Do-It-Yourself Basement Care & Repairs
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Deep-Penetrating Concrete Sealers Do-It-Yourself Basement Care & Repairs |
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One-Step Concrete Staining and Sealing |
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Concrete and blocks are very porous. The pores (capillaries) are invisible, much smaller than the diameter of a human hair, but the average residential concrete is like “Swiss cheese” - over 12 percent air. LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer performs two functions in one easy step:
Sealing & waterproofing: The sealer component (polyester and polyurethane polymers) penetrates 2–4 inches into the microscopic pores and hardens – just like the plain LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer. Similar to filling the pores with a hard plastic like epoxy. Water or efflorescence cannot budge it.
Staining: The Color Sealer contains UV-resistant pigmented stains (dyes) proven for durability in exterior paints, which penetrate and color inside the surface, rather than forming a film. It also contains acrylic resins to provide a satin or glossy finish.
The resulting surface remains suitable for flooring adhesives. (It even remains paintable but avoid latex paints or sealers with silicone, silane, or siloxane.)
Unlike paints or acid stains, it resists the abrasion of vehicular traffic.
Environment-friendly: Water-based, no hydrocarbon solvents, none or very low VOCs. Non-toxic, nonflammable, and non-hazardous. None or a slight odor. Check out the Color Sealer MSDS (in PDF) and Color Sealer Spec (PDF).
Acid stains are limited to only a few variations of brown, black, and blue-green. Concrete paints sold in stores also offer a limited range of colors. But LastiSeal Color Sealer lets your “inner decorator” out! – it delivers unrivaled 36 earth tones and tropical colors, a white, and endless combinations. Check the color charts:
| Earth Colors Pallet | Tropical Colors Pallet |
|---|---|
Color pallets in PDF format — earth colors and tropical colors.
LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer creates an attractive, mottled look. Unlike concrete stains or paints, the color is not uniform. It lets the interesting surface texture show through.
An endless variety of colors and shades: You can combine colors by applying a second application of another color, sponging, or mixing together two Color Sealers before the application. If you would like a lighter color, dilute the Color Sealer by mixing it with the plain "LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer - Gloss/Satin."
The intensity and variability of the color depends a lot on the porosity of the surface. Porous areas will absorb more stain, resulting in a darker color. A very "bumpy" surface like stucco will result in very uneven coloring.
Number of applications: One application results in a lighter, more transparent color. Two applications provide a more intense/vibrant color. Unusually porous concrete or masonry may need three or even four applications. Successive applications are applied a day apart (or later). Since the surface may already bead, use a foam roller to spread the sealer. But do not over-apply – the sealer should absorb into the surface instead of forming a film like paints, which could wear off.
For waterproofing concrete or masonry, two applications are required.
LastiSeal Color Sealer leaves a translucent satin finish Lighter colors, particularly, are used to create a marble-like finish.
If you prefer a more uniform, less translucent finish, to hide minor blemishes in the concrete, use 3 (or 4) applications of titanium-based colors – dark gray, forest green, mocha cream, or beach sand.
Concrete paints and brick paints do not last because they form a film, which cracks and peels or wears off. Particularly, when the concrete is exposed to moisture from the ground – like basement floors and walls, foundation slabs, garage floors, driveways, or patios. And re-painting the old paint will just trap more water vapor and speed up the peeling of both layers.
Why concrete paints fail:
Epoxy paints are more durable and also much more expensive. But they are nonporous and if the concrete is in contact with the ground, they trap water vapor, which makes them bubble and crack. Most painting contractors guarantee them only for 5 years. Information on acrylic, epoxy, and urethane concrete paints
A better solution would be to color concrete without covering it with a surface film to avoid trapping moisture. We all know from experience with wood that stains last much longer than paints - stains cannot peel.
Similarly to wood, you can dye masonry with a pigmented stain. The fine particles penetrate into the pores in the surface and create a translucent appearance. Some dyes are UV-resistant. Paint stores also sell universal tints, which produce opaque colors.
But the problem is that, when exposed to moisture, concrete stains soon fade because of efflorescence, lime, and alkalis coming up from the concrete. Although stains do not trap water vapor like concrete paints, their color dulls even faster.
Recently, concrete acid stains (chemical stains) have become very popular for coloring concrete floors.
The photographs of freshly stained concrete look so beautiful! Unlike paints, they show off the surface texture. Acid stains use an acid to open up the surface and metallic salts, which react with concrete and create the color.
Acid staining is rather costly. After neutralizing and rinsing off acid residue, the surface has to be protected with multiple coats of a sealer. It is very labor-intensive. Contractors charge $2 to $4 per square foot and more. The chemicals are also available for do-it-yourself application.
But many homeowners are disappointed when, after a couple of years, the color turns dull or dark brown. An acid stained concrete floor requires regular maintenance. It must be waxed or sealed to protect the surface. Acid stained concrete, when exposed to moisture from above or below, gradually changes color. Blue-green color will slowly turn brown or even black.
Why concrete acid stains deteriorate:
Acid etching damages the surface of the concrete and the acids are not healthy to the applicator or the environment. It would be better to avoid acids.
Obviously, before painting or dyeing concrete, it should be internally sealed against capillary water seepage, water vapor, and efflorescence. Our penetrating concrete sealers do the job better than any other sealer. But this means at least two separate steps - sealing and then, painting the concrete. Isn’t there a better solution?
LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is a technological breakthrough – it combines concrete sealing and staining in one easy step:
Now you can color and seal all your concrete in one step! Add some color and excitement to your dull concrete! And instead of watching concrete paint peel, relax! - LastiSeal Color Sealer is permanent. There are no harmful acids. Check out a comparison acid staining vs. Masonry Color Sealer
Click to enlarge! |
Masonry Color Sealer seals, dyes, and protects a wide range of porous building materials – new or old, indoor or outdoor, below or above grade:
LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is suitable for the most demanding contractors and building owners, creative artists, as well as homeowners.
| Commercial Uses | Uses around Your Home |
| Warehouse floors | Basement floor and walls |
| Factory floors | Foundation slab |
| Parking areas and garages | Garage floor |
| Exterior concrete walls | Concrete driveway |
| Exterior brick walls | Patio |
| Waterproofing foundations | Pool deck |
| Retaining walls | Sidewalks |
| Historical brick buildings | Concrete stairs |
Create sophisticated color patterns by stenciling! Temporarily mask some areas using the blue painter’s tape and plastic or paper. After the stain dries, mask the already stained areas and color the rest. Beside floors, you can also create patterns on walls (impossible with acid staining). The edges are not as sharp as with paint and many contractors first cut in groves to create a tile effect.
LastiSeal Color Sealer is great for concrete floors in restaurants, bars, and for concrete countertops. The sealer and the added acrylic both resist alcohol, wine, mustard, vinegar, and other kitchen products. But to protect the surface against abuse, let it cure for 4-5 days and cover it with a couple layers of wax or a transparent coating for extra protection and the finishing touch.
If you prefer a glossy finish and there is no concern about a potentially slippery surface when wet, you have several options for adding a clear coating over the two applications of LastiSeal Color Sealer:
Preferably, use water-based surface coatings instead of solvent-based, which release high VOCs and noxious fumes. However, solvent-based sealers create the deepest "wet look" finish. When planning to use a solvent-based coating, request the "matte" finish of LastiSeal Color Sealer.
Before waxing or adding a clear coating, let the Color Sealer thoroughly dry out for at least 4–5 days. Acrylic, urethane, and epoxy coatings adhere much better to Masonry Color Sealer than to bare concrete because of a chemical bond, and form a thicker and stronger layer due to lower absorption. But most importantly, there will be no moisture or efflorescence from the concrete pushing the coating off.
The colorless "plain" sealer is the LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer, which uses the same penetrating sealer. It leaves no color, film or shine on the surface for a matte/flat finish. Or you can use LastiSeal Satin/Gloss enriched with acrylics to form an attractive satin finish on smooth surfaces.
The Masonry Color Sealer is also available in matte finish (flat -no sheen). When ordering, you have to request it by phone or e-mail.
Masonry Color Sealer seals and waterproofs permanently. Backed up by manufacturer’s limited 10-year Waterproofing Warranty. Waterproofing requires two applications of the sealer. Very porous surfaces need three or even more applications. The masonry has to be sound without excessive porosity. The sealer cannot waterproof materials with extremely large pores like some lightweight CMUs, splitface blocks, cinder blocks, or old masonry already badly deteriorated by extensive water seepage.
Waterproofs concrete, concrete blocks, bricks, mortar, stucco, light-weight blocks, split-face blocks.
Protects the surface: Keeps out contaminants, road salts, spills and chemicals. Reduces abrasion due to traffic. Protects outdoor concrete against freeze-thaw damage and road salts.
Reduces efflorescence: The “white powder” is an evidence of capillary water seepage, which gradually leaches out and degrades concrete. Use the Color Sealer against both water seepage and efflorescence.
Reduces vapor transmission: Seal the concrete before installing flooring or wall coverings.
Strengthens concrete: Reduces crumbling, spalling, pitting, and cracking.
Reduces concrete dusting: Concrete dust is very fine particles of silica – glass. When inhaled, they cut into the lung tissue. Seal the concrete before letting the children play in an unfinished basement! Several applications may be needed on very porous concrete to fill the pores to the top.
Prevents molds and mildew: Keeps out dampness and does not allow mold spores to settle inside pores.
The Color Sealer can be applied with a hand-pump garden sprayer or a roller. Before ordering, make sure to check out Application Instructions & Tips and the pail label (PDF)
Coverage may vary widely depending on porosity:
LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is not sold in stores but is delivered by courier from the factory directly to your doors. Shipping normally within 24 hours on workdays. Delivery in 3–5 working days within the lower 48 states.
| Size | Price | S & H |
| 5-gallon pail | $234 | $24 |
| 1-gallon jug | $52 | $9 |
| 8-oz. sample | $9.90 | $6.10 |
Based on shipping by courier to the lower 48 states. No sales tax.
Returns are not accepted – please get test samples first to make sure of the color and proper sealer penetration.
Price comparison:
Masonry Color Sealer will save you lots of money because it combines two products into one - waterproofing and coloring. And it eliminates repeated paint removal and re-applications.
LastiSeal Masonry Sealer has made concrete painting and acid staining obsolete. It does much more, offers a great choice of colors, is permanent, and still costs much less.
Any questions? Please contact us by e-mail,
telephone (203) 225-0366 or toll-free 1-800-472-0603
MADE IN USA
Products not sold through retail stores. Available exclusively from:
Radon Mitigation & Waterproofing Concrete Sealer Co.
Novion Inc., 18 L'Hermitage Drive, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
RadonSeal™ is a registered trademark. Copyright © 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
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