, impacting the durability and aesthetics of your garage floor.
How to Handle Larger Items
While most items can be temporarily moved to another space, certain large or immovable objects like refrigerators, safes, and water softeners require special consideration. Here’s how to manage them:
Refrigerators and Freezers:
- Option 1: Relocate Temporarily: Move your fridge to a covered outdoor area or another room in the house. Be sure to plug it in to keep its contents cold.
- Option 2: Plan for Empty Space: If relocating isn’t possible, let us know in advance. We can apply the coating around the base, ensuring seamless coverage while accommodating the appliance.
Safes:
- Assess Mobility: If the safe can be moved, relocate it temporarily to ensure complete coating application.
- Leave in Place: For extremely heavy or bolted safes, we’ll work around them and ensure the surrounding area is properly prepped and coated.
Water Softeners or Water Heaters:
- Temporarily Disconnect: If it’s feasible, these units can be disconnected and moved. Always consult a professional for safe handling.
- Work Around: If disconnection isn’t an option, we’ll carefully coat around these fixtures to maintain the integrity of the surrounding floor.
Coordinating Storage and Movers
At Spray ’n Coat Painting, we aim to make preparation as convenient as possible. Through our partnership with Storage Cubbies, we can help you coordinate a storage pod for temporary belongings. Need assistance with heavy lifting? We can also coordinate professional movers to handle large or bulky items, ensuring your garage is completely cleared without added stress.
Tips for Garage Prep
Clearing your garage might feel daunting, but these tips can make the process easier:
- Start Early: Begin decluttering a few days in advance to avoid last-minute stress.
- Use a Storage Pod: Portable storage units from our partners at Storage Cubbies are a convenient way to temporarily store your belongings.
- Enlist Help: Friends, family, or professional movers can assist with heavy lifting or handle all the lifting if needed.
- Label and Organize: Use this opportunity to organize your items so they’re easy to return after the coating is complete.
Why Proper Prep Matters
At Spray ’n Coat Painting, we’re committed to delivering garage floor coatings that not only look incredible but also stand the test of time. Proper preparation, including an empty workspace, is key to achieving:
- Maximum Adhesion: A clean, obstruction-free surface ensures the coating bonds perfectly to the concrete.
- Long-Term Durability: A flawless application prevents peeling, chipping, or cracking over time.
- Seamless Aesthetics: An empty garage allows for smooth, consistent coverage without interruptions.
High-Quality Floor Coatings in Boise, Meridian, and Nampa
Whether you’re upgrading your garage with polyurea, polyaspartic, or professional-grade epoxy coatings, our team has the expertise to handle your project from start to finish. Serving the Boise-Metro area and the greater Treasure Valley, Spray ’n Coat Painting provides top-tier floor coatings backed by expert prep work and attention to detail.
Ready to Transform Your Garage?
Contact Spray ’n Coat Painting today to schedule your free on-site estimate. Let us help you create a durable, stunning garage floor that enhances both the look and function of your space.
Full exterior repaint brings new life to a Nampa neighborhood home At Spray ’n Coat Painting, we know that color can completely change how a home feels. For this Nampa homeowner, it was time to say goodbye to the dated tan and bring in something brighter and more cheerful. A full exterior repaint in a fresh pastel green paired with crisp ultra-pure white trim gave this home a lively new look while still feeling timeless in the neighborhood. The Scope Complete exterior repaint with repairs and prep This project involved a full repaint of the siding, trim, fascia, soffits, gutters, downspouts, and doors. Before painting, our crew filled holes along the right side of the home where an old cable had been removed, reinstalled the dryer vent, and backrolled the entire bottom edge of the home for smooth, even coverage. The System Durable coatings and careful prep for lasting results We applied pastel green as the body color, matching the soffits, front door, garage doors, and man doors to keep a clean, consistent look. The window trim, fascia, and gutters were finished in ultra-pure white for a bright, modern contrast. To ensure proper adhesion, we also primed the factory-finished gutters before painting.
A high-performance floor system for a large 2,400 sq. ft. shop We recently completed a floor coating project in Marsing for a homeowner with a spacious 2,400 sq. ft. shop. With a space this large, the homeowner needed a floor that could handle heavy use, resist staining, and still look professional. They reached out to Spray ’n Coat Painting for a better-than-epoxy solution that would be durable, easy to maintain, and visually appealing. Here’s What We Did Surface Prep and Grinding: We started by diamond grinding the entire shop floor to open up the concrete and create a proper surface for adhesion. Any imperfections were repaired to ensure the coating bonded securely. Base Coat and Decorative Flake: Once the surface was prepped, we applied our industrial-grade polyurea base coat, followed by a full broadcast of our popular Keystone chip blend. This decorative flake system not only adds traction but also provides a clean, modern look that complements a wide range of shop uses. Protective Topcoat: To finish, we installed a UV-stable polyaspartic topcoat. This protective layer seals everything in, delivering long-term resistance against abrasions, chemicals, and Idaho’s extreme temperature swings, while also making the floor much easier to clean.
A sleek cabinet makeover with soft-close upgrades and a professionally painted finish When this Meridian homeowner reached out, they had already attempted to repaint their kitchen cabinets on their own—but weren’t happy with how things were turning out. They knew they wanted a crisp, professional look and upgraded functionality. That’s where our cabinet refinishing team stepped in. We refinished all 16 cabinet doors and 14 drawer fronts in a rich charcoal hue, paired with new soft-close micro hinges to give the entire space a polished, high-end feel. The darker tone added contrast and elegance, creating the elevated finish they had originally envisioned. The Scope A full kitchen cabinet repaint with soft-close hardware installation This project included: 16 cabinet doors 14 drawer fronts Removal of old hinges and installation of new soft-close micro hinges All surfaces were cleaned, sanded, primed, and professionally sprayed using our factory-grade cabinet finish system for long-term durability and a beautiful satin sheen. The System A smooth, durable finish designed for everyday use We used a premium 2K waterborne polyurethane system from Gemini that cures harder and holds up better than traditional lacquer finishes. Unlike pre-cat lacquers or conversion varnishes that may yellow or crack over time, this cabinet-grade system resists chipping and stays looking new for years to come.
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Spray ’n Coat Painting recently completed a wood door refinishing project for a homeowner in Middleton, Idaho. Over time, their beautiful solid wood front door had faded and weathered from sun exposure—something we see often across the Treasure Valley. But rather than replace the door, the homeowner reached out to us to restore its appearance and match the interior wood tones for a cohesive look inside and out. Here’s What We Did We began by carefully sanding the front door and surrounding trim to remove the worn finish and prepare the surface for new stain. Before proceeding with the full application, we tested a sample stain on a small section of the door to make sure it matched the interior tones. Once approved by the homeowner, we applied stain across the entire door surface while keeping the door in place. After allowing proper dry time, we returned to apply two coats of a UV-stable clear finish. This protective layer will help preserve the color, protect against sun damage, and keep the door looking beautiful for years to come. Why Staining Is Better Than Replacing Many homeowners assume a worn or faded door needs to be replaced—but most solid wood doors just need the right restoration process. Staining not only revives the wood’s natural beauty, but also allows you to better control color tone and finish. It’s a more sustainable and cost-effective way to maintain curb appeal and protect your home’s entryway. Our UV-stable clear coats are especially important in areas like Middleton, where intense sunlight can break down traditional sealants and finishes over time.
