Boyce added the following advice when considering floor coating systems, especially epoxies. Also observe induction times after mixing an epoxy. It must reach the proper thickness to start the chemical reaction. In addition, do not mix more material than you can use, because epoxies dry by chemical reaction and will cure in the can. A coating that's growing in popularity, especially in residential applications where aesthetics are a high priority, is concrete stain.
Most stains are acrylic-based and offer good resistance to UV light.
So, while paint offers better initial color, stains hold color longer. He added that with concrete stain and stencils, contractors can give their customers the look of brick, natural stone, cobblestone, tile, and other surfaces inexpensively. Because it is highly alkaline, a concrete surface can adversely react with a variety of coatings, such as alkyds or oil-based materials. Primary coating properties that affect their compatibility with concrete surfaces include tolerance to alkalinity, moisture sensitivity, cure shrinkage, elasticity, viscosity, and permeability. One way to ensure compatibility is to select a proven system of products, said Molski.