I use krylon spray paint, and the caps I use for my paint pots, I use old caps for mixing colors, and I coat each finished one with clear triple glaze. Here's 3 more I just finished, but not glazed yet.

I use epoxy implement enamel to paint my bird baths. It holds up for many years. Ask the paint dealer what to use for a primer. I've used thinned oil-base primer on concrete and hypertufa with good results, but there may be something that works better with the implement enamel. Al

Hi mommabird -- there are many experts on this forum and I used them last year for a similar project. Many will recommend etching which involves a very toxic application which I wasn't willing to do. If you have a small area, it may be feasible -- this apparently gets you down to the raw, raw concrete and prepares it for anything topical (porch paint, stain, marine paint, etc.). What I did ... was similar to you ... scrubbed, scraped and cleaned with a degreaser (using brushes in a swirling motion and lots of pressure). I used a Sherwin Williams Marine Paint (two coats) and it adhered just fine. That was a year ago and it is holding up great. Here is an after photo.

And just for fun, concrete finishes are expensive. They range in price from $5 - $25 per square foot. A basic finish (like shot blasting + microtopping + stain) is going to come in at $7/sf. If you want to add protective layer (like epoxy = very low maintenance) they you are into the $10/sf range. And just remember: concrete slabs are NOT ready to be finished. They need +++prep work (shot blasting + microtopping) to get it READY. Once it is ready, NOW you add in the finish you want. The other thing to remember: concrete is porous. Like a hard, heavy sponge. It LOVES to stain. The oils from feet (in socks or barefoot = doesn't matter) = stains over time. It etches with WATER (yep...water etching is WORSE than marble). Did I mention it stains? Red wine = wine coloured stain. Soya sauce = brown stain. Coca-cola = light brown stain. Mustard = yellow stain. If you can imagine living with the WORST marble floor in the world....yah. You get the idea. Concrete is a great idea....but the reality is it is expensive to make it look great AND PERFORM well. Without the protective finish, you are going to experience all the negatives with concrete within 2 days of moving back in.