Thanks Dave. The conditions we face here are challenging at best and oppressive at worst. While this floor does require periodic maintenance, the fact it corrals the runny sludge and mud and keeps it underfoot means I can cope.
Looks so much better nice work. Our weather is the exactly the same this year I received my new AR 630tss 20 amp breaker has been installed I’m ready to go except I don’t have a drain in my garage floor😢 my biggest regret when we had this house built. Happy NewYear Rick.. I now want the new Rupes HLR 3 inch cordless polisher or the Flex PXE80 can’t make up my mind. 👌🏻🇨🇦
Great demonstration on why not to buy the vented floor.... what a mess... and what a chore. I am going with the solid tiles. Thanks for putting this together.
I’m glad my videos are giving you a picture of what this type of floor looks like in a real world application. For me, I have enjoyed the benefits of this style but like I have said many times, it’s not for everyone.
I’ve had Swisstrax in my garage for a year now and there’s barely any dirt built up. Benefits of living in Australia! Arduous conditions you’re in but we’ll worth it. Great video!!
Thanks Derek. I really appreciate what this floor allows me to accomplish in the garage and I am very envious of your climate. The snakes on the other hand…😬
This channel gives me great confidence for handling vehicle in garage maintenance cleaning in sub-optimal conditions. Winter muck is new for me having lived most of my life in a region where we never had real winters.
Nice to see you back, Rick... missed you here, my friend! You have been dealing with brutal weather. I can't imagine the weight of the mud you vacuumed up! I am looking forward to your next detailing video.
Hi Ron, I am in the process of getting things ready for a thorough wash, but the roads are an absolute mess since we have a bit of mild weather. I fear investing 4-5 hours and then having the car filthy within a few minutes. Life is hard at times!
Considering you couldn’t lift the flooring out to the driveway, that was a superb job done. Quite satisfying watching all the gunge being hoovered up and also seeing the little stones being prized out of the tiles and being sucked up. Great job!
Some people see these videos and shake their heads, but the benefits I enjoy having a Swisstrax floor far outweigh the periodic maintenance required to keep things clean and fresh. I'm glad you appreciate my efforts, Nadine. Have a wonderful new year.
Hi Rick!! thanks for the congratulations from the “it’s detailing” channel to you also on the New year and Christmas!!! Hello from Russia! respectfully!!❤
@@Pearl3Drummer Everything in this video is real. If you live in a place where slop is dragged into your garage pretty much half the year, you’re going to have to deal with it.
@@Pearl3Drummer This video may help you decide. Personally, it works for me but it is not something that works for everyone. It’s a big investment for sure, so good to learn as much as you can. th-cam.com/video/kFdfzO-9o7I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=x6hyFbMZNyXqmiZU
Hi Rick, nice job. I live in Toronto and have an Epoxy floor...your right when it snows all that crap just hangs around the garage. I do my best to keep it clean by shoveling and squeegee the mess outside. When we have a "Shinook" like we do today (10deg C) I'll bust out the hose and give it a good wash down and squeegee. We don't typically have as harsh winters as you do up in Calgary so I can see how your floor makes sense for you. Keep up the awesome work..love the Rad Garage!
I like it when people can relate to what I go through in the winter. I am not knocking epoxy, but for my purposes, it would be an ongoing endeavour (or never-ending nightmare!) keeping an epoxy floor clean with the continuous and constant slop that falls off the undercarriage, tires and wheel arches of my vehicle. Plus, the overall benefits the Swisstrax provides me in terms of allowing me to detail on a dry and comfortable surface is what permits me to fully enjoy my garage year-round. Plus, epoxy coatings degrade over time regardless of what type of warranty some may offer. But, if you live in a place where epoxy works for you, I tip my hat to you. At the end of the day, there is no magic way to combat the ill effects of living in a harsh winter environment. You just have to choose an option and make the best of it.
Same situation in Sweden! Can't wait to until temperature raises and I will do a proper clean pulling it outside according to your method. Happy new year!🎉
Thanks for your videos on Ribtrax. I’m in Manitoba so I know about the hearse winters and great to see some videos on how to cope with that weather with Ribtrax. We’ve been considering this product. Thanks!
First, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Second, nice surprise to see you post. And third, you are so right about having a “clean” environment. Makes everything else you do so much more satisfying and enjoyable. Take care and till the next one. As a P.S. I just noticed the Rad Garage Stickers on your pails. Nice touch.😎
Great job on the floor! Canadian winters are definitely hard on vehicles and equipment; I've had enough winter already, and am ready for spring, when I can start detailing again. Thanks for sharing, hope you had a good Christmas and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year!
Our family had a very mellow but enjoyable Christmas this year. Thank you for the well wishes and I hope to get some quality content out in the new year.
Good to see you back at it! I can relate living in upstate NY with cleaning my Swisstrax. I know you have mentioned it before, but those little pebbles your province puts down are ridiculous. I would much rather deal with the excessive amounts of salt used here, as it eventually dissolves away. Looking forward to your next wash video.
Yes, the gravel is an absolute nightmare. My car gets showered with them when someone changes lanes in front of me. It actually makes me drive in a way that I don't put myself in a position for cars to pepper me. Crazy.
Great job! I just did mine this past fall. We don’t have as many rocks and stones as you just a lot of ice and salt. That floor drain you put in is really paying dividends now.👍 Stay warm!!😎
Hi Rick ! First of all Merry Xmas to you and your family. Really good job done in your garage considering the harschness of the climat in North America and also in your region ! We are so blessed to have a nice weather these last days here. Let 's cross fingers so that we can pamper our cars during this winter period to come. Please let me wish you a Happy New Year and see you in 2023 for some new videos ! Take care mate and stay RAD 🤘! Gregg
Excellent job Rick I’m also a garage crazy man 😂. I think many of us here share your passion for the car detailing and garage work. Came out great ,hope you and your family have a good holiday season and New Year.
Haha. I was considering it, but I have no way of cleaning it since it is so cold outside. The mud becomes like concrete in the vac. I will have to chip it out on a warm day and rinse the canister clean. I will definitely record that!
The city maintenance crews believe that rocks on the road is the only keeping us safe so they drop tonnes every day. My car gets peppered with stones on the regular. Then, to make matters worse, they get dragged into the garage on a daily basis. But, that's the price you pay to live here!
I’m just about to install tiles in my garage and have purchased a containment mat to prevent any debris from falling through the tiles time will tell if this works. I live in Ottawa so l can relate to your situation.
Our situation is tough in the winter. Luckily, we get some very mild days in the winter so I will have a few opportunities to clean my floor under the tiles. I am not looking forward to another winter though. Good luck to you and I hope the mat works out for you.
It's been a crazy winter in our neck of the woods thats for sure.. been super arctic like conditions for most of December up until this last week of this month. You seemed really bummed but you did the best that can be done at this time. I am just wondering why you didn't take a shovel to grab the majority of the debris instead of using a vacuum. Anyways man, hope you had a great holiday and cannot wait for the awesome content in the future!
Thanks for the comment and question, Damon. I guess I just prefer to use the equipment that I have handy in the garage. My shovels are down the side yard and the vac was right there in front of me.
Floor is great, but hard to care for, detailgeek flooded the usual floor, and also beautiful, to each his own anyway. I would prefer a smooth floor, only because it is easy to clean!
Love your garage, but this clean up is one of the main reasons I went with a Polyurea/Polyaspartic coating. Lifetime warranty and when the snow and muck melts and falls off, I can actually just squeegee it out intothe driveway and simply mop it up with an old rag or a mop.
Honestly, the amount of slop that gets dragged in this garage would mean I would be doing regular cleans on a daily basis. The Swisstrax allows me to be in the garage year-round without having to walk in the water and mud. This is the best system for me and the conditions I face here.
Great video showing the harshness of our Canadian winters. I’m definitely thinking about going with this type of system rather than epoxy flooring. Just not sure how often I should clean under these tracks especially in winter. I usually park a car in the garage and use it daily in and out for about 3-4 months. That usually leaves a lot of slush, salt and ice and then after I’ve been cleaning it with soap and hot water etc after the season. Do you think these will hold up if I did the same? Also, is the floor underneath sealed? Mine currently is not.
The floor can withstand a LOT of winter abuse. The question becomes, how committed are you to addressing the mud and rocks that will build up each and every time you pull into the garage in the winter? I apply a coat of sealer on the floor every year to help protect the concrete from the salt. It’s a commitment man. I do my best to perform a full clean as often as I can during the winter but it is always dependent on the weather.
I have asked this question of others with the similar tiles - how slippery are the tiles in the winter with the snow and ice? My garage is heated to 45F all winter - floor is NOT heated - thinking of adding these as any water on my garage floor makes it slick. Thank you -
Hi Bill. In over a decade of having a tiled floor in my garage, I have never had a slip. Recently, my nephew slipped due to the slight dip in the floor where my floor drain runs and he was wearing his Vans. The ribbed nature of the tiles is very effective of dissipating the water leaving the floor dry soon after coming into contact with water.
@@RADGarage Thank you for the reply. I am leaning towards tiles. Also would like to add a drain - in the spot where water naturally accumulates near the door. Its the running out to grab the mail and coming back into the garage in the Winter (outside Minneapolis, MN) where I have slipped and caught myself… no one wants to go down in the garage with a groin injury… I may never live it down with my neighbors.
Merry Xmas Happy New Year Question: Is your catch bassin not big enough for you to rinse everything in it ? And ,or would it be a pain to remove the grill and empty it. Which 1 is quicker ?
It isn't so much of a pain to remove the catch basin grille, but I prefer to keep as much gunk out of it as possible since I will eventually have to lean far down to clean it out with my vac. Makes more sense to vac the gunk up ahead of rinsing the floor into the drain/basin. So far, I haven't had to drain the basin since the Fall, but I am going to do it at some point soon here.
Great video Rick! I’m thinking about installing this flooring in my garage. I saw a video of your drain being installed too. Did you detail before installing the drain? If so did the tiles still work good for that? I don’t have a drain in mine but trying to find a way to still do detailing including washing in my garage. Thank you again!
@@stevecharnasjr.7241 Hi Steve. The Swisstrax floor is a lightning rod of controversy. I did wash in my garage prior to installing a tile floor. The natural pitch of my floor ensures the water flows out the door onto the driveway. The drain now ensures no water hits the driveway and collects in my catch basin. What happens to water on your floor now will continue to happen, just under the tiles. How’s the pitch of your floor?
@@RADGarage yeah I’ve been seeing that, but it looks cool and less expensive for me than epoxy. The floor slightly pitches to the door by 1/2” to maybe 3/4” by the time you hit the door.
Epoxy begins to deteriorate the second it is installed. Swisstrax will last forever. Did you ever catch my video about my Top 10 reasons I chose Swisstrax?
@@RADGarage yeah I hear mixed things about. I help a guy out every once in awhile installing the epoxy and it looks good, but still don’t think it’s the best for me. no I haven’t seen that video. But I will go look for it and check it out. Thank you!!!
Hi There, I've been following for a while. Not for the detailing but for the garage stuff. Are you still happy with the Swisstrax? How are the solid areas working out? do they get funky underneath? I'm looking for something cool for my garage floor, also for crappy Calgary winters.
I love the Swisstrax. Once you mail down a maintenance process, all it does is allow you to enjoy a dry garage. I haven’t had any issues with moisture under the solid tiles. My garage is heated and I run a dehumidifier so it’s bone dry. Happy to answer any questions you may have so just reach out at radgarageyyc@gmail.com.
@@yosemitesam42 The casters on a floor jack can cause little marks in the Ribtrax so you will need to put a piece of rubber or carpet mat down first but they can totally handle the load.
Overall, how do you like going with slate grey vs like a pearl grey? Would you have chosen a different color in hindsight? I’m thinking about pearl grey for myself but I don’t detail. I’m more of a backyard mechanic.
Slate Grey has turned out to be a great choice for the main colour. It is not as cool or flashy as the Pearl, but by being subtle it doesn’t show the dirt and gives the garage a “stable” look no matter what condition the floor is in. If you plan on doing mechanical work in your garage, the Slate is a better choice than the Pearl. I do like my Pearl border though. I hope this helps.
Enjoying your videos! I'm researching Swisstrax and a couple of your videos came up, great information on cleaning. I'm having a hard time deciding between smooth vs standard Swisstrax. I can see why you picked standard style due to the dirt and crud coming off your cars. Makes sense in your application, but I don't detail my cars in the garage and I don't get that much dirt, just leaves. I'm sure the standard style doesn't show surface dirt as much as the smooth style does. Biggest question is: Do stools or heavy jacks roll well on the standard style? Is it really a concern at all? Any thoughts you can share on your experience with rolling items across the standard style flooring would be appreciated? Thanks!
I highly recommend the standard style of Ribtrax. There is no issue with moving items on the standard, but I would suggest using some sort of protection if you plan on using a floor jack. The concentrated weight can gouge the tiles when they are under load. I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. Shoot me an email at radgarageyyc@gmail.com.
You said you have watched a few of my Swisstrax focused videos, but here is the complete playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLBkcWYR7ZEzhsA1c8tAWi-kWVIeJ4abtF.html No one has more experience with it than me, so shoot me any questions you may still have. ~Rick
Hello Rick, I was wondering if your garage floor is sealed as well? I have seen your video on the exterior driveway, but wasn't sure if you did the inside of the garage.
Yes, the floor of the garage is sealed with the same sealer as the driveway. This does make it extremely slippery when wet so I have to be super careful when doing this type of cleaning on it. Thanks for the question.
Would you be able to do an air quality test in there one day? I'm curious if all the road grime/chemicals sitting underneath the floor is potentially harmful to our health
I've always wondered if it's still worth it to epoxy the floor, then puts swisstrax over it to make maintenance that much easier? I live in AZ so I don't have the challenges you face, but I've thought about doing this for my parents that live in WIsconsin.
I guess it would depend on how willing your folks would be to pulling out the Swisstrax periodically to clean what gunk compiles beneath it. I don't really see the point in doing an epoxy coat. But, that's just me.
Rick, your floor is amazing but I have a question - wouldnt it be easier for you to have normal, plain tiles, vinyl or epoxy on the floor and after every wash it would be faster to sweep/vacuum the dirt and later wash it with pressure washer or mop the floor or just use a squeegee broom? When you clean the swisstrax you gotta clean it on both sides and the floor from the mud - it is time and energy consuming. Thank you for your videos and waiting for many more :-) Greetings from Poland.
People just don't understand how much winter mud and slop gets dragged into the garage. Every single time I bring my car back into the garage, the tires, undercarriage and wheel arches are full of snow that traps the mud and rocks and melts onto the floor causing rivers of mud. The Swisstrax gives that slop a place to hide so I don't end up walking around in it and making the garage an absolute mess. I would have to clean the floor every time my car came back in which is 1000 times more work than what you see in this video.
@@RADGarage oh okay thank you for your reply :-) We dont have such winters in the north of Poland as you do in Canada (Id love such winter at least every few years). I wish you and your family an amazing 2023 and all the best :-)
I was thinking about buying this - but all my friends - which owning Detailing Studios - which got this kind of a floor - tells me - do not buy it we will remove it, dirt inside, water, smell like toilet...so I invested in Epoxy floor.
@@RADGarage hard for me to say now. I was about to press "buy" on "swisstrax" - everything was measured, ready. Then I meet few guys which have full studios in it. They say it's nightmare to maintain, always water there, smell bad... and in the end I choosed expoxy floor. I'm using rubber mop to throw water away and works perfect for me. You prefer what is perfect for you - everybody are happy. I'm not hating. Diversity is good :) Cheers mate and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 ! Big luv from Poland !
Honestly, there is no such as thing as a perfect floor system when you are dealing with water, mud, and gravel. If I had an epoxy floor, it would be in constant need of cleaning. Every time I pull my car into the garage, the tires, undercarriage and wheel arches are full of snow and slush containing nastiness. As the melting happens, the muddy run off hits the floor and flows in all directions. The Swisstrax allows me to be in the garage without worrying about stepping in mud. That is what keeps me sane here. I understand that everyone is dealing with different challenges, but I am telling you, an epoxy floor here is not as effective or functional as a Swisstrax floor. I get a bit defensive when people tell me that I made the wrong choice. I agree, diversity is a good thing. Wishing you the best for 2023 as well!
I would be tracking winter muck around with every step. The vented tiles allow the mess to hide so I’m not constantly traipsing around in it. This video does a better job of expanding its benefits for me: th-cam.com/video/kFdfzO-9o7I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Qj3kNDzFuKAIlCR_
TOO Much maintenance for me! There are some good industrial floor coatings out there. Some with lifetime warranties. I like to work smarter, not harder.
I would be walking and working in a river of mud without my Swisstrax. Two hours of work after a few months of dragging so much nastiness in on a daily basis, I’d say that’s working smart but to each their own.
Swisstrax is an absolutely terrible choice for Alberta. I live in Alberta too, and way too much gravel gets brought in from the vehicles. I got polyaspartic floor coating for my garage which is a much better choice and makes for much easier cleaning.
You did a great job with the conditions you had to work with, keeping it real 👍😁
Thanks Dave. The conditions we face here are challenging at best and oppressive at worst. While this floor does require periodic maintenance, the fact it corrals the runny sludge and mud and keeps it underfoot means I can cope.
Looks so much better nice work. Our weather is the exactly the same this year I received my new AR 630tss 20 amp breaker has been installed I’m ready to go except I don’t have a drain in my garage floor😢 my biggest regret when we had this house built. Happy NewYear Rick.. I now want the new Rupes HLR 3 inch cordless polisher or the Flex PXE80 can’t make up my mind. 👌🏻🇨🇦
That is a tough choice. I'll go Rupes out of brand loyalty.
Great demonstration on why not to buy the vented floor.... what a mess... and what a chore. I am going with the solid tiles. Thanks for putting this together.
I’m glad my videos are giving you a picture of what this type of floor looks like in a real world application. For me, I have enjoyed the benefits of this style but like I have said many times, it’s not for everyone.
FYI, solid tiles don’t flex as much as the Ribtrax so hopefully your garage floor is nice and flat.
Also, you will see a lot of scratching and wear on the solid tiles. To me, they are better suited for foot traffic rather than vehicles.
1 hour every years not the end of the world
I’ve had Swisstrax in my garage for a year now and there’s barely any dirt built up. Benefits of living in Australia!
Arduous conditions you’re in but we’ll worth it. Great video!!
Thanks Derek. I really appreciate what this floor allows me to accomplish in the garage and I am very envious of your climate. The snakes on the other hand…😬
This channel gives me great confidence for handling vehicle in garage maintenance cleaning in sub-optimal conditions. Winter muck is new for me having lived most of my life in a region where we never had real winters.
Thanks for the comment. If this channel proves anything, it is that you can deal with any issue as long as you have the will. Wishing you luck!
Nice to see you back, Rick... missed you here, my friend! You have been dealing with brutal weather. I can't imagine the weight of the mud you vacuumed up!
I am looking forward to your next detailing video.
Hi Ron, I am in the process of getting things ready for a thorough wash, but the roads are an absolute mess since we have a bit of mild weather. I fear investing 4-5 hours and then having the car filthy within a few minutes. Life is hard at times!
Considering you couldn’t lift the flooring out to the driveway, that was a superb job done. Quite satisfying watching all the gunge being hoovered up and also seeing the little stones being prized out of the tiles and being sucked up. Great job!
Some people see these videos and shake their heads, but the benefits I enjoy having a Swisstrax floor far outweigh the periodic maintenance required to keep things clean and fresh. I'm glad you appreciate my efforts, Nadine. Have a wonderful new year.
Wow, much needed. Great job.
Hope you stay safe & warm the rest of the Winter!
Great to see you again & looking forward to the next video!!
Thanks Tim. It’s been a long cold winter so far, and we still have at least four more months of it. But, no earthquakes or snakes! 😂
So good see You again :) Merry Christmas anyway, Rick! :) Waiting for another exaiting car detailing video! Greetings.
Thanks for coming by for a visit! I am going to be performing a winter wash tomorrow with hopes of having the video up next week! Stay RAD!
@@RADGarage Stay Shine Rick! Thanks
Hi Rick!! thanks for the congratulations from the “it’s detailing” channel to you also on the New year and Christmas!!! Hello from Russia! respectfully!!❤
It is nice to have the support of IT'S DETAILING.
This video makes me rethink about getting this type of flooring
@@Pearl3Drummer Everything in this video is real. If you live in a place where slop is dragged into your garage pretty much half the year, you’re going to have to deal with it.
@@Pearl3Drummer This video may help you decide. Personally, it works for me but it is not something that works for everyone. It’s a big investment for sure, so good to learn as much as you can.
th-cam.com/video/kFdfzO-9o7I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=x6hyFbMZNyXqmiZU
Hi Rick, nice job. I live in Toronto and have an Epoxy floor...your right when it snows all that crap just hangs around the garage. I do my best to keep it clean by shoveling and squeegee the mess outside. When we have a "Shinook" like we do today (10deg C) I'll bust out the hose and give it a good wash down and squeegee. We don't typically have as harsh winters as you do up in Calgary so I can see how your floor makes sense for you. Keep up the awesome work..love the Rad Garage!
I like it when people can relate to what I go through in the winter. I am not knocking epoxy, but for my purposes, it would be an ongoing endeavour (or never-ending nightmare!) keeping an epoxy floor clean with the continuous and constant slop that falls off the undercarriage, tires and wheel arches of my vehicle. Plus, the overall benefits the Swisstrax provides me in terms of allowing me to detail on a dry and comfortable surface is what permits me to fully enjoy my garage year-round. Plus, epoxy coatings degrade over time regardless of what type of warranty some may offer. But, if you live in a place where epoxy works for you, I tip my hat to you. At the end of the day, there is no magic way to combat the ill effects of living in a harsh winter environment. You just have to choose an option and make the best of it.
Amazing job Rick and way to think outside of the tile!
Thanks Fred. It’s nice to have that mess out of there.
Same situation in Sweden! Can't wait to until temperature raises and I will do a proper clean pulling it outside according to your method. Happy new year!🎉
Winter presents a series of challenges that people who don't experience it just can't wrap their heads around!
I know the work involved in this extensive process. Amazing work. I’m looking forward to the shop vac detail to start the new year off with a bang.
The shop vac is in dire need of a good cleanse. That debris is like concrete.
Thanks for your videos on Ribtrax. I’m in Manitoba so I know about the hearse winters and great to see some videos on how to cope with that weather with Ribtrax. We’ve been considering this product. Thanks!
Glad to help. It is a bit of a commitment in terms of maintenance but the dividends it returns are worth it.
@@RADGarage I think the payoff will be worth it for sure
Looks great Rick!
Thanks Derek. A little maintenance required, but now the floor is clean and will allow me to fully enjoy the wash I have planned for the SQ5.
I’m looking forward to it!
Nice! Happy New Year to you and your family. Stay safe!!
Thanks! You too!
First, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. Second, nice surprise to see you post. And third, you are so right about having a “clean” environment. Makes everything else you do so much more satisfying and enjoyable. Take care and till the next one. As a P.S. I just noticed the Rad Garage Stickers on your pails. Nice touch.😎
Thanks for tuning in Wayne. I am returning your kind holiday words to you and yours.
Great job on the floor! Canadian winters are definitely hard on vehicles and equipment; I've had enough winter already, and am ready for spring, when I can start detailing again. Thanks for sharing, hope you had a good Christmas and best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year!
Our family had a very mellow but enjoyable Christmas this year. Thank you for the well wishes and I hope to get some quality content out in the new year.
Working hard up there, Rick!
It was the worst two hours of my life. I barely survived. 😓
Welcome back sr I miss you videos!!! Happy holidays!!
Thanks for dropping by, Julio. Great to hear from you.
Good to see you back at it! I can relate living in upstate NY with cleaning my Swisstrax. I know you have mentioned it before, but those little pebbles your province puts down are ridiculous. I would much rather deal with the excessive amounts of salt used here, as it eventually dissolves away. Looking forward to your next wash video.
Yes, the gravel is an absolute nightmare. My car gets showered with them when someone changes lanes in front of me. It actually makes me drive in a way that I don't put myself in a position for cars to pepper me. Crazy.
Great job man!
Thanks for the visit
Nice work Rick!
Thanks buddy. It feels nice to have months of dirt and debris out of there.
Happy Holidays Rick!!!
All the best to you Mike!
Great job! I just did mine this past fall. We don’t have as many rocks and stones as you just a lot of ice and salt. That floor drain you put in is really paying dividends now.👍 Stay warm!!😎
Yes, the drain is paying huge dividends at this point. I’m very happy with how things have panned out for me.
That's some nasty under the Trax! Definitely can see why you chose this for your flooring.
True nastiness for sure!
Hi Rick !
First of all Merry Xmas to you and your family.
Really good job done in your garage considering the harschness of the climat in North America and also in your region !
We are so blessed to have a nice weather these last days here.
Let 's cross fingers so that we can pamper our cars during this winter period to come.
Please let me wish you a Happy New Year and see you in 2023 for some new videos !
Take care mate and stay RAD 🤘!
Gregg
My fingers are definitely crossed for better car detailing weather! 🤞
Happy New Year🎉
Same to you
Looking clean!
Appreciate it!
I live near Drayton Valley. Sloppy winter roads make a mess of your garage no matter what you have for a floor.
@@Richard-kv4nu Do they ever!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! ¡Feliz Navidad y Próspero Año Nuevo! Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
Same to you, Humberto!
Hi Rick, happy holidays! I’ve not been able to detail my car for 4 weeks due to snow here. Should be okay this weekend. 👍🏻
Yes, winter does not always cooperate with us car detailing freaks!
Looks better than the average garage.
That's my. main goal!
Happy new years RAD!
Same to you!
Happy new year you RAD dude
Same to you, Mike. Let's hope for another amazing year.
Excellent job Rick I’m also a garage crazy man 😂. I think many of us here share your passion for the car detailing and garage work. Came out great ,hope you and your family have a good holiday season and New Year.
Thanks brother. It is nice to know there are others as "weird" as me! All the best for '23!
OMG...are you going to show us the dep clean of the shop vac? All that mud!!
Haha. I was considering it, but I have no way of cleaning it since it is so cold outside. The mud becomes like concrete in the vac. I will have to chip it out on a warm day and rinse the canister clean. I will definitely record that!
I'm the same way , before I cook no dishes in the sink and the counters wiped down
Exactly! The kitchen is another room in the house I do my best to keep spic and span!
@@RADGarage its hard with kids though
Yes it is.
Great job Rick!
Ohh how much dirt you have and how much stones on floor
Happy New Year!
The city maintenance crews believe that rocks on the road is the only keeping us safe so they drop tonnes every day. My car gets peppered with stones on the regular. Then, to make matters worse, they get dragged into the garage on a daily basis. But, that's the price you pay to live here!
I’m just about to install tiles in my garage and have purchased a containment mat to prevent any debris from falling through the tiles time will tell if this works. I live in Ottawa so l can relate to your situation.
Our situation is tough in the winter. Luckily, we get some very mild days in the winter so I will have a few opportunities to clean my floor under the tiles. I am not looking forward to another winter though. Good luck to you and I hope the mat works out for you.
It's been a crazy winter in our neck of the woods thats for sure.. been super arctic like conditions for most of December up until this last week of this month. You seemed really bummed but you did the best that can be done at this time. I am just wondering why you didn't take a shovel to grab the majority of the debris instead of using a vacuum. Anyways man, hope you had a great holiday and cannot wait for the awesome content in the future!
Thanks for the comment and question, Damon. I guess I just prefer to use the equipment that I have handy in the garage. My shovels are down the side yard and the vac was right there in front of me.
Floor is great, but hard to care for, detailgeek flooded the usual floor, and also beautiful, to each his own anyway.
I would prefer a smooth floor, only because it is easy to clean!
Without Swisstrax, I would have to clean the floor every day. No thanks.
All done while wearing cloth shoes. Great job and music as usual.
I did have some damp socks by the end! LOL
One day Rick will wear Crocs. 😉
Only if they sponsor me!
Love your garage, but this clean up is one of the main reasons I went with a Polyurea/Polyaspartic coating. Lifetime warranty and when the snow and muck melts and falls off, I can actually just squeegee it out intothe driveway and simply mop it up with an old rag or a mop.
Honestly, the amount of slop that gets dragged in this garage would mean I would be doing regular cleans on a daily basis. The Swisstrax allows me to be in the garage year-round without having to walk in the water and mud. This is the best system for me and the conditions I face here.
Great video showing the harshness of our Canadian winters. I’m definitely thinking about going with this type of system rather than epoxy flooring. Just not sure how often I should clean under these tracks especially in winter. I usually park a car in the garage and use it daily in and out for about 3-4 months. That usually leaves a lot of slush, salt and ice and then after I’ve been cleaning it with soap and hot water etc after the season. Do you think these will hold up if I did the same? Also, is the floor underneath sealed? Mine currently is not.
The floor can withstand a LOT of winter abuse. The question becomes, how committed are you to addressing the mud and rocks that will build up each and every time you pull into the garage in the winter? I apply a coat of sealer on the floor every year to help protect the concrete from the salt. It’s a commitment man. I do my best to perform a full clean as often as I can during the winter but it is always dependent on the weather.
I have asked this question of others with the similar tiles - how slippery are the tiles in the winter with the snow and ice? My garage is heated to 45F all winter - floor is NOT heated - thinking of adding these as any water on my garage floor makes it slick. Thank you -
Hi Bill. In over a decade of having a tiled floor in my garage, I have never had a slip. Recently, my nephew slipped due to the slight dip in the floor where my floor drain runs and he was wearing his
Vans. The ribbed nature of the tiles is very effective of dissipating the water leaving the floor dry soon after coming into contact with water.
@@RADGarage Thank you for the reply. I am leaning towards tiles. Also would like to add a drain - in the spot where water naturally accumulates near the door. Its the running out to grab the mail and coming back into the garage in the Winter (outside Minneapolis, MN) where I have slipped and caught myself… no one wants to go down in the garage with a groin injury… I may never live it down with my neighbors.
@@billcunningham8485 Yes! That wet, icy spot where the tile doesn’t quite cover the garage slab is a real safety risk.
Merry Xmas
Happy New Year
Question:
Is your catch bassin not big enough for you to rinse everything in it ? And ,or would it be a pain to remove the grill and empty it.
Which 1 is quicker ?
It isn't so much of a pain to remove the catch basin grille, but I prefer to keep as much gunk out of it as possible since I will eventually have to lean far down to clean it out with my vac. Makes more sense to vac the gunk up ahead of rinsing the floor into the drain/basin. So far, I haven't had to drain the basin since the Fall, but I am going to do it at some point soon here.
Great video Rick! I’m thinking about installing this flooring in my garage. I saw a video of your drain being installed too. Did you detail before installing the drain? If so did the tiles still work good for that? I don’t have a drain in mine but trying to find a way to still do detailing including washing in my garage. Thank you again!
@@stevecharnasjr.7241 Hi Steve. The Swisstrax floor is a lightning rod of controversy. I did wash in my garage prior to installing a tile floor. The natural pitch of my floor ensures the water flows out the door onto the driveway. The drain now ensures no water hits the driveway and collects in my catch basin. What happens to water on your floor now will continue to happen, just under the tiles. How’s the pitch of your floor?
@@RADGarage yeah I’ve been seeing that, but it looks cool and less expensive for me than epoxy. The floor slightly pitches to the door by 1/2” to maybe 3/4” by the time you hit the door.
Epoxy begins to deteriorate the second it is installed. Swisstrax will last forever. Did you ever catch my video about my Top 10 reasons I chose Swisstrax?
@@RADGarage yeah I hear mixed things about. I help a guy out every once in awhile installing the epoxy and it looks good, but still don’t think it’s the best for me. no I haven’t seen that video. But I will go look for it and check it out. Thank you!!!
It's definitely a tricky decision.
Does SwissTrax get slippery when wet? I have a cheap epoxy floor that is very slick. Considering this to lay over is it is somewhat slip resistant.
@@erichoeft5044 The Ribtrax design ensures the water doesn’t accumulate on the tiles. I have never had any issues with slipping. Ever.
Hi There,
I've been following for a while. Not for the detailing but for the garage stuff. Are you still happy with the Swisstrax? How are the solid areas working out? do they get funky underneath? I'm looking for something cool for my garage floor, also for crappy Calgary winters.
Oh. How do they hold up to stuff like floor jacks or jack stands etc.
Thanks
I love the Swisstrax. Once you mail down a maintenance process, all it does is allow you to enjoy a dry garage. I haven’t had any issues with moisture under the solid tiles. My garage is heated and I run a dehumidifier so it’s bone dry. Happy to answer any questions you may have so just reach out at radgarageyyc@gmail.com.
@@yosemitesam42 The casters on a floor jack can cause little marks in the Ribtrax so you will need to put a piece of rubber or carpet mat down first but they can totally handle the load.
@@RADGarage Thanks! I'll let you know if I have more questions.
Overall, how do you like going with slate grey vs like a pearl grey? Would you have chosen a different color in hindsight? I’m thinking about pearl grey for myself but I don’t detail. I’m more of a backyard mechanic.
Slate Grey has turned out to be a great choice for the main colour. It is not as cool or flashy as the Pearl, but by being subtle it doesn’t show the dirt and gives the garage a “stable” look no matter what condition the floor is in. If you plan on doing mechanical work in your garage, the Slate is a better choice than the Pearl. I do like my Pearl border though. I hope this helps.
Enjoying your videos! I'm researching Swisstrax and a couple of your videos came up, great information on cleaning. I'm having a hard time deciding between smooth vs standard Swisstrax. I can see why you picked standard style due to the dirt and crud coming off your cars. Makes sense in your application, but I don't detail my cars in the garage and I don't get that much dirt, just leaves. I'm sure the standard style doesn't show surface dirt as much as the smooth style does. Biggest question is: Do stools or heavy jacks roll well on the standard style? Is it really a concern at all? Any thoughts you can share on your experience with rolling items across the standard style flooring would be appreciated? Thanks!
I highly recommend the standard style of Ribtrax. There is no issue with moving items on the standard, but I would suggest using some sort of protection if you plan on using a floor jack. The concentrated weight can gouge the tiles when they are under load. I'm happy to answer any other questions you have. Shoot me an email at radgarageyyc@gmail.com.
@@RADGarage Thank you! That makes sense, good advice.
You said you have watched a few of my Swisstrax focused videos, but here is the complete playlist: th-cam.com/play/PLBkcWYR7ZEzhsA1c8tAWi-kWVIeJ4abtF.html
No one has more experience with it than me, so shoot me any questions you may still have. ~Rick
Hello Rick, I was wondering if your garage floor is sealed as well? I have seen your video on the exterior driveway, but wasn't sure if you did the inside of the garage.
Yes, the floor of the garage is sealed with the same sealer as the driveway. This does make it extremely slippery when wet so I have to be super careful when doing this type of cleaning on it. Thanks for the question.
Would you be able to do an air quality test in there one day? I'm curious if all the road grime/chemicals sitting underneath the floor is potentially harmful to our health
I wouldn't even know how to go about testing the air. Is there a device I could buy?
I've always wondered if it's still worth it to epoxy the floor, then puts swisstrax over it to make maintenance that much easier? I live in AZ so I don't have the challenges you face, but I've thought about doing this for my parents that live in WIsconsin.
I guess it would depend on how willing your folks would be to pulling out the Swisstrax periodically to clean what gunk compiles beneath it. I don't really see the point in doing an epoxy coat. But, that's just me.
@@RADGarage They are older, so I doubt they'd ever pull it up. I'd likely be doing it once a summer
Just figured I'd ask.
@@Vanhamj1 It’s tough to know the best route without knowing all the factors and considerations that need to be taken into account.
Rick, your floor is amazing but I have a question - wouldnt it be easier for you to have normal, plain tiles, vinyl or epoxy on the floor and after every wash it would be faster to sweep/vacuum the dirt and later wash it with pressure washer or mop the floor or just use a squeegee broom? When you clean the swisstrax you gotta clean it on both sides and the floor from the mud - it is time and energy consuming.
Thank you for your videos and waiting for many more :-)
Greetings from Poland.
People just don't understand how much winter mud and slop gets dragged into the garage. Every single time I bring my car back into the garage, the tires, undercarriage and wheel arches are full of snow that traps the mud and rocks and melts onto the floor causing rivers of mud. The Swisstrax gives that slop a place to hide so I don't end up walking around in it and making the garage an absolute mess. I would have to clean the floor every time my car came back in which is 1000 times more work than what you see in this video.
@@RADGarage oh okay thank you for your reply :-) We dont have such winters in the north of Poland as you do in Canada (Id love such winter at least every few years). I wish you and your family an amazing 2023 and all the best :-)
The winter weather is a challenge but the way our city road crews deal with it makes it even worse.
I was thinking about buying this - but all my friends - which owning Detailing Studios - which got this kind of a floor - tells me - do not buy it we will remove it, dirt inside, water, smell like toilet...so I invested in Epoxy floor.
Your friends should stop crapping on their floor. Epoxy is an absolute nightmare to maintain here.
@@RADGarage hard for me to say now. I was about to press "buy" on "swisstrax" - everything was measured, ready. Then I meet few guys which have full studios in it. They say it's nightmare to maintain, always water there, smell bad... and in the end I choosed expoxy floor. I'm using rubber mop to throw water away and works perfect for me. You prefer what is perfect for you - everybody are happy. I'm not hating. Diversity is good :) Cheers mate and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023 ! Big luv from Poland !
Honestly, there is no such as thing as a perfect floor system when you are dealing with water, mud, and gravel. If I had an epoxy floor, it would be in constant need of cleaning. Every time I pull my car into the garage, the tires, undercarriage and wheel arches are full of snow and slush containing nastiness. As the melting happens, the muddy run off hits the floor and flows in all directions. The Swisstrax allows me to be in the garage without worrying about stepping in mud. That is what keeps me sane here. I understand that everyone is dealing with different challenges, but I am telling you, an epoxy floor here is not as effective or functional as a Swisstrax floor. I get a bit defensive when people tell me that I made the wrong choice. I agree, diversity is a good thing. Wishing you the best for 2023 as well!
NC details also got rid of these trax , said the same preferred the expoy floor
What tool are you using to separate the tiles?
That is the Popper invented by my buddy Shaun. It’s available through the Obsessed Garage website: tinyurl.com/495s2f7z
Thanks just ordered one
Looks like you would be better off without the vented tiles?
I would be tracking winter muck around with every step. The vented tiles allow the mess to hide so I’m not constantly traipsing around in it.
This video does a better job of expanding its benefits for me: th-cam.com/video/kFdfzO-9o7I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=Qj3kNDzFuKAIlCR_
@@RADGarage makes sense buddy
what floor cleaner are you using?
It’s a Kobalt from Lowe’s.
How many sq ft is your wash space?
My double garage is roughly 24' x 24'. I wish it was a bit larger, but I make it work.
Is the city using dirt/sand on the roads during the winter? I live in Atlantic Canada and I have almost no dirt/mud on my garage floor (no SwissTrax).
Calgary just becomes a muddy hell in the winter. Not sure why, but it is absolutely awful.
TOO Much maintenance for me! There are some good industrial floor coatings out there. Some with lifetime warranties. I like to work smarter, not harder.
I would be walking and working in a river of mud without my Swisstrax. Two hours of work after a few months of dragging so much nastiness in on a daily basis, I’d say that’s working smart but to each their own.
This stuff seems to cause more problems than it solves.
It works for me.
2nd
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
Thanks for the encouragement!
Swisstrax is an absolutely terrible choice for Alberta. I live in Alberta too, and way too much gravel gets brought in from the vehicles. I got polyaspartic floor coating for my garage which is a much better choice and makes for much easier cleaning.
You’re obviously the expert.
wouldn't it just be easier not to have swistrax?
I would be walking in mud most of the year without Swisstrax.