Metallic Epoxy Resin for High End Decorative Floors
Metallic epoxy is a 100% solids epoxy resin mixed with metallic mica or mineral pigments that swirl and blend as the resin cures, producing a glossy, three dimensional finish that looks like moving water, marble, or lava. It is applied as the body coat within a complete metallic epoxy flooring system, over a pigmented base coat and under a protective topcoat. One Stop Epoxy carries five professional grade metallic epoxy resins, Metallic Dream and four LABPOX formulations. Each is supplied as a two component epoxy kit with a different working time, viscosity, and level of UV resistance, allowing installers to select the resin that best fits the floor design and job site conditions. Orders ship free to the 48 contiguous states, and most orders ship out the same or next business day.
How to Choose a Metallic Epoxy Resin
Every metallic epoxy resin on this page can produce a three dimensional decorative floor when used as the body coat within a properly designed metallic epoxy flooring system. These are all professional grade, 100% solids, two part epoxy kits. They take the same basic mixing and application skill to install correctly. This is not something to treat like a bucket of paint. We recommend practicing on a sample board before committing to a full floor, regardless of which resin you choose. What actually differs between them is working time, viscosity, UV resistance, and price, and that is what determines which one fits your project. Compare the five resins below.
| Product |
Best For |
Working Time |
Viscosity |
UV Resistance |
Metallic Coverage |
Starting Price |
| Metallic Dream |
Signature high end metallic body coat |
Up to 60 minutes |
Standard |
Standard |
~150 sq ft / kit |
$220.00 |
LABPOX 30 |
Base coat, metallic body coat, flake receiver coat |
45 to 60 minutes |
Standard |
Standard |
~150 sq ft / kit |
$167.00 |
| LABPOX 40 UV |
Metallic body coat, light color systems |
60 minutes |
Standard |
Enhanced |
~150 sq ft / kit |
$175.00 |
| LABPOX LV UV |
Clear or metallic body coat, high clarity topcoat |
90 to 100 minutes |
Ultra low (~300 cps) |
Enhanced |
~150 sq ft / kit |
$185.00 |
| LABPOX LV 3D UV |
3D metallic effects, large scale pours |
90 to 100 minutes |
Ultra low (~300 cps) |
Enhanced |
~150 sq ft / kit |
$184.00 |
Metallic Epoxy Resins Available
LABPOX 30 is a professional grade, 100% solids epoxy with a 45 to 60 minute working time. It works as a high adhesion base coat under a metallic system, as the metallic body coat itself, or as an intermediate build coat in heavy traffic areas. It is self priming, low VOC, and cures to a Shore D hardness of 82, and it is the most versatile resin in this collection.
Metallic Dream is One Stop Epoxy's flagship metallic resin, engineered for up to 60 minutes of open time so installers can manipulate movement, minimize bubbles, and build the high depth, mirror like finish metallic floors are known for. It is the money coat in the classic black base, metallic body, clear topcoat system build.
LABPOX 40 UV pairs a 60 minute working time with enhanced UV resistance and crystal clarity, making it a reliable choice for metallic body coats and for light colored floors that need better color stability than standard 100% solids epoxy.
LABPOX LV UV is an enhanced UV resistant epoxy with an ultra low viscosity, about 300 cps, and a 90 to 100 minute working time. The thinner resin allows pigments to flow and level with less resistance, and it also performs well as a clear high clarity topcoat over decorative work.
LABPOX LV 3D UV is an enhanced UV resistant epoxy that combines the same ultra low viscosity with the longest working time in the lineup, giving installers the room to build cells, veining, and layered three dimensional effects across large pours without the resin locking up.
How a Metallic Floor System Comes Together
A metallic floor is built in layers: mechanical grinding to open the surface profile, a primer on porous slabs, a pigmented base coat (usually black, since it makes metallic pigments read as more vibrant and three dimensional), the metallic body coat using one of the resins on this page, and a protective topcoat to lock in the gloss. For complete surface prep, mixing, and step by step application instructions, see our installation guides, or shop the complete metallic epoxy flooring systems for a kit built around this exact sequence.
Application Conditions That Affect Metallic Flow
Because metallic epoxy stays fluid on purpose, job site conditions matter more than they do with a standard floor coating. Direct sunlight, hot substrates, and moving air are among the most common causes of a failed metallic pour.
Installation note: Do not apply metallic epoxy in direct sunlight or on a hot substrate. Point HVAC vents away from the floor and turn off fans and any other source of moving air. Air movement causes the resin to skin over before it can lay down and move, which locks the metallic pigments in place and leaves visible ripples or lines in the finish.
For complete surface prep, mixing, and application steps, see our installation and product knowledge guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is metallic epoxy made of?
Metallic epoxy is a 100% solids, two part epoxy resin mixed with metallic mica or mineral pigments. As the resin levels and cures, the pigments shift and blend to create a moving, three dimensional pattern that is different on every floor.
What is the difference between metallic epoxy resin and a metallic epoxy flooring system?
A metallic epoxy resin is the two component coating used to create the decorative metallic body coat, the products listed on this page. A complete metallic epoxy flooring system normally includes concrete preparation, primer, a pigmented base coat, the metallic epoxy body coat, metallic pigments, and a compatible topcoat.
Can I install a metallic epoxy floor myself?
It is possible. All the metallic epoxy resins on this page take the same basic mixing and application skill, none of them are harder or easier than the others. Success comes down to timing, mixing, and reading how the resin is moving in real time. We recommend practicing on a sample board before committing to a full floor.
Do I need a topcoat over metallic epoxy?
Yes. A metallic floor is high gloss, and a high performance topcoat such as Premera T2 provides the scratch resistance the metallic layer does not have on its own. It adds scratch resistance and can help slow UV related color change, but no epoxy should be described as completely resistant to ambering.
What is the difference between LABPOX 30 and LABPOX 40 UV?
LABPOX 30 is the more versatile, general purpose resin and doubles as a base coat for non metallic floors. LABPOX 40 UV is formulated specifically for enhanced UV resistance and crystal clarity, which makes it a better fit for light colored metallic and decorative floors.
Why does metallic epoxy need such a long working time?
The metallic effect comes from pigments moving and settling while the resin is still fluid. A short working time locks the pigments in place too early, leaving flat color instead of the layered, three dimensional look installers are going for. That is why the resins in this collection range from 45 minutes up to 100 minutes of open time.
Do I need a black base coat for metallic epoxy?
Black is the industry standard because it acts as a backdrop that makes metallic pigments appear more vibrant and dimensional. Lighter base colors can be used for a softer, more subtle effect.
How much metallic epoxy do I need?
Most metallic epoxy body coats are applied at approximately 50 square feet per gallon. A 3 gallon kit generally covers approximately 150 square feet when applied at the proper thickness for metallic flow and depth. Always confirm the coverage rate for the specific resin and job site conditions before ordering.
Can metallic epoxy be used outdoors?
Metallic epoxy is generally intended for interior or enclosed applications. Epoxy can amber or change color from prolonged UV exposure, even when formulated with enhanced UV resistance. Exterior projects require a coating system specifically designed for sunlight, temperature changes, and outdoor exposure.
Browse our metallic pigments, review TDS and SDS sheets for any resin on this page, shop our complete metallic epoxy flooring systems, or see our full epoxy resin lineup for base coats and industrial formulations. Metallic epoxy ships free to the 48 contiguous states, and most orders ship out the same or next business day.