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Re-Sealing of Stamped Concrete
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Re-Sealing
When your stamped concrete was installed, as the very last step was application of a clear concrete sealer. That sealer is designed to protect the color of your stamped concrete from fading, staining, etc. There is also a special additive in your sealer to help prevent slipping when the surface is wet.
There are 2 types of sealers that can be used for stamped concrete, they are both acrylic film-forming sealers, one is solvent-based and one is water-based. Do not mix the usage of these 2 ... if you had water-based applied initially, you should re-seal with water-based and likewise, if you had solvent-based, please reseal with solvent-based.
Solvent Based
- used for most of our traditional 2-color stamped concrete
- produces color development, ie makes the color appear to the correct color. without sealer, colored concrete is 2-3 shades lighter, softer and a bit chalky.
- comes in a metal container
- clear in the bucket and heavy odor during application
- life expectancy is 2-4 years
- typically glossy or satin finish, most often produces some shine, satin version is somewhat less shiny.
Water Based
- used for most multi-color, grouted stamped concrete because less shine
- milky white in the bucket, not much odor at all during application
- applies milky and cloudy and dries clear
- comes in a plastic container
- life expectancy is 1-2 years, best to reapply every 1 or 1.5 years.
- typically low to no gloss, this sealer is used most often for its "zero shine" qualities
- produces virtually no additional color development of the concrete
Once the original sealer wears down, you should re-apply it using a compatible sealer. How do you know when the sealer is wearing down? For solvent based sealers, it will normally begin to look faded and dried out. It often gives a white or chalky look in the worn areas because the sealer is not longer there to enhance the colors. Water will no longer bead on the concrete as the sealer wears off.
For water based sealer, since there is not much color development, there is not as many visual clues that you should reseal. Best to not let it go more than 1.5 or 2 years at the most without resealing. This sealer forms a film over the patio surface that protects the colors. Without sealer the colors can wash off more easily.
Prepare the concrete area
To apply the new sealer we recommend 3 steps, power wash, dry and apply the sealer. A regular garden hose would work, however the best way to get a thorough cleaning prior to re-sealing is to use a power washer. A standard home-grade power washer (1500 psi, or so…) should do fine. As mentioned above, please be very careful when using a power washer both to your own safety and to the safety of your stamped concrete! Keep the nozzle a foot (12") or more away from the surface of the concrete so that you won't damage the surface.
If you are power washing multi-color, grouted stamped concrete with water based sealer, be even more careful with a power washer. If you don’t have much sealer left, the accent color stains can wash off most easily. Alway try a small test area first to be sure you are not doing any damage.
Once you have the surface good and clean you must let it dry thoroughly, i.e. "bone dry". You can use a leaf blower as a drier or just let the sun dry it thoroughly for a couple of hours.
Ok, now you are ready. Before applying your new sealer, just double check that there is no dirt, grease, or any other debris on the surface, and be extra-sure that the concrete is 100% dry, even in the grout lines between the stones.
Purchase the sealer and anti-slip additive
Purchase a sufficient amount of sealer from your local contractors building supply store, most of them sell retail to individual homeowners. Your sales rep at the supply store can help determine the quantity that you will need. A few sources for sealer are:
Notes:
- Always consult with reps at these suppliers for correct brand, type, and quantity for your concrete. Also note that most stores now sell only "VOC compliant" sealers what adhere to newer environmental standards and guidelines.
- Concrete sealers sold at consumer home improvement centers and "depots" is typically not suitable for stamped concrete and should be avoided
Note: We use sealer products from Pure Texture in North Carolina. There are similar products available locally, that should be fine, but we don’t have much first hand use with these.
Pure Texture, Greensboro, NC (mail order) www.puretexture.com
Pure Texture brand "Thermoplastic" solvent based acrylic sealer
(available in satin or gloss)
Pure Texture brand water based sealer
White Cap Building Supply (formerly "Greenwald"), Springfield, Va
703-912-5900, or
Virginia Contractors Supply, Manassas, Va
Solvent-based sealer
Super Diamond Clear, by Euclid Chemical Company
Water-based sealer
Euclid Luster Seal WB 300 (more shine)
Euclid Luster Seal WB 150 (less shine)
(WB for water based)
Or, Brickform Satin Seal
Handyman Concrete, Chantilly, Va
Increte brand, Crystal Clear VOC, solvent based sealer
Increte brand water based sealer
While you are there, also pick up a container of anti-slipping additive that can be mixed into the sealer. This is a specially manufactured material that looks like white sand that will provide bit of texture or "grit" to the surface to help prevent slipping when it is wet.
Apply the sealer
Now, back to the "how to" for applying your sealer. Open the container, add the non-skid grit additive and mix. Do not over apply sealers. Two thin coats are always better than one thick coat.
Water-based sealers (milky white)
Pour into a pump-up garden sprayer and spray evening onto the concrete, or it can be rolled with a paint roller. It will be cloudy white initially when sprayed but should dry clear.
Solvent-based sealers (clear with heavy odor)
We typically use a paint roller on an extension pole, apply the sealer evenly to the surface. Dip the paint roller into the bucket of sealer, then apply. Do not pour the sealer directly onto the concrete. Instead, you should dip the roller into the bucket and apply it evenly to the concrete. Be sure and get the sealer in all grout lines and recesses of the stamp pattern and spread it out evenly across the surface.
Let it dry for at least a few hours, best to wait overnight, then should be ready for use.
Always put sealer on a test area first, let it dry for a day or two to be sure no chemical reactions, etc...
Always put a non-skid additive, grit into the sealer to help from slippery when wet. That is special material shark-grip or other brand available where you buy the sealer.
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