One of the very best sealers on the market today for acid-stained concrete and other types of decorative concrete flooring is the "polyurea". Polyurea is extremely durable, long-lasting and easy to maintain. Most clear sealers for concrete come in water and solvent-based versions.
After surface has thoroughly dried, apply two or more coats of sealer to concrete using a brush, lamb-wool applicator or spray-equipment. Allow surface to dry 1-3 hours between coats depending on temperatures.
As with any flooring surface, it is important to keep in mind that stained concrete is not indestructible. It can be damaged by water, heat, and other elements if not properly sealed and protected.
You may need to apply multiple coats to achieve the desired color intensity. After the stains have dried, you'll want to protect your newly-colored concrete with a sealer. This will help to protect the concrete from wear and tear and extend the life of your color transformation.
Sealers, particularly solvent-based sealers, will darken concrete.
Sealing your concrete isn't really a labor-intensive, nor costly, job. By sealing your concrete every 2-5 years, as recommended by experts, you should keep your floor in good shape, preventing cracks, pitting, and additional damage.
Cons of Outdoor Concrete Staining
Transparent: The semi-transparency of most stains will fail to hide the existing imperfections in the concrete surface. DIY is not easy: Staining concrete is the not the easiest job for the amateur weekend warrior. Using a professional contractor ensure best results.
Depending on the concrete sealer used, it's usually recommended to seal the concrete every couple of years to keep the color from fading. If you choose a high-quality concrete stain and sealer, you may be able to shorten the period between resealing to every 3-5 years.
Film-Forming Stains
Since it is only a coating, it is not permanent, and you will need to reapply a concrete sealer every 3-5 years depending on foot traffic, weather, chemicals, or other agents that can cause the film to peel.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water, scrub the patio with the mixture, then give it a good rinse. If stains don't dissolve, try undiluted vinegar. Do not use vinegar and baking soda mixture in a power washer. And be sure to protect your hands, eyes, and nose to minimize any irritation.
Laying down one or more layers of a sealer will protect your stained concrete floors from abrasions, dirt, oil, grease, and chemicals, prolonging its life and appearance. As such, a basic understanding of sealers will help in the selection and hiring of a contractor to protect your stained concrete floors.
What do I seal stained wood with? We recommend Polycrylic. Used water based with a water based stain underneath and oil based with an oil based stain.
Penetrating Sealer
Specialty resins, such as silicones, siloxanes, and silanes, mix to create a sealer that penetrates deep beneath the surface of the concrete. This chemical barrier acts as a water repellent, preventing materials like oil, mildew, and other contaminants from damaging the concrete.
While the advantages outweigh the negatives, there are some disadvantages that you should keep in mind before sealing your concrete driveway. Sealant can make the surface slippery. Sealants tend to dry down with a glossy or semi-glossy sheen that can be quite slick, especially when wet.
It All Begins With Pressure Washing the Driveway
However, getting out all of the dirt and grime along with stains is a must before permanently securing them onto the driveway's surface with a sealer. Beyond prepping for sealing treatments, there are numerous reasons for pressure washing driveways on a routine basis.
Concrete sealers are best applied in two thin coats. The first coat of sealer acts like a primer. Most of it will disappear into the concrete surface, and the concrete will probably look fairly unattractive after the first coat. The second thin coat will provide an even finish, color enhancement and gloss.
A strong enough power washer will blast most types of sealer off of concrete with ease. The trick is to make sure to pressure wash the entire surface area. For more sturdy sealers, it may take a few passes with the pressure washer to get it completely removed.
Spread The Love! Concrete floors that are stained and sealed don't just look beautiful but are also very durable. But this does not mean they are invincible. If you don't take good care of them, they can develop scratch marks, become dull, and wear out over time.
Stained concrete can be an excellent choice for your residential house. Due to light foot traffic experienced in residential stained floors, a simple cleaning may renew their fresh look for many years.
If you want to stain old concrete, using a true acid stain is always the best option. Avoid "acrylic stains" as these are disguised paint and will also peel with time. Concrete Acid Stains are the only true stains with permanent results.
The answer depends on the surface's square footage. For large surfaces such as commercial floors, a sprayer is faster and way more efficient. Finally, for small surfaces, such as garages or any other exterior surface, a paint roller or any other type of roller will do the trick. Rolling is a less expensive process.
An unsealed, decorative stained concrete surface will show faded colors in a matter of a few months. You could advise your customer that's what happens with an unsealed project and let them make the decision about sealing, but rest assured that an “I told you so,” from you when the fading happens will not comfort them.
After discussing the factors you need to look for and the regional location of the project, in broad terms, Spring is in fact the best time of year to seal concrete. With its moderate temperatures and humidity levels, it tends to provide ideal conditions for the application and curing of sealers.