Polyurea Garage Floor Coatings in Ann Arbor, MI
Upgrading Garage FLOOR COATING SYSTEMS IN ANN ARBOR with Polyurea-Polyaspartic COATINGS
On this page, we document 8 projects of garage floor coating in Ann Arbor, MI. Our dual-coating systems have converted worn concrete slabs into durable, attractive garage floors. Ann Arbor is a Washtenaw County city with a varied housing stock—from historic neighborhoods near the university to established residential streets with decades-old homes.
Many of the properties where we apply our polyurea-polyaspartic floor coating systems had accumulated the wear and tear of the harsh climate of Michigan. As you will see in these 8 case studies, our garage floor coating specialists work with concrete slabs in a wide variety of conditions: some needed only standard surface preparation. Others required significant remediation—oil extraction, moisture barrier application, and crack and pitting repair—before the polyurea and polyaspartic coats could go down. We describe the process and results, and include the before-and-after photos for each job.
Quality Garage Floor Coatings
Winter road salt, freeze-thaw cycles, automotive fluids, and daily vehicle traffic degrade unprotected garage concrete over time. The damage typically appears as oil staining, cracking, and surface pitting.
Several of our jobs of garage floor coating in Ann Arbor involved concrete with persistent oil contamination penetrating deep into the slab—a condition that grinding alone cannot resolve. Polyurea-polyaspartic systems provide reliable protection against these conditions and deliver an appearance that bare concrete or epoxy products cannot match.
The MotorCity Advantage
MotorCity Floors and Coatings specializes in professional-grade polyurea-polyaspartic systems. These dual-coating systems are replacing epoxy products constrained by older chemistry. Our systems deliver strong chemical resistance, superior durability, greater flexibility, shorter cure times, and proven UV stability that maintains color for decades. We back every installation with an industry-leading warranty.
Each project includes thorough diamond grinding preparation, flexible polyurea crack repair, and careful application to ensure consistent coverage across the full slab. When deep oil contamination is present—as our crew found at a home on Overridge Dr.—we perform oil extraction before grinding. This step prevents petroleum from migrating through the concrete and undermining the coating bond.
Ann Arbor, MI Case Studies
These 8 case studies document show the condition of the substrate, the challenges we encountered, and the steps our crew took to prepare and restore the concrete slab before applying the dual-layer system. Each project reflects a variety of conditions to be addressed, and show the consistent quality standards MotorCity Floors and Coatings applies to every installation.
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Brackley Drive
Brackley Drive — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
MotorCity Floors and Coatings installed the MC-3.7 coating system at a garage on Brackley Drive, Ann Arbor. The project covered 371 square feet of floor, two steps, and 39 linear feet of 20-inch verticals. Importantly, the concrete required no crack repair — the slab was sound throughout. Our crew applied Sandstone flakes at H-4 density with a 16-grit traction additive.
Initial Substrate Condition
The slab was in good structural condition with no cracking or spalling. Light staining from normal vehicle use appeared near the center of the floor. The vertical surfaces showed raw, unpainted concrete along the perimeter. The two entry steps were bare concrete with no previous coating.
Surface Preparation
Our crew diamond-ground the slab to open the pore structure of the concrete. The grinding removed surface laitance and any contamination from vehicle use. Our crew ran grinders with dust extraction across the full 371 square feet. Our crew ground up to the threshold at the garage door and stopped there. This boundary kept the coating inside the garage with a clean finished edge.
The two steps received the same grinding treatment as the main floor. Our crew hand-ground the step nosings and risers for full surface coverage. The vertical surfaces along the perimeter received grinding for mechanical adhesion.
Substrate Assessment: No Repairs Required
The concrete showed no cracks, pitting, or low spots requiring repair. Our crew inspected the slab after grinding and confirmed it was coat-ready. Skipping unnecessary repairs kept the project on schedule without cutting corners.
Verticals and Steps
The 20-inch verticals required care around the base of the walls. Our crew cut in the Sandstone flake system by hand along the perimeter. Our team applied the MC-3.7 base coat to the verticals before the floor. The two steps received full base coat and broadcast flake on treads and risers. The same Sandstone color ties the steps into the floor seamlessly.
MC-3.7 Coating System Application
Our crew applied the polyurea base coat by roller across the prepared floor. Our team broadcast Sandstone flakes at H-4 density into the wet base. H-4 gives a lighter, more open flake pattern than a full-broadcast finish. The warm tan-and-cream tones of Sandstone suit the garage interior well. Our crew finished with a polyaspartic top coat carrying 16-grit traction additive.
Completed Installation
The finished floor stops cleanly at the garage door threshold. The H-4 broadcast leaves visible concrete texture through the flake pattern. Sandstone reads warm under both artificial light and natural daylight. The 16-grit traction additive does not change the visual character of the top coat. The MC-3.7 system bonds directly to the concrete and resists peeling under traffic.
Technical Specifications
| Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
| Floor Area | 371 square feet |
| Vertical Coverage | 39 linear feet, 20-inch height |
| Steps | 2 (treads and risers coated) |
| Coating System | MC-3.7 polyurea-polyaspartic |
| Flake Color | Sandstone |
| Broadcast Density | H-4 |
| Traction Additive | 16-grit |
| Concrete Repairs | None required |
| Coating Boundary | Interior only — stops at garage door threshold |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Cedar Ridge Drive
Cedar Ridge Drive — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
The Cedar Ridge Dr. garage floor carried years of mixed contamination. Paint spills, vehicle fluids, and surface debris covered the full 400 square feet. MotorCity Floors and Coatings installed the MC3.8 system in Silver Creek. The scope included the main floor, three wooden entry steps, and light concrete repairs.
Initial Substrate Condition
Surface Preparation
Our crew ground the 400-square-foot slab to clear all contamination. The grinding removed paint, oil residue, and surface debris in one systematic pass. Our team vacuumed the floor between passes to prevent cross-contamination. After grinding, the concrete showed a clean, open profile ready for repair.
Crack and Joint Repair with MR-50
Grinding revealed cracks at the control joints and along the step base. Our crew applied MR-50 repair primer directly into each crack. MR-50 penetrates open cracks and bonds to the concrete from inside the void. The team worked MR-50 into the joint at the step base to seal water entry points. Treated cracks received filler after the MR-50 cured to complete each repair.
Wooden Step Preparation and Coating
The three entry steps were wood construction, not concrete. Wood requires different prep than concrete before a polyurea-polyaspartic system. Our crew cleaned and abraded each tread and riser surface by hand. Our team applied the MC3.8 base coat and Silver Creek flakes to each step. The steps match the floor color and carry the same 16-grit top coat for grip.
MC3.8 Coating System Application
Our crew rolled the polyurea base coat across the 400-square-foot slab. Our team broadcast Silver Creek flakes into the wet base coat in full coverage. Against the gray-painted walls of this garage, Silver Creek reads distinctly dark. The charcoal and white chip contrast stands out sharply in this interior. Our crew applied the polyaspartic top coat with 16-grit traction additive throughout.
Completed Installation
No paint, oil, or surface debris carries through beneath the finished coating. The MC3.8 system encapsulates all repaired cracks and treated joints. The wooden steps integrate seamlessly with the floor in Silver Creek color. The gray wall color amplifies the contrast of the dark Silver Creek surface.
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 400 square feet |
Steps | 3 wooden steps (treads and risers coated) |
Wall Verticals | None |
Prior Surface | Bare concrete — paint spills, oil, mixed contamination |
Crack Repair | MR-50 repair primer applied to cracks and joints |
Coating System | MC3.8 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Silver Creek |
Traction Additive | 16-grit |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Country Club Road
Country Club Road — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
This 707-square-foot garage on Country Club Rd had a deteriorated epoxy floor. MotorCity Floors and Coatings stripped the old coating and addressed pitting and cracks below. The project also required working around a center-slab floor drain. Our crew finished with the MC3.8 system in Silver Creek with 16-grit traction
Condition of the Existing Epoxy
Oil pooling had concentrated near the floor drain in the center of the slab. The drain area showed the heaviest surface staining of any zone in the garage. Contamination around the drain penetrated below the existing epoxy.
Epoxy Removal and Diamond Grinding
Pitting and Crack Repair
MC3.8 Coating System Application
Completed Installation
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 707 square feet |
Verticals | None |
Steps | None |
Prior Surface | Failing epoxy coating — fully stripped |
Concrete Repairs | Pitting (Mender epoxy flooding) and crack filling |
Floor Drain | Present — worked around and preserved |
Coating System | MC3.8 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Silver Creek |
Traction Additive | 16-grit |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Hensley Drive
Hensley Drive — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
This Hensley Dr. garage had freshly poured concrete ready for its first coating. MotorCity Floors and Coatings installed the MC3.8 system on 594 square feet. The scope included the main floor, 7 linear feet of step risers, and step treads. Our crew used Pebble Beach flakes with 16-grit traction in the top coat.
Surface Preparation on New Concrete
New concrete requires grinding before any coating can bond to it. Concrete curing compounds and surface laitance block direct adhesion. Our crew ground the full 594 square feet to open the slab surface. Grinding removed the curing layer and created a mechanical profile for bonding. Our team vacuumed the ground surface before any material touched the floor.
Step Risers and Treads
MC3.8 Coating System Application
Our crew rolled the polyurea base coat across the prepared slab in full. Our team broadcast Pebble Beach flakes into the wet base coat by hand. Pebble Beach combines warm tans, soft greys, and off-white chips. The tone suits garages with white or light-painted walls, as seen here. Our crew finished with a polyaspartic top coat carrying 16-grit traction additive.
Completed Installation
Starting with new concrete gave this floor a clean base from the first day. No residue, prior coatings, or staining required removal before work began. Pebble Beach reads warmer and lighter than darker blends like Silver Creek. The 16-grit texture provides reliable grip without roughening the visual finish. The MC3.8 system seals the new slab against vehicle fluids and surface wear.
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 594 square feet |
Concrete Condition | New pour — no prior coating |
Step Risers | 7 linear feet (coated) |
Wall Verticals | None |
Prior Surface Removal | None required |
Concrete Repairs | None required |
Coating System | MC3.8 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Pebble Beach |
Traction Additive | 16-grit |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Kimberley Road
Kimberley Rd — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
This Kimberley Rd garage had a failing epoxy coating in need of full replacement. MotorCity Floors and Coatings stripped the old epoxy and installed the MC3.8 system. The project covered 386 square feet with no verticals, steps, or concrete repairs. Our crew finished with Glacier flakes and a 36-grit traction additive.
Condition of the Existing Epoxy
Epoxy Removal and Surface Preparation
Our crew stripped the old epoxy using diamond grinding equipment. The grinder cut through the coating and exposed raw concrete below. Grinding also cleared the contamination that had soaked through the epoxy. Our team made multiple passes across the 386 square feet to ensure full removal.
The concrete beneath the epoxy was structurally sound with no pitting or spalling. Our crew inspected the stripped slab and confirmed no repairs were needed. The clean, open surface was ready for MC3.8 base coat application.
MC3.8 Coating System Application
Our crew rolled the polyurea base coat across the prepared slab. Our team broadcast Glacier flakes into the base coat while it remained wet. Glacier is a cool, light-grey blend with white and silver tones. The color pairs well with the painted block wall perimeter of this garage.
Our crew back-rolled the flake layer to press chips into the base coat evenly. Our team then applied the polyaspartic top coat across the full surface. A 36-grit traction additive went into the top coat for grip underfoot. 36-grit is a coarser profile than 16-grit, giving more pronounced texture.
Completed Installation
Glacier gives this floor a clean, neutral tone that brightens the interior. The full-broadcast flake pattern conceals the control joints visually. The 36-grit surface provides firm footing even in wet or icy conditions. No staining, tire tracks, or wear marks from the old coating carry through.
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 386 square feet |
Verticals | None |
Steps | None |
Prior Surface | Failing epoxy coating — fully stripped |
Coating System | MC3.8 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Glacier |
Traction Additive | 36-grit |
Concrete Repairs | None required |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Oak Ravine Court
Oak Ravine Ct — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
MotorCity Floors and Coatings coated a 17-year-old garage on Oak Ravine Ct in Ann Arbor. The floor measured 1,110 square feet with 58 linear feet of block wall verticals. Our crew installed the MC-4.9 system with Silver Creek flakes and 16-grit traction. Moisture testing confirmed no moisture barrier was necessary before coating.
Initial Substrate Condition
Moisture Testing Protocol
Our crew tested moisture levels before grinding and again after. We used a calibrated moisture reader at multiple points across the slab. The highest reading recorded was 3.8. Readings below 4.0 allow direct coating without a moisture barrier. No barrier was necessary on this project.
Surface Preparation
Our crew diamond-ground the full 1,110 square feet to open the surface. Grinding removed the laitance layer and surface contaminants. Our team vacuumed thoroughly after each pass. The block wall verticals required hand-held grinding along the perimeter.
Crack and Joint Repair
Our crew filled the control joint cracks before coating. Our team used a semi-rigid filler suited to the polyurea system above. The filler accommodates minor movement without cracking the coating.
Surface Flooding
Our crew flooded low areas of the slab to level the surface. This step eliminated minor low spots from years of wear. Our team spread and leveled the material across affected zones. The flooded areas cured fully before base coat application.
Block Wall Vertical Preparation
The 58 linear feet of block wall required separate prep and coating. Our crew hand-ground each vertical surface to create mechanical adhesion. Block masonry is porous, so our team applied a dedicated vertical primer. Our crew then coated the verticals with the same MC-4.9 system. The finished verticals tie the floor and wall into one continuous surface.
MC-4.9 Coating System Application
Our crew rolled the polyurea base coat across the prepared slab. Our team broadcast Silver Creek flakes at H-6 density into the wet base. H-6 density delivers a tight, full-coverage flake pattern across the floor. Our crew then applied the polyaspartic top coat with 16-grit traction additive.
Completed Installation
Silver Creek delivers a charcoal-and-white tone that reads clean in any light. The H-6 broadcast fills the surface with dense flake coverage. The 16-grit additive provides traction without altering the finished appearance. The MC-4.9 top coat resists abrasion, UV degradation, and chemical exposure.
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 1,110 square feet |
Vertical Coverage | 58 linear feet of block wall |
Coating System | MC-4.9 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Silver Creek |
Broadcast Density | H-6 |
Traction Additive | 16-grit |
Moisture Barrier | Not required (max reading: 3.8) |
Steps | None |
Click on the photos to enlarge them
NEW Garage Floor Coating
on Overridge Drive
Overridge Drive — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
The homeowners on Overridge Dr. contacted MotorCity Floors and Coatings for their garage. The attached 540-square-foot garage had accumulated years of vehicle use and neglect. A connected 21-square-foot workroom featured a wood floor with its own boundary condition.
Our crew identified three primary challenges before work began: oil saturation, surface damage, and elevated moisture.
The homeowners selected the Pebble Beach color in the MC4 coating system.
Initial Substrate Condition
Our crew conducted a thorough inspection of the full slab before planning the work sequence. The concrete showed crack patterns running in multiple directions across the floor. Surface pitting appeared throughout the slab, concentrated near the garage door opening.
Freeze-thaw cycles had opened and widened the surface voids over time. Oil contamination covered several distinct zones under each parking position. The dark saturation indicated petroleum had penetrated well below the concrete surface. Moisture readings near the perimeter walls exceeded acceptable levels for direct coating. That finding placed a moisture barrier in the required scope of work.
Oil Extraction
Oil penetration deep into concrete cannot be removed by grinding alone. Our crew applied a petroleum drawing compound over all contaminated areas of the slab. The compound draws petroleum molecules from within the concrete to the surface. Our team spread the material thoroughly and allowed it to cure.
After curing, they removed the compound along with the extracted oil. The treated zones then showed lighter coloration, confirming successful extraction. This step prevents residual oil from migrating through the slab and compromising adhesion.
Diamond Grinding
Our crew ran diamond grinding equipment across all 540 square feet of the garage floor. The 16-grit MC4 configuration cuts aggressively into the concrete surface. This grit level creates the profile necessary for polyurea adhesion.
Our team worked systematically from one end of the garage to the other. The grinder removed surface laitance, contamination residue, and weak material.
Our crew paid careful attention along the workroom perimeter to maintain a defined boundary. The workroom wood floor required no grinding and remained untouched throughout the process.
Concrete Repairs and Flooding
With grinding complete, our crew turned to the pitting and cracks across the floor.
They filled surface voids with a two-part polyurea mender compound. They troweled each repair flush with the surrounding concrete surface. The larger cracks received a flexible polyurea filler to accommodate minor slab movement.
After individual repairs cured, our crew flooded the entire floor with a skim coat.
The flood coat filled micro-voids and unified the surface texture across all 540 square feet.
Second Grind
After repairs cured, our crew made a second pass with the diamond grinder. This grind knocked down excess repair material and leveled the flood coat.
The floor emerged with a uniform surface profile ready for coating. Our crew vacuumed the floor thoroughly to remove all grinding dust.
Moisture Barrier
Our crew applied MR50 moisture barrier primer across the entire slab. MR50 seals the concrete against vapor transmission from below the slab. This primer protects adhesion wherever moisture readings exceed coating thresholds.
Our team allowed full cure time before proceeding to the polyurea base coat.
Polyurea Base Coat and Pebble Beach Flakes
Our crew mixed and applied the polyurea base coat across all 540 square feet. They worked in systematic, overlapping passes to achieve consistent film thickness.
While the base coat remained open, our team broadcast the Pebble Beach flake blend. The Pebble Beach palette combines tan, warm grey, and subtle earth tones.
Flakes fell across the wet surface in dense, random coverage. Our crew recovered excess flakes after the base coat reached its gel point.
Polyaspartic Clear Coat
Our crew mixed the polyaspartic clear coat following precise component ratios. They incorporated traction additive throughout the material before application. The traction additive improves grip on the finished floor surface.
Our team applied the clear coat in even passes across the entire area. The clear coat locks the flake layer and provides surface durability.
UV stability in the polyaspartic chemistry maintains color integrity over time.
Project Specifications
Location | Overridge Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan |
Garage Area | 540 sq ft |
Workroom Area | 21 sq ft (wood floor — boundary treated) |
Wall Verticals | None |
Steps | None |
Coating System | MC4 |
Color | Pebble Beach |
Diamond Grit | 16-grit |
Grinding Passes | Two (pre-repair and post-repair) |
Repairs | Pitting and cracking — polyurea mender and flexible crack filler |
Flood Coat | Full-slab skim coat applied after repairs |
Oil Treatment | Petroleum drawing compound extraction prior to grinding |
Moisture Barrier | MR50 primer — full slab coverage |
Traction Additive | Incorporated in clear coat |
The Result
The Overridge Drive garage now presents a uniform Pebble Beach floor. Tan and warm grey tones give the space depth and a finished character. Cracks, oil stains, and surface pitting are no longer visible anywhere. The workroom threshold presents a clean, defined boundary between surfaces. The MR50 primer and MC4 coating guard against moisture intrusion over time. MotorCity Floors and Coatings delivered a durable, well-prepared garage floor coating for this Ann Arbor home.
Click on the photos to enlarge them
New Garage Floor Coating
on South Ridgemont Lane
South Ridgemont Lane — Ann Arbor, MI
Project Overview
This 545 square-foot garage on South Ridgemont Ln is the 8th case study of our garage floor coating work in Ann Arbor.
The existing surface had an old epoxy coating over heavily pitted concrete. Our crew removed the epoxy, repaired the pitting, and applied the MC3.8 system. The project finished with an Aztec Beige flake blend and 24-grit traction.
Initial Substrate Condition
The floor showed an old epoxy coating across the entire slab. This clear epoxy coating is not very visible on the photos but you can see the yellowish, milkish tint typical of aging expoxy: as its chemicals break down, UV resistance decreases and sun exposure bakes the top layer.
Oil stains and surface contamination appeared throughout. Cracks traversed the slab between expansion joints. The concrete had no steps and no vertical surfaces.
The epoxy coating showed peeling and adhesion failure. Grinding revealed the full extent of the pitting below. The pitting spread across both slabs of the garage floor.
Surface Preparation: Epoxy Removal and Grinding
Our crew began with diamond grinding to strip the existing epoxy. The grinder removed the coating and exposed raw concrete below. Our team made multiple passes to open the surface of the concrete. Our crew vacuumed debris between passes to keep the surface clean.
The grinding process revealed heavy pitting beneath the old epoxy. Our team ground the full 545 square feet to a consistent profile. Our crew cleaned the surface thoroughly before pitting repair.
Pitting Repair: Mender Epoxy Flooding
The concrete showed heavy pitting across both sections of the slab. Standard skim coat repair does not fill deep or widespread pitting. Our crew used Mender epoxy to flood and fill the pitted areas.
Our team applied Mender across multiple zones throughout the garage to make sure to fill up voids. Then we allowed the Mender to cure before the next step. This technique produced a stable, even base across the full slab.
MC3.8 Coating System Application
Our crew applied the MC3.8 polyurea base coat across the prepared surface. Our team broadcast Aztec Beige flakes into the wet base coat. We back-rolled the flake layer for even distribution. Then we applied a polyaspartic top coat over the broadcast layer.
The top coat included a 24-grit traction additive throughout. We placed caution barriers while the coating cured to prevent accidental foot trafic. The MC3.8 system cures fast and resists return traffic within hours.
Completed Installation
The Aztec Beige blend produces a warm, natural tone across the floor. The 24-grit additive provides slip resistance in wet conditions. The MC3.8 system resists chemicals, abrasion, and UV exposure. The coating covers and seals the repaired pitting throughout the slab.
Technical Specifications
Location | Ann Arbor, MI |
Floor Area | 545 square feet |
Coating System | MC3.8 polyurea-polyaspartic |
Flake Color | Aztec Beige |
Traction Additive | 24-grit |
Pitting Repair | Mender epoxy flooding |
Verticals | None |
Steps | None |
Click on the photos to enlarge them