One of the most popular concrete sealing product requests we field is for a color enhancing, wet look sealer. Everyone loves how their concrete looks after it rains and the way the water brings out the colors and textures of the substrate. This look is typically achieved by using an acrylic based sealing product of a solvent based chemistry. Solvent based acrylic sealers are fantastic products when it comes to decorative enhancement, the only downside is their longevity. With most products you need to reapply them on a yearly basis since they are very susceptible to breaking down from deicing salts, UV exposure and traffic. However, if you are committed to the wet look, high gloss finish and as long as you know it is something you will have to reapply on a yearly basis applying a solvent based acrylic is the way to go.
Use muriatic acid or another acid etching material such as Klean Strip Green Muriatic Acid, a safer muriatic acid or Hydro-Etch 1000 which is a modified phosphoric acid which is not as harmful as traditional muriatic acids. Muriactic acid is one of the most dangerous chemicals you can buy for home use and it can damage nearly everything it touches. We really like the Hydro-Etch 1000 product since in most cases it does just as good of a job as muriatic acid but with less danger. It is also an excellent choice when you are looking to remove efflorescence from concrete and masonry substrates.
Acid Etching Process:
Remove all furniture, equipment and objects from the concrete floor you are going to be etching, sweep up or shop vacuum any dust and dirt.
Remove all oils and greases prior to etching, this can be done by using a degreaser, laundry detergent or Dawn concentrated dish soap.
Hose down the entire area you are going to be etching. Spread the water and make sure it is not pooling or puddling, the concrete should remain this wet throughout the acid etching process.
The usual dilution ratio is 3 to 4 parts water to 1 part acid. Do not use a metal container to mix the acid and water. Important: Always pour acid into water, never pour water into acid since the acid can splash back into your face and lead to injury. During the mixing stage wear long sleeves, gloves, eye protection and a face mask to protect against fumes.
After the acid is mixed with water test in a small area to make sure the ratio is accurate, you will be able to tell since the concrete will begin to bubble and react. If you dont see bubbles when the acid first comes into contact with the concrete the mixture is not strong enough.
It is easiest to use a sprayer or watering can to apply the mixed acid to the floor. After spraying acid on the floor you can use a squeegee or floor machine to spread the acid mixture. Remember that the floor needs to stay wet throughout the entire acid etching process. Do not let the acid dry on the floor, if you notice that it is starting to dry you will need to hose down the areas.
After the acid has been applied wait about 2-15 minutes for the floor to stop bubbling. Throughout this process the acid is reacting with the floor, opening up the pores of the concrete preparing it to accept a sealer. If there are spots where the acid is not reacting with the concrete there could be residual oil or grease left on the floor and you may need to use a floor grinder to prepare the floor in these areas.
After the 2-15 minutes rinse off the acid from the floor. The next step is to neutralize the surface and reduce the pH of the concrete. You can neutralize the concrete using 1 cup baking soda dissolved in 1 cup water or 4 ounces of household ammonia mixed into 1 gallon of water. Let the neutralizing solution sit for a minimum of 10 minutes. You can then rinse off the neutralizing solution and drain it or shop vacuum it up.
The concrete should now have a cleaner, brighter appearance and it should have the texture of medium grit sandpaper. Rinse the concrete twice and suck up the excess with a shop vacuum. If the concrete is not rinsed enough a white powdery residue will be left on the floor when it dries. This can be removed by rinsing the concrete again.
Helpful Tips:
- Wear protective clothing such as safety googles, gloves, long sleeves and close toe shoes.
- Do not breathe fumes, and use a face mask respirator
- ALWAYS POUR ACID INTO WATER, NOT water into acid.
- Effective pH levels prior to applying a sealer or coating are 6.0-9.0. If the range is below 6.0 there may still be acid residue in the pores of the concrete.
- Use a plastic drop cloth to protect anything you don’t want to get splashed.
- Don’t acid etch in weather below 50 degrees F.
- After etching make sure the floor has dried out before applying a concrete sealer or coating.
The post is based on a very informative article on wikiHow.com titled, How to Acid Etch Concrete.
$8000 to $10,000 is the average cost to replace a concrete driveway. By using a concrete sealer on the driveway at time of installation you are essentially ensuring that you will not have to replace your concrete driveway after years of harsh deicing salt chemical usage, chlorides and freeze-thaw damage. When looking for a concrete driveway sealer the sealer you choose will depend on a variety of factors including concrete type, geographical location, and desired finish.
Concrete Type:
Stamped concrete – If you are looking to seal stamped concrete you are typically looking to enhance the colors and textures with a matte, satin or glossy finish. For this we would recommend looking for an acrylic based sealer or a silicone based sealer. Acrylics are available in either solvent based or water based varieties; water based acrylic sealers typically leave a satin finish whereas solvent based acrylic sealers typically leave a gloss finish.
Concrete – If you are looking to seal a concrete driveway you are really going to want to take into account your geographical location. If you are located in an area where deicing salts are used you are going to want to use a silane or silane/siloxane blend. If you are in a warmer climate where there are no freeze-thaw cycles and deicing salts are not used on the roadways you have a few more options. Silane/siloxane sealers are always excellent choices but are more expensive than other siliconate and acrylic based products. If you are looking for an economical options look for a concentrated silicate/siliconate blend and if you are looking for a decorative finish use an acrylic based product.
Pavers – Depending on the type of finish you are interested in you can use a silane/siloxane, acrylic or silicate/siliconate blend. If you are looking for a natural finish and/or if you are looking for deicing salt protection use a silane/siloxane product, if you are looking for a satin or high gloss finish use a water based or solvent based acrylic, and if you are looking for a natural finish and the most economical option use a silicate/siliconate blend.
Brick – Brick driveways are best sealed using a silane/siloxane blend. Because of the breathability of these sealers they will protect the bricks without any yellowing, flaking or peeling and the sealer will protect the bricks from efflorescence attacks.
After researching, testing and collecting data over the past few years we have finally comprised our list of the top concrete sealers and we have narrowed down the #1 Concrete Sealer in each category. Sealers were rated using a 5 scale system of strength, quality, durability, longevity and price. After rigorous testing and gathering results we have come to the conclusion that the sealers we are recommending will provide long lasting protection and will actually work as claimed.
#1 Decorative Sealer
Everclear VOX
With its environmentally friendly nature and higher gloss shine than your standard water based acrylics Everclear has proven to be an excellent non-yellowing decorative sealer. Standing up to harsh UV rays for a period of three years before needing a reapplication, this sealer is easily applied and reapplied right on top of the previous coat without needing to remove the previous sealer. If you are looking for LEED points on your next job, this sealer passes VOC regulations is all 50 states coming in under 100 g/L.
Our Take: It is difficult to find a good acrylic sealer that will last and hold up to sun, weathering, salt and rain. With Everclear VOX, we had no problems for three years and when it came time to reapply it was exceptionally easy.
#1 Concrete Densifier
Ashford Formula
It is very hard to distinguish the differences between concrete densifiers since they are all either sodium or lithium silicates, when polished, create a beautiful polished floor even if there was a mistake made during application. Ashford Formula has continuously proven to have a top performing densifying solution that is proven to work.
Our Take: If something is not broke, why fix it. Ashford Formula continues to be a reliable solutions for polished concrete floors with a name and brand you can trust with 60 years of proven performance.
#1 Waterproofing Sealer
Lithi-Tek 9500
With its unique proprietary formula incorporating molecular nanotechnology, Kretetek has one of the best penetrating, waterproofing sealers we have ever used. With its unique blend of silicates and siliconates, this sealer will not only densify concrete, but it will waterproof, prevent mold, mildew, efflorescence, radon and hydrostatic pressure. Its extremely versatile nature makes it an excellent choice for foundations, driveways, roof tiles, basements, sidewalks, patios and more. We were amazed with the ease of application and the natural, enhanced surface that beaded any sort of water and fluids, completely waterproofing our concrete.
Our Take: Might seem a little pricey retailing for $95.00 per gallon available at homedepot.com but since it is sold as a concentrate one gallon makes five gallons that will cover 1000 square feet. If you break down the price per gallon that is $19.00 per gallon which makes it a little easier to handle. In our opinion you cant put a price on a waterproofer that works.
When it comes to sealing, chimneys tend to be more of a forgotten application. That is until you come home one day to find the chimney leaking! Since chimneys are constantly exposed to the elements like wind driven rain, sun, snow, sleet and hail, they are at risk. In comparison to the cost of replacing a chimney, using a waterproofing sealer will pay off dividends in the long run. The best type of sealer to use on a chimney, both brick, stone or masonry based, is of a silane/siloxane chemistry. Silane/Siloxane products are penetrating and will leave no visible sheen or gloss. They are excellent at repelling water, preventing mold and mildew build up and preventing unsightly efflorescence. And the best part is after treatment you do not need to worry about your chimney ever leaking!
One of our favorite silane/siloxane products that we typically recommend on this site is the Ghostshield Siloxa-Tek 8500. We love this product because it is available in an ultra concentrated formulation which saves on shipping cost and it is a lot easier to move around and manage in comparison to a five gallon bucket. The price point is also on par when broken down it comes in around $40 dollars a gallon.
Concrete driveways are susceptible to numerous problems if not sealed and left untreated. During the winter deicing salts and chlorides are used to treat roadways and bridges throughout the country. Vehicles unknowingly and knowing then track these salts into the driveway and over time the concrete begins to spall, pit and crack. By using a penetrating water repellent sealer water is kept out and all of the deleterious substances being tracked into the driveway are also kept out of the concrete. A penetrating silane/siloxane blend is the best type of sealer to use on a new or existing driveway because it is able to repel water, salts, chlorides and some even repel oil and automobile fluids like the Invisible Penetrating Concrete and Masonry Water Repellent Sealer Plus Oil Repellent. The upfront cost of sealing a driveway may initially seem steep but when compared to the price of resurfacing or replacing a driveway it is actually a small price to pay for a well protected and sealed driveway. Most silane/siloxane blended sealers leave natural finishes so they will not change or alter the appearance of the driveway. If you are not looking for an oil repellent sealer the Siloxa-Tek 8500 product is an excellent choice for deicing salt and waterproofing protection surpassing the National Cooperative Highway Research Program’s (NCHRP 244 Series II & IV) water absorption and chloride intrusion tests.