Many people have a very messy, unfinished garage. The first step would be to clean out all the extra stuff in the garage and thoroughly clean it. This would include sweeping the floor, and dusting out any cobwebs from the ceiling, walls or corners. Even once everything has been cleaned and organized, a garage will still look unfinished, especially if the floor has any existing stains from vehicles. A simple way to remedy this is to finish the garage floor using epoxy. This step will only take a few hours work (plus drying time) and will give a clean, finished look. Additionally, a floor finished with epoxy will resist future stains.

To prepare, the floor should be completely clean, this will ensure the paint adheres directly to the floor for a smooth finish. First sweep and vacuum the floor, then scrub the floor use a specialized concrete cleaner. Be sure the garage is well ventilated and your wear protective gear as the concrete cleaners can have fairly caustic chemicals. After the floor has dried completely, usually 12 to 24 hours, vacuum the floor again.

If there are cracks in the floor surface, they should be repaired prior to applying any garage floor paint. Use a concrete repair compound to fill in the crack and use a trowel to even out the surface. Many repair compounds will recommend sanding the surface after it has cured. If you need to sand, be sure to vacuum as you sand to avoid getting concrete dust throughout the garage and on the floor.

Finally, prime the surface using a roller with a long handle. Follow the instructions, but most primers will need to dry or cure for at least 24 to 48 hours before the epoxy is applied. When the primer is completely dry, apply the epoxy the same way and allow to dry according to directions. A second coat can be applied for a darker color.