If you are looking for a decorative product for stamped concrete, you're better off choosing an acrylic sealer, whether solvent- or water-based to achieve maximum decorative results. Penetrating concrete sealers can also be used but will not any aesthetic appeal to stamped concrete, they will however last a lot longer and will never peel, flake or delaminate.
Acrylic sealers consist of large particles suspended in either a solvent or water. When applied to your concrete, the acrylic particles will not penetrate into the concrete through the pores on the surface, because the particles will be too large. Instead, the particles will pool on top of the concrete creating a protective barrier. Once properly applied, an acrylic sealer will cover the entire surface of the concrete, acting as a sort of raincoat for your surfaces. Rather than react chemically with the chemicals and minerals within the concrete, as a penetrating sealer will do, acrylic sealers will simply protect the surface of your concrete.
Ghostshield offers the Cryli-Tek 5500 which is a water based acrylic if you are looking for a low sheen finish or the Cryli-Tek 5505 if you are looking for a high gloss, wet look finish.
Penetrating sealers are excellent choices if you are looking for the longest lasting protection and if you are looking for deicing salt protection on driveways, walkways and patios. The Siloxa-Tek 8500 will last upwards of ten years before needing to be reapplied.
