Concrete Countertop Sealer - DIY Guide

Physical countertop sealer is necessary if you want concrete countertops. Remodeling a kitchen adds more value than remodeling any other room. This is because of the impression they make forth with the components of a kitchen.

The components of a kitchen are very expensive compared to those in other rooms. People care much more than about having an expensive kitchen than they practise about other rooms. And the focus is always on the countertops.

While well-nigh people volition have laminate, granite, or marble countertops, you lot can have physical countertops too. This new tendency is very attractive and the quality all comes downwards to how well the countertops are sealed.

What Is Physical Countertop Sealer?

A concrete countertop sealer is a protective blanket that you apply to concrete countertops to make them last longer and even wait meliorate. They come in many forms and don't alter the color of your concrete as a stain does.

Related: Give Your Kitchen a Facelift with the Best Epoxy Countertop Kit

Do you know what else stains concrete though? Food, drinks, and annihilation else you may identify on your countertops. A concrete countertop sealer will foreclose these types of stains from ruining your countertop.

Physical is quite porous then it is of import to proceed it well-protected. Without sealer, anything can seep into the pores and wreak havoc on your amazing countertops. So never utilize concrete countertops without a sealer.

Best Physical Countertop Sealer

Kitchen island bar with concrete — Image from ODS Architecture

Although in that location are many different concrete countertop sealers that work fine, we are going to offer you two options that nosotros know works well firsthand. These two products are all you lot demand to seal your countertops.

Never employ products that aren't made for natural stone or ones that are dangerous to eat around. These include polyurethane and other similar formulas. Never use polyurethane on your countertops.

Miracle Sealants 511QT6 511 Impregnator Sealer

This miracle sealant really is a phenomenon. It can piece of work on almost whatsoever natural surface and offers a great chip of protection, indoors or outdoors. And then even if you have outdoor kitchen countertops, you tin use this sealer.

The only thing that people tend to not like virtually this sealer is that it is invisible. This seems like a skillful affair but there are cases when you want to make your countertops shine too, non just be protected.

AFM Safecoat Acrylacq Gloss

When it comes to getting a shimmer that glimmers this is a dandy selection. Oftentimes, both this topcoat and the Miracle Sealant are used. Because the Miracle Sealant has amazing protection and this one looks smashing.

The Safecoat also offers protection but people normally purchase it for the gloss that it adds. You volition non observe a amend concrete countertop sealer that does more than protect your countertops but makes them look ten times nicer.

If you just desire to utilize i sealer, then use this one if yous want your countertops to be shiny and the other if you only desire protection. But if you tin afford both then employ both considering they're a dynamic duo.

How To Utilize Concrete Countertop Sealer

When it comes to sealing concrete countertops, all you really demand to know is how to read. If you tin can read the instructions on the bottles of sealer then you can seal your physical countertops. But just in case, we are offering a small tutorial.

This tutorial will take you through the few steps it takes to seal concrete countertops. You'll observe out that information technology is easier than you might recollect and that you can accept it done in a calendar week's time when drying time is included.

Step i: Assemble Sealer

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We've already talked about the two principal sealers for concrete countertops. For our physical countertops, we used both sealers. We started with the 511 Impregnator Sealer and then did the Safecoat Acrylacq.

You can apply your own batter of sealers or find one single sealer that you lot experience will do the task well. Just if you lot are looking for recommendations, these two sealers piece of work together to create a sight seal and a glossy bail.

Pace two: Utilize Sealer

After y'all accept the sealer prepare you lot can follow the directions on the canteen and slowly utilize it to the countertop. Starting time by getting a separate container to utilize and comport it around with you. Then a soft bristle brush for applying.

Avoid using cheap sponge brushes for this job. Or whatsoever chore really. Invest in a proficient set of soft bristle brushes made for projects like this. As for the container, it really doesn't matter as long as y'all can concord it comfortably.

Step 3: Wipe Counter

Permit the sealer sit for five to ten minutes and so wipe off the excess. To exist honest, the countertop may look a little night and strange at this point, but that'southward okay. It will dry to its natural color with this sealer.

Concrete sealer does darken every bit it ages, only this takes a long time. Your concrete won't lose its natural colour for quite a while and definitely non later the offset application unless y'all buy a sealer with stain.

Step four: Dry And Wait

Now it'due south fourth dimension to wait. You demand to let the sealer dry for a day, or 24 hours. This is just for the first glaze. You can apply as many coats as you desire but information technology is hard to tell how many you lot need, even afterward you apply them.

To be safety, if you are using a 2nd sealer, then employ two coats, allow the first to dry for a twenty-four hour period before applying the second. Or all the same long information technology says you need to expect on the bottle of the chosen sealer.

Stride five: Apply Second Sealer

This sealer works very well every bit a top coat and tin protect the countertop confronting damage. Pour some of this onto the countertop directly and become to piece of work. You volition immediately notice a shimmer despite the milky texture.

This sealer will dry clear and you will be shocked at what it looks like when it does dry. If yous see bubbles when you lot apply this sealer, then brush them away with a brush wet with sealer. Endeavour not to go out bubbles.

Step 6: Allow Dry

At present let this dry for eight hours or nevertheless long it happens to say on the package. You'll notice that information technology doesn't take as long to dry because it is thinner than the other sealer. Simply after you finish, there is a longer wait time.

You lot can always await for longer than information technology says on the package only you can't wait for a shorter amount of time without issues. Climate does affair but merely to exist safe, wait the extra hours. Only skilful can come from it.

Step7: Sand And Repeat

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You can add as many coats of Safecoat as you want, just brand sure that you lightly sand betwixt each coat. Every bit for the concluding coat, sanding is optional. If the countertop is the texture that you want it to exist, then exit information technology.

If you want a super smooth countertop use very loftier count sandpaper. So if you desire a rougher texture more like rock, and then use low-count sandpaper. Or, go with the naturally smooth texture of the unsanded sealer.

Stride 8: Let Dry And Finish Upward

Kitchen concrete countertop Let Dry And Finish Up 1024x683

Information technology may simply take eight hours for the sealer to dry only it can have up to iii days for information technology to fully cure. So make sure you allow it cure before using it unless you want to have problems afterwards. These issues include ii things.

The first matter that can happen is chemicals seeping into your food which is very dangerous. The 2nd thing is the counter beingness hands scratched or stained, which volition ensure you have to exercise touchups. So give information technology the three-mean solar day expect time.

Is Concrete Countertop Sealer Necessary?

Do The Concrete Countertops Need Resealed — Image from On Site Management, Inc.

Virtually of the time, physical countertops do non need to be resealed, peculiarly if they are well taken care of. If you have had them for over a decade, then at that place's a good chance past the fourth dimension that decade rolls around, you can add together some other coat.

Usually, you tin simply clean the countertop and add another topcoat. Simply if yous want to stain them while you're at it, so you lot'll need to sand away the old sealer and employ the new coats later the stain has dried.

Physical Countertop Sealer Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some mutual questions virtually concrete countertop sealers.

How Many Concrete Countertop Sealer Coats Practice I Need?

You lot may exist able to get past with one coat. But 2 coats are all-time. More than two and coats may stick together and peel off. Stick to two for all-time results.

How Long Does Concrete Countertop Sealer Final?

This depends on the sealer. Epoxy and polyethylene can last up to ten years. Weaker sealers may only last ane or two years. Exist careful when yous use strong sealers in the kitchen as it tin be toxic to eat off of a countertop that you seal with chemicals.

How Long Does Concrete Need To Cure Before Sealing?

Concrete needs to cure for about a calendar month before you seal it. This seems like a long time but unless the weather are perfect, you can't seal it sooner than two weeks after y'all lay the concrete.

Is H2o-Based Or Solvent-Based Sealer Better?

Solvent-based sealers penetrate concrete surfaces well. They give a rich and nighttime look. Water-based sealers with await matte later on you terminate and sit on the surface. Either works. Water-based is less toxic and solvent-based lasts longer.

Keeping Your Countertops Looking Prissy

Maintaining your concrete countertops isn't at all hard. The first pace is to make clean them every unmarried day with an all-purpose cleaner. It can also exist important to go on them dry which is helpful with any type of countertop.

There are many things that can stain the sealer. Stains on the sealer are rare but keep them away when you tin. So spray with the all-purpose cleaner, rinse with a clean rag without cleaner on information technology, then dry it well.

Keep in mind that stains on concrete sealers are very rare and hardly ever happen. But it is always best to keep surfaces clean to requite them their best chance at having a long and cute life in your home.

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