Sealing a Concrete surface is a task you can take on by yourself, and while it is a process you can take on by yourself, that doesn't make it any less complicated. The first thing you want to consider is that there are two products you can use to apply sealer to your Concrete and depending on which type of sealer you are applying may depend on what method would be best. You can roll or spray on topical acrylic Concrete Sealer; both have advantages and disadvantages. If you are applying a Penetrating sealer, then the sealer must be sprayed applied only.
Once you understand the type of Concrete you are working with, it will be easier to choose the correct Concrete Sealer and method for applying.
Spraying Concrete sealers tends to be the more commonly used method for contractors and larger jobs, and rolling is more for the homeowner or smaller jobs. Once again, if you choose to use a Penetrating Concrete sealer, it must be sprayed onto the surface and topical sealers can be applied either way.
Some advantages to using a roller versus a sprayer for topical sealers is you are in control of how much sealer you are applying to the concrete at a time. Sealer can be applied to heavy and then you can run into bonding issues. You tend to use more sealer for spraying then rolling and the cost of a Solvent based Sealer can, can be a turn off for something you only use every couple of years. The disadvantage to rolling is, it can be time consuming.
The application's differs depending on which method you choose. Something key to keep in mind is this will be a full-day project. You will have to clean the surface and give it ample time to dry. Not allowing proper drying time can cause the Sealer to appear foggy when applied. A way to avoid this is washing it the day prior to sealing. An excellent citric cleaner to use is E- etch, this will also open the pours of the concrete and allows for better adhesion. E-etch Must be Neutralized using Neutra Clean. Penetrating sealers don’t require a treatment of E-etch. Be sure to follow the application instructions as it can be tricky if its not applied properly.
Once you have cleaned the surface, depending on the type of Sealer (topical for example), you will want to apply a thin coat of Sealer by either roller or sprayer, whichever suits your job. You will wait for the first layer to dry which takes about 2-3 hours, you can then apply the second coat of Sealer in the opposite direction, and then allow the Sealer to dry fully. No foot traffic on it for 5-6 hours after the second coat and no vehicle traffic on it for 24 hours. Now that you have read this blog, its time to decide which application method for sealer works best for you. Unicon carries everything in stock that you will need for either application.
Product Links:
https://unicon.ca/4-gallon-sprayer-solvent/
https://unicon.ca/roller-refill/
https://unicon.ca/metal-paint-tray/