Concrete Sealants...?

BoydS

I'm a newbie here, but have been reading the posts on this site for some time now. I have a question related to the use of a concrete sealant. Here's the situation.

I'm installing a workshop that will be used to restore old military vehicles. The concrete floor will be a smooth finished surfaced and I'm looking for recomendations as to what sealant would be best suited for this type of application. I'm basically looking for a penatrating sealant that will block tire marks, oil, grease and other liquids. I've read a bit about products from Behr, VSeal (industra-seal 117) and Ultrapel, but haven't found anyone who has actually used them and what their thoughts are about the products. I would like something to last for several years without having to incur additional cost of a reapplication in a couple of years. All suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks ...

Gordo

Try a two part epoxy. Ben Moore has a good product. Read the directions.

This is the stuff they use at the dealerships (garage and showroom).

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Looks like some pros were here.

YourWayPainting

Just make sure that whatever product you use is a good one, and you do proper prepping. I always etch the floors and degrease any problem areas.
Also, make sure that you give the product ample time to cure. I ususally tell my customers to wait one day before walking on the garage floor, three days before putting anything heavy on the floor, and one week before driving on the floor. A bit of overkill, but better safe than sorry.
http://epoxy-coat.com/

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Teetorbilt

Put mats under the tires if they are going to be in one place for a while. Tires tend to stain anything.

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calypso

I am interested in this too. Over the years I have tried alot of different concrete sealers and concrete mixtures trying to find the one that lasts the longest outdoors in the weather. I tell all my clients to apply sealer every year if they want to keep that smooth top surface of the concrete tiles looking good. I have realized over the years that none of them will ever add more sealer so I am always looking for the best sealer I can get ahold of. Without sealer the surface of my tile begins to dissolve away and after three years and they take on a sandblasted look. (which still looks ok)
I am experimenting with Chemseal right now. It says it bonds with the excess cacium in the concrete to turn the surface into a harder quartz like material. They use it in parking garages and bridges etc. You don't need to reapply it. I quess it will take me a few years to see how it works over time.
I also am trying the two part epoxy on the custom concrete tiles I make. I applied some to my tiles outside on our walkway. It has been about six months and the epoxy is flaking away on some of them. I suppose on those tiles where it is flaking, there was already a sealer on them that the epoxy can't bond to. It should work great on new concrete.
The best sealer I have found so far is the exterior "tile lab" sealant. I have some old samples out in the weather that are at least six years old where the tile lab is still visable on 50% of the surface with only one application. I don't know if it protects from grease and acids though like the epoxy.

strongfloors

If you have let your tile go for several years without sealer, is there anything special you should do before sealing them again?

TimNJ

Make sure you have a good vapor barrier under slab otherwise anything you put on top of the slab will come off if moisture is migrating up through the slab.
When I worked on an AF base years ago they used a clear sealer on the hangar floors. I wish I could remember what it was. As you can imagine with aircraft maintenance it was indistructable.

HD3

Id use a prod called seal hard it gets harder and shiner over time. as was metioned before u need a vapier barrier under the slab.

jschuler

the sealer is Pentra Guard from Convergent Concrete Technologies. The stuff is awesome...hard...great against oils and stains. They have the military contracts for sealing those hangers.

They have developed a great sealer for concrete countertops that used very similar technology as their flooring sealers.

Give them a call.

Same Old

You could look into having the floors polished as well. But I'm not 100% certain that will resist oil staining.

BoydS

Some very good advice given here and I do appreciate that. I do like the Pentra Guard product. I checked out their website and was impressed with this product. The website does state that a "authorized applicator" can only apply the product. I need to contact them to find out a bit more info. I would like to know if any of ya'll have used this product. It seems to be just what I am looking for.

Thanks for the info...

mkai22

We usually use Innova-Seal or Innova-Dye from Innovatech. Their staff is really informative and were contactors for years. Their website could use some work but the staff is well experienced. They have always guided me with our purchasing needs and have never steered us wrong.