Why seal a concrete countertop? Concrete Countertops are very porous like a sponge. The purpose of a sealer is to provide a protective barrier. This will protect the surface from stains, etching and water intrusion.
Types of Countertop Sealers
- 1-Reactive Densifying and Hardening Sealers
- 2-Impregnating Water and Stain Repellent Sealers
- 3-Decorative Gloss or Satin Finishes
1- Concrete Sealer X-1 and Concrete Sealer X-2 are permanent densifying and hardening silicate based deep penetrating sealers. These sealers are guaranteed to last for the life of your concrete countertop. They chemically bond to the concrete to become a part of its integral structure. As a result, they are highly effective in making your concrete countertop physically stronger and denser protecting it against dusting. Also, this helps prevent efflorescence, etching and stains from acids like vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, oils greases and cooking oils.
2- Concrete Sealer X-3 is a water based special blend of polysiloxanes/silanes. They crosslink below the surface of the concrete making the concrete surface water and stain repellent allowing spills to be more easily removed. Application of the sealer can be either alone or on top of Concrete Sealer X-1 or Concrete Sealer X-2 to provide double protection of the concrete with both deep sealing and a repellent finish.
3- For Decorative Coatings, you should make sure that your concrete is absorbent by placing a droplet of water on the surface. If it absorbs within 20 seconds then you can apply the sealers. If it does not then you should either acid etch or diamond grind the surface to open up the pores. We do NOT recommend that you use these sealers with any of the above products. We recommend two applications of Concrete Sealer X-4 to provide a gloss finish on concrete countertops and for a satin or semi-gloss finish use Concrete Sealer X-5.
Repelling colored water on a concrete countertop.
