Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
Sikafloor-956 Formula One LD RTU is a ready-to-use lithium silicate densifier for hardening, dustproofing and polishing concrete floors. It was originally sold as Scofield Formula One Lithium Densifier MP and later as Sikafloor-956 LD, and it is now sold under the Sikafloor-956 Formula One LD RTU name. It’s a proven professional product for polished and densified floors, but it is not a water or stain sealer on its own.
| Type | Penetrating densifier/hardener (not a coating) |
| Chemistry | Water-based lithium silicate with a penetrating aid; 12% solids by volume |
| Finish | No film; non-yellowing; sheen comes from polishing |
| Coverage | 200–400 sq. ft. per gallon on flat finished concrete |
| Coats | Two; second coat when the first is dry to the touch |
| Dry/recoat | About 1 hour to walkable and ready to polish (70°F, 50% RH) |
| Cure | Wait 24 hours before applying a sealer or guard |
| VOC | Low VOC, low odor (no number listed) |
| Best for | Polished concrete, dye-locking, dustproofing warehouse, retail and basement floors |
| Not for | Stain or water protection by itself; sealed or coated floors |
| New concrete | At least 7 days old; 28 days preferred |
| Packaging | 5-gallon pail, 55-gallon drum (50-gallon fill) |
Watch: Sikafloor-956 Formula One in 60 seconds
What It Is / How It Works
Scofield is now part of Sika, and the Formula One line has moved to Sikafloor naming. Sika's product page lists "SCOFIELD Formula One Lithium Densifier MP" and "Sikafloor-956 LD" as former names of the current Sikafloor-956 Formula One LD RTU. If you have an older spec or bag label calling for Formula One Lithium Densifier MP, this is the product.
It's a water-based lithium silicate. Once applied, it reacts with the cement, pozzolans and aggregate in the slab to harden and densify the surface. It is not a film, so Sika says it "will not crack, peel, or delaminate." Sika lists it as non-yellowing, UV and weather resistant, and useful against efflorescence, frost damage and alkali-silica reaction (ASR). In polishing work it speeds up grinding and locks in dyes.
The "RTU" means ready to use. The data sheet says not to dilute it. That's different from the separate Sikafloor-956 LD product page, which allows dilution for very hard, freshly ground concrete. Read the label on the pail you actually buy.
Where It Works Best (and where it doesn't)
Sika lists interior and exterior floors, stairs, walkways, terrazzo, polished floors, countertops and below-grade basements. It is a strong fit for polished concrete, dusty warehouse or shop floors, and bare basement slabs where you want a harder, easier-to-clean surface with no coating to wear off.
Two important limits come straight from the data sheet. First, it "does not provide water or oil resistance without further treatment," so a garage floor or patio still needs a sealer or guard if stains matter. Sika pairs it with Sikafloor-958 Formula One Finish Coat or Sikafloor-959 Formula One Guard W for that. Second, it is labeled for experienced professionals, and dried residue can only be removed mechanically. A homeowner can apply it, but sloppy work leaves white haze that's hard to fix. For a homeowner seeking water repellency, a product from our best penetrating concrete sealers guide may be the better fit.
Pros
- Hardens and dustproofs without a film that can peel or delaminate
- Fast: walkable and ready to polish in about an hour under standard conditions
- Ready to use, with no mixing or dilution
- Low odor, low VOC and non-yellowing
- Locks in dyes and shortens polishing time
- Usable indoors or outdoors, including below-grade slabs
Cons
- No water or oil resistance on its own; needs a sealer or guard for stain protection
- Labeled for experienced professionals
- Puddles and dried residue are hard to remove; only mechanical removal works
- Sold in 5-gallon pails and drums, mostly through contractor suppliers
- Not a curing compound and doesn't replace proper curing
- Surface is slippery while wet
How to Apply It
- Wait until the slab is at least 7 days old. Sika prefers 28 days so the concrete is dry and absorbent.
- Make sure the floor is dry and free of sealers, curing compounds, oil and other contaminants. If you're polishing, grind to the aggregate exposure you want, finishing with 80–200 grit, and remove all dust and laitance.
- Do a test area first to confirm color, finish and slip resistance. Mask walls and nearby surfaces against splashes.
- Agitate lightly, then saturate the floor with a pump garden sprayer. Keep it wet for 5–10 minutes.
- Work it in with a broom, mop or sponge. Spread puddles before they dry and avoid lap marks. If puddles remain after 30 minutes, dilute and pick them up with a wet vacuum.
- When the first coat is dry to the touch, apply a second coat. Wet polishing can start at that point.
- If you're not polishing or sealing, rinse with clean water and return the floor to service once dry. If you're sealing, wait 24 hours so the densifier can cure.
Sika's drying figures are based on 70°F and 50% relative humidity. Store and use it above freezing; the storage range is 40–120°F.
How It Compares
Euclid EUCOSIL is a sodium silicate densifier. It's aimed at warehouse, institutional and polished floors and leaves treated concrete slightly water-beading. Euclid warns that excess left on the surface turns into white residue, and it needs 4–6 hours before foot traffic, versus about an hour for Sikafloor-956. That speed difference matters on polishing jobs.
Sikafloor-956 LD is Sika's sister product that can be diluted 1:1 on very hard, freshly ground concrete and is listed as 0 VOC. It's useful if you need flexibility on dense slabs.
Super-Krete S1300 Pene-Krete is a spray-applied penetrating densifier marketed for moisture vapor reduction and coating prep rather than polishing. Choose it if your goal is prepping a slab for a topcoat, not grinding and polishing.
FAQ
Is Scofield Formula One Lithium Densifier MP discontinued?
The Scofield name is retired, but the product isn't. Sika lists Scofield Formula One Lithium Densifier MP as a former name of Sikafloor-956 Formula One LD RTU, which is a current product.
Does a lithium densifier make concrete waterproof?
No. Sika says it does not provide water or oil resistance without further treatment. It hardens the surface; a sealer or guard handles stains and water. For water protection, see our best concrete sealers for 2026.
Can I use it on new concrete?
Yes, once the slab is at least 7 days old, though 28 days is preferred. It is not a curing compound, so the slab still needs proper curing first.
Can you seal over it?
Yes. Wait 24 hours, then apply a compatible sealer or guard. Sika points to its Formula One Finish Coat and Guard W for polished floors.
Verdict
Sikafloor-956 Formula One LD RTU is a well-documented, fast-drying lithium densifier that does exactly what a densifier should: harden, dustproof and help polishing, with no film to fail. It loses points for homeowners because it's sold in bulk through pro channels, needs careful application to avoid residue and still requires a separate sealer for stain or water protection. For its intended use, it's one of the safer choices. Our rating: 4.4/5
How we reviewed this product: this is a research-based review built from the manufacturer's technical data sheet and current retail listings. We have not run our own hands-on tests of this product. Details were checked in October 2026; always follow the current label.