Ask a pro: When to use epoxy

Painting a shop floor not only brightens up a work area but makes cleaning up sawdust a snap. There are several epoxy floor paints on the market, but I have found that the type that requires mixing two parts together provides the best strength. Application is straightforward, but, as with most jobs, surface preparation is important. A smooth floor will give you the best results, but a rough floor can still be painted–just use about 50 per cent more product and a thick roller to apply.

Check to make sure your concrete has cured enough by taping a 12″ square of plastic down on the floor and wait a couple of days. If there is any water on the bottom side of the plastic, the floor still has too much moisture to paint.