Scratching/Scuffing: Scratching and scuffing are common problems. In order to prevent scratching on an interior application, use a floor wax for an additional wear layer of protection. In order to fix existing scratching, wipe Xylene on the area and reapply an extremely light new coat of concrete sealer.
Blotchy and Dark Concrete: Blotchy concrete can result from over application. In order to prevent over application, apply sealers in thin, even coats. If over application does occur, use Xylene to correct the problem.
Water Spots: If water dries on a concrete surface that has been sealed with a concrete sealer it will dry with water droplet marks from the minerals in the water. In order to prevent this from happening avoid sealing in an area where water sprinklers constantly spray. If water spots do occur, squeegee the water dry where hard water dwells on the concrete.
Roller Marks/Streaks: Roller marks or streak marks occur when the sealer was applied too heavily, unevenly, or without maintaining a wet edge. Apply thin, even coats and if roller marks occur use Xylene to correct the problem.
Dried Milky White:
Water-Based:__ When applying a water based sealer it is important to note that it dries differently than a solvent based sealer. During application if there is too much or too little humidity this can affect the appearance of the sealer. If the polymers of the sealer evaporate before the water, the sealed surface will turn a powdery white since the particles did not have ample time to come together before drying. In order to prevent this from happening try to seal with relative humidity below 85% a have a substrate that is 5 degrees above the dew point.
Solvent-Based: When a solvent based sealer turns white it is known as blushing. There are two primary causes of blushing. The first of which occurs when applying a solvent based sealer to a substrate that is wet or green and can result in the sealers inability to bond to the concrete. Instead the sealer will be stuck on a film of water. The second which occurs when a solvent based sealer is over applied or when consecutive layers of sealer are frequently applied and never removed. The thick coats of sealer can cause moisture to be trapped under the sealer leading to delamination. In order to prevent this from happening apply sealer in thin, even coats instead of one heavy application.
Blushing: Concrete Sealer blushing, also known as whitening, is a common problems when applying a decorative solvent based acrylic sealer. Blushing usually occurs when a sealer is applied to a concrete surface that is wet or newly poured. The sealer is unable to adhere to the concrete surface and instead will bond with the layer of water. Blushing also occurs when the sealer is applied too heavily or thick or when there is a lot of previous sealer buildup. This build up of sealer will trap moisture under each layer and over time all of the sealer layers will delaminate from the concrete. In order to avoid this make sure the concrete substrate is complete dry before application and apply the sealer in thin, even coats instead of one heavy coat.
Peeling/Flaking: Concrete sealers peel and flake when first applied if the application was too heavily applied or there are too many layers of sealer on top of each other. Delamination can commonly occur near the end of the lifespan of a sealer especially in high traffic areas or areas of direct sunlight. In order to prevent peeling and flaking of a new sealer make sure to wait until the previous sealer has worn away before applying a new layer of concrete sealer. If peeling or flaking is occurring prematurely use Xylene to correct the problem and re-solidify the concrete sealer.
Bubbling: Concrete sealers bubble when the application was too heavily applied or when a sealer has been applied in direct sunlight. In order to prevent this from happening apply two thin coats of sealer instead of one heavy coat. Two thin coats are much better than one, thick, heavy coat. The first coat acts like a primer and the second coat will add the even, glossy, color enhancing finish. Also make sure to apply sealer in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler. If bubbling does occur use Xylene to correct the problem and get rid of the bubbling. Do not apply another coat of sealer thinking this would rectify the issue; it will result in solvent entrapment.
Apply concrete sealers in the early morning or late evening when the temperatures are cooler to avoid curing issues.
If you are looking to reseal an application after a decorative concrete sealer fail, use the Cryli-Tek 5505.
Grip-Tek 250 can be mixed into the Cryli-Tek 5505 for added traction and slip resistance.
