Here's some more specific information about the UCoatIt epoxy paint, paint flecks, and urethane coating. I did a few interior basement closets too, and it added up to about 900 sq ft.
While the project is fresh in my mind here are some things to watch out for.
1) You will need a roller screen, the sort that hangs inside the 5 gallon bucket, otherwise you'll waste time spreading lots of drips.
2) This is not a particularly easy project. I've done dozens of home repair projects of all sorts, and this one is a little tricky. The epoxy dries quickly, and since you can't just run to the store and buy more paint, you end up worrying about coverage.
3) You definitely want a helper. One person paints near the trim, the other can use the roller. The quantity of paint they recommend is sufficient for the job, and it is easy to get advice when you need it by calling them.
4) The first coat, i.e. the bond coat is put on a damp floor, but it is tricky to get the floor uniformly damp without creating puddles. You'll need a squeegy to get rid of puddles you accidentally create. If you end up putting it on too thin, don't worry, just put another coat on to that the first coat ends up looking more or less uniform.
5) The second coat is much more like conventional painting except for the tossing on paint chips.
6) The urethane coat is the easiest to spread, it stays wet a bit longer, so it isn't hard to blend into previously covered areas (unlike colored coats). The fumes from this layer are really nasty. I hope I will be able to relearn my multiplication tables.
7) To add insult to injury, I didn't realize that nothing in my house dissolves the wet urethane. I tried soap, water, paint thinner, finger nail polish remover, and some sort of citrus cleaning solution. Ultimately the stuff dries, and at least for the time being, my hands are impervious to a wide range of chemical stains, and should even hold up to automobile traffic.
This is the sort of project that would be easier to do the second time. Not counting removing stuff from the garage, the whole project took me and a helper about 25 hours. This was for 900 sq. ft. and we were extremely careful about preparing the floor. We got the oil stains out with many washings with Simple Green, we pressure washed it, and of course, acid washed it. Muriatic acid is impressive stuff. Dilute it 5 to 1, and it instantly dissolves a thin layer of concrete on contact. I'm glad that I can't report what it does to skin or lungs.
All in all, I'm really impressed with UCoatIt. They provide whatever support you need, and they are easy to contact by their toll-free number. I don't know about competing epoxy products, but this one seems excellent. It doesn't have much odor. It is water-based, and since it is absorbed into the damp concrete, it should do a superb job of bonding.
