Trend in Garage Redesign Drives Thousands of Homeowners to Rust-Oleum's $10,000 'America's Ultimate Garage' Contest

VERNON HILLS, Ill.--July 27, 2005--When John Crilly of Wheaton, IL entered "America's Ultimate Garage" contest in 2004, he had big dreams of winning an amazing garage makeover. Then it happened. He was chosen as the grand prize winner among the more than 10,000 entries submitted, and his "ultimate garage" makeover has just begun.

"I think the only contest in America that might be more popular than 'America's Ultimate Garage' contest is the Pillsbury Bake Off," says Jim Stinner, senior brand manager for Rust-Oleum Corporation, the company sponsoring the contest. And Stinner should know, since he and his staff will personally sift through the more than 20,000 entries Rust-Oleum expects to receive between now and when this year's contest ends on September 6, 2005.

The winner of 'America's Ultimate Garage' contest receives a $10,000 professional garage makeover courtesy of Rust-Oleum(R) EPOXYShield(R) Garage Floor Coating. A Home Depot approved contractor will custom-redesign the garage, transforming it into a showplace worthy of sharing with friends and neighbors. Of course the new look will include Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating and other exciting products from The Home Depot.

Stinner attributes the popularity of Rust-Oleum's "America's Ultimate Garage" contest to the fact that garage redesign is an emerging trend, and as such, an attractive prize to today's consumer. "Garages are increasingly becoming so much more than a place to park your cars. People work, live and play in them, so they care about their appearance more than ever."

"At the very least, people are looking for attractive cabinetry, elaborate wall systems, high-output lighting fixtures and finished flooring" Stinner adds. "And in some cases, that's just the beginning. Many garages or parts of garages are being utilized as extra living space, home offices or recreational space" he adds.

And size matters. There are 65 million garages in the U.S., and demand for bigger ones is growing, according to National Association of Home Builders' statistics. In 1992, only 11 percent of American homes had garages that would hold three or more cars; by 2001, it rose to 18 percent. "And now four-car garages are becoming more common than ever," Stinner says.

About the Contest

America's Ultimate Garage contest begins June 15, 2005 and ends September 6, 2005. Homeowners will be eligible to receive the following prizes by entering:

-- One Grand Prize - $10,000 Professional Garage Makeover conducted by a Home Depot-approved contractor using EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating

-- One Second Prize - $5,000 Professional Garage Makeover conducted by a Home Depot-approved contractor using EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating

-- 25 Semifinalist Prizes - EPOXYShield prize packages, which include a kit of EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating

How To Enter

Anyone interested in a new look for their garage should enter "America's Ultimate Garage" contest. Just take a picture of your garage and describe in 300 words or less what your garage means to you, why you deserve a garage makeover, and what makes for an ideal garage. Good luck! Entries must be postmarked between June 15 and September 6, 2005 and either mailed to America's Ultimate Garage Contest (c/o ARS), 2156 W. Fulton Street, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL 60612, or posted to epoxyshield.com or rustoleum.com.

Judging

Entries will be judged on the creativity of the 300-word essay and the clarity of the photo. Winners will be selected and notified on or about November 1, 2005.

About Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield

Rust-Oleum EPOXYShield Garage Floor Coating protects your garage floor and makes it more attractive. Using EPOXYShield, a high performance coating that creates a professional, showroom quality finish for garage floors, is an easy way to create an enviable, showroom appearance and add to your home's resale value.

The coating is a water-based epoxy that's low odor and environmentally friendly. Just one easy-to-apply coat creates a great-looking, long-lasting surface. While it can cost up to $1,200 to hire a professional to finish a concrete garage floor, you can achieve the same professional results with EPOXYShield for just under $70.

About Rust-Oleum

Rust-Oleum Corporation, a subsidiary of RPM International, Inc. and manufacturer of rust-preventive, general purpose, decorative, specialty and professional paints, is committed to developing innovative and high-quality products that deliver superior protection and value to the do-it-yourself consumer. Well-known for its Rust-Oleum(R) Stops Rust(R) series of rust-preventive paints, Rust-Oleum offers many other products including the American Accents(R), Painter's Touch, Varathane(R), Watco(R), and EPOXYShield(R) brands, as well as Marine and Automotive coatings. Rust-Oleum, one of America's most recognized and trusted names, is synonymous with quality and durability. Based in Vernon Hills, Ill., the company has been manufacturing rust-preventive coatings for more than 80 years.