Shiny concrete typically retains the visual appeal without sacrificing any of its structural integrity. If you use a quality concrete sealer, it will also remain as slip-resistant as untreated concrete. The shine of a properly sealed concrete slab can make the otherwise boring exterior seem like a more welcoming, sleek, and successful facade.
The process to seal concrete so that it results in an exterior shine is not all that difficult either. First, you need to seal the concrete slab with a densifer, such as Lithi-Tek 4500. This product will penetrate within the concrete to react chemically beneath the surface. These chemical reactions will lead to the production of more calcium silicate hydrate, a mineral already present within the concrete naturally. The addition of more calcium silicate hydrate will help fill in the various cracks and pores that are natural to concrete, by-products of its creation. The extra CSH will densify the material, making it stronger and more resistant to such dangers as water damage and cracking.
It is necessary to seal the concrete with the Lithi-Tek 4500 because the next step will render that impossible. Once the slab is properly sealed and has dried, you will need to polish the concrete. This is a relatively straightforward process that basically means the surface of the concrete will be shaved to rid it of its imperfections. The result will be a perfectly flat, polished, and shiny exterior that is already protected from danger due to the application of the densifer, enhancing the visual appeal of any concrete surface.
