Rust-Oleum Rocksolid Metallic is a high-performance cement floor coating kit that comes in a variety of pearly colors. Rocksolid is made from industrial-strength Polycuramine, a substance that is significantly stronger than polyurethane. Each Rocksolid kit comes with enough material to cover up to 125 square feet of cement. It is easy to install and vehicle-ready between 24 and 36 hours. The finished results offer showroom-quality aesthetics, including a high-gloss finish and shimmery accents. While Rocksolid is often advertised as a garage floor coatings, it’s suitable for any covered cement floor.
Our Review of Rust-Oleum Rocksolid Metallic
First Impression
When our Rust-Oleum Rocksolid Metallic floor coatings kit first arrived, we were surprised by the contents. The small box contained a 70-ounce Polycuramine burst pouch, polyamide roller, stir stick, metallic tint, and instructions. The only items we needed to purchase were a mixing bucket, a synthetic paintbrush, a 9-inch paint roller frame, and an extension pole. Since we already possessed a broom, scrub brush, and degreaser, we didn’t need to purchase these. According to the package, each kit contains enough material to cover anywhere from 100 to 125 feet of concrete.
At first glance, we found the instructions brief and easy to follow. There are different sets of instructions for each stage of the floor coating process, including preparation, mixing, application, and cleanup. None of the sets include anywhere from two to eight steps. In total, the instructions promise finished results in less than 36 hours, drying time included.
Preparation
The first stage of the coating process is made easier thanks to Rust-Oleum’s proprietary burst pouch. According to the instructions, you must roll and squeeze the pouch to blend its two internal components. This mess-free activation process is a welcome alternative to drippy paint sticks and mixing buckets.
Of course, you cannot escape the drips of paint completely. After all, you must manually mix in the metallic tint once the activated pouch has been cut and poured. Once the contents of the pouch have been blended, they have a pot life between 45 minutes and an hour. As such, you must work fast and efficient when applying Rocksolid.
While Rocksolid’s fast hardening time can put a damper on installation, it promises quick results. Since the material is poured directly onto the concrete, you can quickly circulate and clean the edges without risking expiration.
While the actual installation is easy, identifying ideal cement conditions can be confusing. For one, Rocksolid can only be used when the room, coating, and cement all fall between 40 and 90 degrees. Cement surfaces must also be free from dirt, debris, moisture, and sealants. You may even need to conduct moisture and coating quality tests to ensure that your floor can be coated with Rocksolid.
Ease of Application
While it takes less than an hour to coat around 100 square feet of cement, it can take hours or even days to prepare a cement surface for painting. Fortunately, our test floor did not have any preexisting coatings or moisture issues. Still, we had to spend several hours of our time scraping away grease and dirt. What’s more, we had to wait a few days before all the moisture from our cleaning solution had dissipated. After that, we had to patch a few cracks and nicks. All in all, more than a week passed before we were ready to activate our burst pouch. While the coating process isn’t very involved, the prep process can be lengthy for floors used garage floors.
Activated Rocksolid is easy to spread. Still, it can be challenging to eliminate thin patches and bubbles. What’s more, you may need more than the recommended amount of product. We used four kits to cover our 200 square foot garage floor. This was over twice the amount recommended to us by the manufacturer. Of course, we assume this fluctuation was due to the porosity of our concrete. Still, it’s hard to imagine that many concrete floors won’t seep up an enormous amount of coating.
Important Considerations
We were extremely pleased to find that Rust-Oleum’s Rocksolid was free from VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and odors. While we left our garage door open during the application process, we would have been confident using the product indoors. We are always excited to discover eco-friendly home improvement products. While some precautions are necessary, they are limited compared to many cement floor coating products.
We were also impressed with how fast the Rocksolid coating dried. As promised, our floor was ready for foot traffic within 10 hours. After 24 hours, we were able to drive a vehicle over the floor without incurring any cracks or peels.
Results
We were extremely satisfied with the final results of our Rocksolid cement floor coating. The product leveled itself as promised. What’s more, it appeared even and bubble-free. We chose Copper Pot as our color. The reddish-brown paint concealed the dull gray color of the underlying concrete. The metallic tint gave it a pearly glow. What’s more, its glossy, smooth surface gave it a showroom quality that couldn’t be denied.
We made a significant effort to create consistent strokes with our roller, and it paid off. Our final floor had a professional appearance that was amplified by uniform brush strokes and tidy edges.
It cured well and held up to its promise of durability. There was no indication of tire marks, tears, or scratches after the presence of a vehicle. We even tested its permeability by spotting it with common automotive and household chemicals. When cleaned up promptly, neither bleach, oil, nor gas left behind a stain.
Rust-Oleum RockSolid was smooth to the touch. However, we were concerned about the smooth finish. We wondered if it would become slippery when wet. We were happy to discover that a textured clear topcoat could be applied to increase the slip-resistance of the floor. While this adds to the cost and labor requirements of the floor, it is a valuable option.
Rust-Oleum RockSolid Metallic Colors
Rust-Oleum RockSolid Metallic comes in eight lustrous colors, including Silver Bullet, Copper Pot. Earth Brown, Cherry Bomb, Amaretto, Gunmetal, Burnished Gold, and Brilliant Blue. Rust-Oleum lets you visualize the look of your garage floor coating by using their Color Visualizer. This online tool allows you to click on the color options and see how they look when laid over concrete. The company has also produced a few commercial videos that feature different colored Rocksolid coatings.
How to Apply Rust-Oleum RockSolid Metallic
Are you wondering what it takes to transform a gray garage floor into a metallic masterpiece? In this section, you can explore all of the application steps.
Prep The Floor
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Remove Dirt and Grease
Begin by removing all furniture and objects from your cement floor. Then, thoroughly sweep the surface with a broom and discard of any debris. After this, attack grease and oil stains with a heavy-duty degreaser and scrub brush. Rinse and repeat until you are satisfied with the results.
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Mix Concrete Etch
Each Rocksolid kit comes with a packet of concrete etch. Combine this packet with approximately two gallons of clean water. Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bucket. Stir until all of the powder has been absorbed.
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Wet Floor and Apply Etch
Use a hose or watering can to wet the floor with water. Ensure that the floor is moist yet absent from puddles. Then, use a plastic watering can to evenly distribute the mixed etch. Once you have applied the etch to the floor, use a plastic scrub brush to work it into the surface.
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Rinse the Floor
When you are finished, use water to rinse any remaining etch off of the concrete. If etch any etch residue is present during painting, the Rocksolid floor will not adhere to the concrete. Perform moisture and residue tests after the floor has dried. Do not advance to the next step unless you are confident the floor is free from moisture and etch.
Mix the Solution
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Prepare the Pouch
Once you’ve thoroughly prepared and etched the floor, it’s time to activate the contents of the pouch. Due to the short shelf life of this product, it is important to only work with one kit at a time. When you are ready, mix the pouch by shaking it and squeezing the sides. There are two separate components within the pouch. To mix them, you will need to roll the pouch back and forth. Generate enough pressure to burst the inner seal. Usually, this process takes 2 to 3 minutes.
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Move Quickly
Once the contents of the pouch have been exposed to one another, you have a short period in which the coating needs to be applied. Depending on the temperature of the room and floor, this is usually between 45 and 60 minutes.
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Add Metallic Tint
Cut a corner of the pouch and pour the coating into a large mixing bucket. Add the metallic tint to the coating and mix using a paint stick.
Apply
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Pour the Mixture onto the Floor
Drizzle it in long strips a foot or so from the wall. Run your roller over the wet paint, distributing it evenly over a wide block of the floor. Use repetitive rolling patterns to create an even and consistent look. Whenever necessary, use a high-quality synthetic paintbrush to smooth out edges and corners.
Continue this process until you have covered the entire floor or have used up the whole container of Rocksolid. Make sure to overlap each section to avoid creating thin spots. When you are finished, use your roller to go over the surface of the paint job. Smooth out any bubbles, bare spots, or accumulations.
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Repeat as Necessary
You may need to mix up and apply multiple pouches to cover your entire floor. Repeat as necessary. Do not try to attempt to manually thin the paint to increase its coverage. This will prevent the paint from automatically settling. What’s more, it will prevent uneven aesthetics.
Cleanup and Let Dry
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Allow the Floor to Dry
It takes Rocksolid anywhere from 8 to 10 hours to dry. Do not attempt to walk on the surface until it is no longer tacky. Keep in mind that temperature and humidity can alter drying times. Do not attempt to drive a vehicle over your floor until 24 to 36 hours after installation.
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Tidy Up Your Workspace
When you are finished installing your Rocksolid coating, it’s a good idea to clean your painting. Use mineral spirits to get rid of any residue. Then, follow your local disposal laws and regulations to get rid of any leftover coating and containers.
Installation Tips and Tricks
The following tips and tricks will help you pull off your Rocksolid floor with less trouble.
De-Lint Your Roller
Make sure to remove any lint from your polyamide roller. This will prevent the debris from contaminating your coating. Keep in mind that some customers have complained that the polyamide roller sheds. We found that de-linting eradicated the issue of unwanted debris. However, you can always purchase a quality aftermarket roller to ensure that you have no issues.
Invest in a Roller Frame and Extension Pole
If you want your metallic coating to come out nicely, you cannot afford to cut corners. Invest in high-quality tools that will help you achieve excellent results. Your first investment should be a 9-inch roller frame and an extension wand.
Over Buy
We found that product coverage recommendations were a far cry from reality. We ended up using more than double the amount of Rockolid that we were suggested to buy. Due to Rocksolid’s accelerated drying time, it’s essential to have extra product available as you are working. The porosity of your cement may cause it to soak up a lot of the liquid coating.
Put Emphasis on Your Preparations
We cannot do enough to stress the importance of prep work. Spend as much time as you need to ensure your floor is ready to be coated. Patch, scrub, etch, and do it again. A small amount of residue or debris can cause Rocksolid to develop deformities or fail altogether.
Perform a Moisture Test
We highly recommend performing a moisture test to ensure that there is no liquid trapped in your concrete. To do this, tape a plastic sheet on to the surface of your concrete. Then, wait a few hours. If there is moisture on the plastic when you lift it, wait longer before applying your coating. You only get one chance at installing your Rocksolid Metallic floor. It’s worth it to wait!
Do Not Apply to Expansion Joints
Do not attempt to paint over expansion joints. Instead, use caulking over them. This will help preserve their function.
Overall Thoughts Thoughts on Rust-Oleum RockSolid Metallic
We were very satisfied with Rust-Oleum RockSolid Metallic Garage Floor Coating. Overall, the material had a stunning aesthetic. Its lustrous color and high sheen enable it to transform a dull concrete floor into the highlight of a room. On top of that, its durability is second to none. With the ability to outperform most latex and polyurethane cement floor coatings, Rocksolid is a solid option. Since it is eco-friendly and easy to use, we would recommend it to any home or business owner looking to improve an indoor or covered concrete floor.
