Starting Over

[tohellwithuga]

Thanks also, chopnhack. I didn't know anything about Azek, but everything I found online looked like siding.

I may use plywood in the end, if I can find some reasonably priced panels.

I just finished etching the floor, so I guess I'm painting.

Edit: I can barely move, and still so much to do... And then there's that annoying work thing starting back tomorrow...

[woodturner]

I just figured it would be better to get rid of the shelves all together.

Not sure why I didn't think of this earlier, but Miratec or equivalent might be a good choice for the shelves. It's a treated particle board product that is nearly waterproof. It's commonly used for trim and outdoor applications, but is much less expensive than Azek.

[twistsol]

Test the floor with a 2x2 sheet of poly taped down for a couple of days. If there is moisture from below you'll see condensation under the poly or the concrete will darken. If that happens, you're wasting your time with the floor paint, it will lift off in a couple of years. I used the plastic tiles in my basement where I know the epoxy shield wouldn't stick. I got them on sale a few years ago for about $1.50 a square foot.

http://www.sears.com/incstores-coin-...&blockType=G19

Also, EpoxyShield has a 5 year shelf life. The rep from Rustoleum didn't tell me what would happen if you used an out of date kit, but said there is no warranty and wouldn't recommend using it. Unfortunately I wasn't able to locate a date code anywhere on the package to know for sure how old a kit is.

[tohellwithuga]

Thanks twistsol. It's been less than 5 years since I bought it, but who knows how long it was on the shelf. I can't find a date anywhere.

I've done the plastic test in several places before, and found no sign of moisture. But, I haven't done it again in the last few days.

Sigh, too many variables...

[tohellwithuga]

Certainly not my best work, but at least it's painted...

[tohellwithuga]

So, on to the next item: replacement shelves (gotta have a place to put the stuff as I clean it and move it back in). I went by HD and Lowes this evening, and wasn't very impressed with what I found (a lot of it already had mold on it in the store, too...).

I'm thinking the easiest thing (that isn't outrageously expensive) would just be to get some 4'x8' melamine sheets and cut them down. Still kind of expensive, though - $30 / sheet for 3/4" at HD, so it would be $150 for 4 sets of 5 shelves (assuming no big mistakes). I would prefer to buy from Lowes, but I didn't see any 4'x8' melamine sheets there.

I guess my main concern with the melamine is, is it going to be too easy to scratch / chip as workshop shelves?

[tohellwithuga]

This is the stuff I am looking at:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/3-4-x-49-...9#.Uhy_cBtwp8F

[Stytooner]

Personally I would not waste my money on particle board.
This stuff does chip and damage easily. Probably best used for light duty apps only.
I would just go for the regular plywood.
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?...llow&cId=PDIO1

Put a coat of primer paint on it and forget about it. It will be there for the duration.

[tohellwithuga]

I'm sure you're right about the melamine / particle board. I will find some plywood that is acceptable.

I'm thinking that I will turn a couple of the sets of shelves into benches (they are made to work as both), with just 1 shelf below. This would give better airflow, and also give me more bench space. Need to figure out something to set the feet on - right now I just cut some pieces of tar paper and folded them up (to keep from scratching my new floor, primarily).

[tohellwithuga]

Well I ran out to HD to get the Arauco 3/4" ply, but they only had 3 in stock and they were messed up (even though online showed they had 26). Of course employees were clueless as to where the other 23 were, but promised it would be on the shelves tomorrow

Seems like it was less than $33.57 last time I bought it (could've sworn it was in the $20's).

[wardprobst]

The BORG has Husky shelving with metal grates or you can get it from any metal yard, we have Metal Mart here but there are others.
DP

[chopnhack]

Well I ran out to HD to get the Arauco 3/4" ply, but they only had 3 in stock and they were messed up (even though online showed they had 26). Of course employees were clueless as to where the other 23 were, but promised it would be on the shelves tomorrow

Seems like it was less than $33.57 last time I bought it (could've sworn it was in the $20's).

I called Arauco about this myself, because my HD location shows hundreds of sheets in stock, but ever since the fire at the Arauco plant, HD has not been carrying the Arauco brand. They have some other brand of pine plywood, but the top veneer is paper thin whereas the Arauco was a full veneer! That made it a pleasure to work with as you could plane it, etc. And yes the price did go up. I have not worked with the new stuff, and the rep. told me that they hope to have the plant operational soon and also hope that they will retail again to HD...

You could get some 15/32 sheathing for about $19 a sheet vs $28 for the sanded ply. Being shelving, save the money and get the sheathing grade, sand it yourself and prime both sides. The savings alone can nearly buy you a can of Kilz ;-)

[tohellwithuga]

Well, I ordered some 15/32 from Lowes, but when I went to pick them up, I couldn't find any that were not covered in mold (they only had 6 or 7 sheets to choose from), so I returned them without picking them up. Actually, all of the stuff at Lowes was moldy (as I mentioned previously).

Local building supply's stock was pretty bad, too (also outside). Went back by HD on the way home (empty handed), just thought I'd see if they had the Arauco on the shelf, which of course they didn't. The guy offered me the next better for the same price (I'm not sure if it was actually better or not - no way I would pay $45.97 for it):

18mm, (3/4" In Category), 4ft x 8ft, Sandeply Hardwood Plywood

I don't really want to use this for my shelving, but at this point, I have to do something.

[chopnhack]

If that is the case, just get sheathing rated ply, its the cheapest while still being structurally sound.

[woodturner]

The BORG has Husky shelving with metal grates or you can get it from any metal yard, we have Metal Mart here but there are others.

Ace has the Gorilla Rack shelves on sale for $35 - they are similar to what the OP had - in case anyone likes those.
http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=2658817