We only had 3 weeks, so we didnt pull any punches, exposing the sealers to extreme testing procedures to see how well they held up. Depending on the surface porosity, application method, and previous treatments, coverage rates may vary. It is a breathable sealer that allows moisture to escape from the concrete while reducing moisture absorption through the surface by 95 percent. Indeed, the U.S. Department of Transportation approved and used the product in several states to protect roadways and bridges against water-absorption and freeze-thaw damage. I used Dominator, wet look no gloss and its a matte finish but if the sun hits it there is a sheen not shiny though. The best way to apply most concrete sealers is with a HVLP or an airless sprayer. When brushing it onto our paver, the liquid sealer looked a lot like milk, but within 30 minutes, the whiteness cleared up and we began to see a sheen. In 5 years, if I have a grandchild or two Ill carpet then!! The resins in the solvent based acrylic sealers are designed to darken the surface and make it look wet. We only applied a single coat for testing purposes, but the manufacturer recommends two coats for the best protection. Concrete countertops must be sealed to avoid staining. They enhance the life and beautyof your pavers or decorative concrete. Armor Epoxy - Industrial grade epoxy coating for interior concrete. After testing, we power-washed the paver and noticed a bit of dulling where the de-icing salts were applied. No stains were left behindpretty impressive! We applied the sealers to concrete pavers and a concrete countertop in a temperature-controlled shop. You can mix brands, but you cant mix water based with solvent based. Customer Care Team, I was looking for a product to cover our barndominium floors for a few years until we settle on what we will want long-term. Foundation Armor AR350 is a breathable, non-yellowing, solvent-based acrylic. We sprayed the SX5000 on a clean, dry paver, and it quickly spread and saturated the surface. Whether its new construction, a renovation, or after a deep cleaning, consider applying a coat of concrete sealer to finish the job. Concrete floors in basements, garages, and shops take a lot of abuse over time. Water beaded up immediately on the surface of the paver. If your concrete is currently sealed with a wet look sealer then you need to make sure that the new sealer is compatible with the old sealer. In cold climates, silane or silane/siloxane blends are used because they hold up best against the abrasive effects of scraping and plowing. It can be applied to either unsealed concrete surfaces or those previously sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer. Eagle Armor Seal Urethane Acrylic Concrete Sealer, TotalBoat Table Top Epoxy Resin 1 Gallon Kit, Seal-Once NANO + POLY Concrete and Masonry Sealer, EcoProCote Eco-Tuff Clearcoat Concrete Sealer, Foundation Armor SX5000 Water Based Concrete Sealer, Rocklinite Labs Tuff Duck Concrete Countertop Sealer, RAIN Guard Micro-Seal Penetrating Concrete Sealer. It is suitable for both interior and exterior applications, where it provides a non-yellowing, transparent, and durable finish. Epoxy provides a thick, extremely durable, glossy finish with either a clear coat or a variety of color options. Rated the BEST solvent free paver sealers on the market. Armor SC25 - Cost effective water based Siliconate water repellent sealer. The TotalBoat Epoxy Resin Kit is a two-part epoxy resin and hardener system that provides a crystal clear, durable, smooth film with a high-gloss finish. The second main difference between water and solvent based acrylic sealers is repair and maintenance. After 3 weeks, we power-washed the paver and allowed it to dry. It works below the surface without changing the look or color of the concrete. There are. Get Foundation Armor SX5000 on Amazon, at The Home Depot, and at Lowes. and low slip potential. When blended correctly and poured on, TotalBoats epoxy forms a protective, glassy surface that showcases whats beneath. This sealer wont change the look of the concrete, and its also designed to protect from mold and mildew growth (we didnt have an opportunity to test for that, however). If your concrete requires an increase in strength and water repellency, you must first apply a densifier and then apply a water repellent sealer 5-7 days later. If youre planning a concrete-sealing project, you may still have a few questions about buying and using these products. Epoxy sealers are subject to yellowing when exposed to UV light, so they are limited to interior use. Penetrating sealers protect exterior concrete surfaces against freeze-thaw damage and corrosion. Choose from 3 finishes - Semi-Gloss, Low Gloss, and No Gloss. When the sealer dried, the surface was very even. If you want a high gloss finish but dont want the surface of the concrete darkened then you want a water based acrylic sealer. After 24 hours, a film was visible on the paver, but it was attractiveit didnt change the color of the concrete, just added a uniform finish. Solvent based acrylic sealers can easily be repaired with Xylene, and when it comes time to re-coat you simply put more acrylic sealer down to a clean and dry surface. After 48 hours, when the Eagle Armor Seal product had completely cured, we started our tests. Apply very thin layers with a pump sprayer or a roller. Count how long it takes for the drop of water to be absorbed by the paver. Additionally, we recommend applying a texture additive such as Diamond Grit in the final coat to increase traction on particularly smooth surfaces or areas prone to slipping, like pool decks, sloped areas or stairs. After 24 hours, we moved the paver outdoors to weather the elements, and we applied grease, mud, ice melt, and sand. Armor AX25 - High gloss siloxane infused solvent based acrylic sealer for pool decks. It gradually self-leveled (in about 1 minute) and the excess ran over the edges of the paver. We used a dropper to put various liquids on the surface, including red wine, orange juice, chicken broth, and salad dressing. When I came across Black Diamond Coatings. Get Tuff Duck Concrete Countertop Sealer on Amazon or at Walmart. Foundation Armors SX5000 Water-Based Penetrating Concrete Sealer is a silane/siloxane blend with up to 10 times more active ingredients than the competition. A few bubbles formed on the surface, which is common when sealing porous concrete because air escapes and the bubbles are trapped in the epoxy. Water based acrylic sealers need to be re-coated with a water based acrylic sealer, and solvent based acrylic sealers need to be re-coated with a solvent based acrylic sealer. They are easy to apply with a pressurized garden sprayer, a paint roller, or a high-volume, low-pressure (HVLP) sprayer. Foundation Armors line of penetrating concrete sealers are designed to penetrate through the concrete surface where they chemically react within the pores. These products cure in less than 24 hours to provide a natural-looking finish, providing excellent weather protection without making the surface slippery, changing the surface appearance, or leaving a sheen. Foundation Armor AR350 Wet Look Concrete Sealer, MasonryDefender Penetrating Concrete Sealer, Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500 Penetrating Sealer. COLD WEATHER WARNING: Do not apply if surface temperature is expected to be below 50 for 48 hoursbefore & after application. Acrylic concrete sealers offer a high degree of both durability and flexibility in terms of aesthetic appeal. To remedy this, we used a small culinary torch to just slightly heat the epoxy, which popped the bubbles and left a flawless glass look. It becomes less effective on rough or textured surfaces and with sealers that have a solids content above 35 percent. They are nearly invisible, so the concrete retains its original appearance. Siloxa-Tek, manufactured by Ghostshield, can be applied in several wayswe opted to use a brush, painting the sealer on a clean, dry concrete paver. LEARN MORE. Acrylic is best for decorative, high-gloss, and color-enhancing applications. After power-washing, we found no traces of staining, scuffing, or dulling. The company also offers the Armor AR500 which is a high gloss variation of the AR350. Seal-Once Nano + Poly Concrete and Masonry Sealer combines proprietary penetrating nanotechnology with polyurethane to provide durable, long-lasting protection. Long-term exposure to VOCs can lead to a litany of chronic health problems. After a second Foundation Armor pick made our lineup, we can confidently say that we are now steadfast fans of this manufacturer. Whether you are a DIY homeowner looking for a driveway sealer or garage floor coating, or a commercial contractor looking to seal a bridge deck or warehouse, Foundation Armor has a product for your application. Yes, concrete sealer does wear off over time. Hi Brian,
There are no issues with acrylic lacquer sealers and acrylic co-polymers sealers and those can easily re-coat the other, but there are issues with an acrylic latex sealers. This acrylic concrete sealer helps reduce damage and deterioration caused by surface abrasion, freeze-thaw cycles, and chemical exposure. When the liquids dried, we sprayed on an all-purpose cleaner and wiped them off, and there was no staining. Armor WL550 - Solvent based matte wet look water repellent sealer. We left the paver to cure for 24 hours before starting our tests. They form a chemical barrier that shields against intrusion by moisture and chemicals such as ice melt products. As a general rule, sealing concrete driveways should be done with penetrating sealers, indoor floors with acrylic sealers, and concrete countertops with either an epoxy sealer or a polyurethane sealer. (A teaspoon, water dropper, or a steady hand with a water bottle will do the trick!). Epoxy, which requires thoroughly mixing resin and hardener before application, is spread with a notched squeegee and finished smooth with a lint-free roller. We extensively tested each concrete sealer and awarded points based on its performance. Your money goes farther with this product with ouramazing coverage rateup to 400 square feet per gallon, per coat, and 2-4years before resealing. Then, we wiped down the countertop using several different household cleaners over the following weeks. They may contain an acrylic resin, but acrylic latex sealers dont function like an acrylic at all. Anyone ready to seal a concrete driveway, a floor, or countertops might be eager to find out how the following concrete sealers fared in our hands-on tests. This water-based, low-VOC, high-solids sealer can be applied to unsealed interior or exterior surfaces of vertical and horizontal concrete, brick, pavers, flagstone, and slate. The best way to keep these elements from damaging your driveway, sidewalk, or patio is to apply a sealer that will keep them out. The first step in figuring out how much sealer you need is determining the porosity of the paver from the start of your project. Sealed concrete resists dirt and stays cleaner than unsealed concrete. In addition to penetrating the concrete to coat its internal pores, Seal-Once Nano + Poly creates a durable surface coating that protects against UV fading, wear and tear, and water damage. There are3 gloss levelsto choose from; no gloss (NG+), low gloss (LG+) and high gloss (SG+). Breathe easy while applying DOMINATOR Paver Sealer since there areno foul odors. The eco-friendly silane/siloxane blend bonds with the minerals for penetrating concrete and creating a long-lasting, invisible barrier against water penetration, staining, and chemical damage. It soaked in so rapidly that using a brush would not have achieved the same uniform application. After allowing it to dry completely, we performed the water test, and the water beaded up on the surface.