Best brand of concrete sealer

by Teddy

Q. I have a stamped concrete patio and it needs to be sealed again. I had hired it done in the past, but thought it's something I should be able to do myself. Do you have a favorite brand of concrete sealer. I would want a film-forming as I want to enhance the color and I like the wet look.

Thanks.

Teddy Wright

A. Sealing a stamped concrete patio is something you can do yourself. Clean the concrete by washing and scrubbing it with a mild detergent and water. Let the concrete dry for 24 hrs before applying the sealer.

I have had good luck with Butterfield Color 2.92 VOC clear guard high performance clear acrylic non-yellowing cure & seal. You may want to check with Butterfield for compatibility with the sealer currently on the stamped concrete.

Make sure the weather is going to be dry for the next couple days before sealing. Apply the sealer late in the afternoon or early evening when the temperature is cool, around the 60's or 70's.

Apply the sealer with a paint roller or a pump up sprayer. Two thin coats are better than one thick coat. There is an additive called gator-grip that can be mixed with the sealer to help the patio from being slippery when it gets wet. It's invisible, so you can't see it after the sealer drys.

You should be able to get 200 - 300 square feet of coverage per gallon of sealer.