Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Prep for garage floor in northeast

Planning to either paint or epoxy our 2-car garage floor in NJ, near beach area. Did moisture test with a patch, no moisture coming up thru floor. Patched a crack. Now ready to prep floor and getting lots of differing advice: (1) Sand it, vacuum, thin out floor paint and use as sealer and then paint w/ floor paint, was one. (2) Another said to etch floor first, then epoxy. (3) Still another said just wash w/ TSP and hose out [That's a tough one since garage is drywalled and insulated], dry, and paint. (4) Another said we should use penetrating moisture-sealer first, before either painting or epoxying.
Garage is not now used for car traffic, but selling house in 2-3 yrs and new owner might. Want it to still look good. Current concrete floor has paint spots, etc. but no oil stains. Advice? Thanks.

Welcome to the forums!

No matter what coating you decide to use - it's imperitive that the concrete be clean! If the floor is slick [not porous] you need to acid etch and rinse well. If the floor finish is somewhat porous - washing with tsp may be sufficent. There is no getting around using water to rinse!

I prefer to use a concrete stain because prep isn't quite as critical and while it will wear away over time/use, it won't peel. A stain may not completely cover any paint drips/spots, so these should be scraped off first.

Thanks! Never thought of staining it...will def. consider. Floor is not slick (if slick is like Home Depot's floor! <smile>) but there are a bunch of stains, etc. all over. If I did decide to sand those out first, can I just stain over top of that or is a sealer needed first? Thanks again.

I doubt you will do much good with a sander unless you mean to rent a scarator which basically removes a thin top layer of concrete. I've had good results using a commercial grease removing detergent and a pressure washer.

Without seeing the grease stains or knowing the color/type of stain you plan to use, it is hard to say if/how noticable they will be if you stain over them. Concrete stain will seal the floor.

Thanks! Will try and will keep you posted!