KILZ 1-Part Epoxy Concrete & Garage Floor Paint, Silver Gray, 1 Gallon

Why it's worth it

KILZ is a one-part epoxy-acrylic that rolls on like latex paint and cleans up with soap and water. It's the sensible choice for a basement, a storage bay, or a floor that already has an old coating you don't want to grind off.

If you want this done in an afternoon with no chemistry involved, this is the one. Open the can, stir, roll it on. There's no ratio to measure, no pot life ticking down, nothing hardening in the bucket while you scramble. It's water-based and low-VOC, so you can work in a closed basement without gassing yourself out, and your roller rinses clean in a laundry sink.

The epoxy-acrylic binder is a real formulation advantage over plain concrete paint. KILZ specifies resistance to hot-tire pickup, scuffing, cracking, peeling and fading, and owners consistently describe it hiding old stains and holding its color. It's noticeably tougher than a straight latex floor paint, even though it's nowhere near a crosslinked two-part system.

From our review of 5 garage floor coatings, by Ben Carter, Tech Editor

What we like

• +If you want this done in an afternoon with no chemistry involved, this is the one
• +The epoxy-acrylic binder is a real formulation advantage over plain concrete paint
• +It's the practical answer when your floor already has something on it
• +Coverage is straightforward to plan: KILZ lists 300 to 400 square feet per gallon on smooth concrete and 200 to 300 on rough

What to know

• –It's a one-part film, and it behaves like one
• –It needs a dry, sound substrate and a primer to do its best work
• –Puddling is a problem