What are sealers?
A sealer is a protective coating or treatment applied to a surface, such as stone, tile, concrete, or grout, to reduce absorption of water, oils, and other contaminants. Sealers form a barrier that helps keep stains, moisture, and dirt from penetrating the material.
What are the benefits of sealing your surfaces?
Using a sealer offers several important benefits, especially for porous materials like natural stone, tile, concrete, and grout. Here are the key advantages:
Stain Protection: Prevents water, oils, wine, dirt, and other liquids from penetrating and leaving permanent stains.
Easier Cleaning: Sealed surfaces resist buildup of grime, making routine maintenance faster and more effective.
Moisture Resistance: Helps protect against water damage, freeze-thaw cracking, and efflorescence in outdoor areas.
Preserves Appearance: Maintains the natural color and texture of the surface, or enhances it if using a color-enhancing sealer.
Extends Lifespan: Reduces wear, erosion, and weathering, keeping the material in good condition longer.
Mold and Mildew Prevention: By reducing moisture absorption, sealers help inhibit mold and mildew growth, especially in damp areas like showers or pool decks.
UV Protection (for some sealers): Outdoor sealers can help prevent fading or discoloration from sunlight exposure.
How often should you seal?
Every situation is unique. Resealing frequency depends on the material and its level of exposure. Surfaces exposed to the elements or heavy foot traffic require more frequent maintenance than protected indoor areas. ecause porous materials are more vulnerable to moisture and staining, they should be treated regularly to ensure lasting protection.
Countertops and high-use kitchen areas typically benefit from annual resealing. Likewise, shower tile and bathroom floors exposed to daily water contact should be resealed once a year—or sooner if absorption becomes noticeable.
For interior surfaces, re-sealing is recommended as needed based on wear patterns. Applying a protective floor finish can extend the life of the sealer and be refreshed as desired.
Outdoor surfaces should be resealed every one or two years to preserve appearance and maximize resistance to weathering.
How do you prepare the surface for sealing?
Proper surface preparation is essential to ensure optimal sealer performance and long-lasting protection. Always make sure the surface is clean, dry, and free of any dust, grease, oil, wax, or other contaminants that could interfere with penetration or adhesion.
If a cleaning product is used prior to sealing, rinse the surface thoroughly to remove all residues and cleaning agents. Any remaining cleaner can leave a film that prevents proper bonding. Allow the surface to dry completely before applying sealer. More porous materials such as travertine, limestone, or concrete may require extended drying time to ensure that all moisture has evaporated from within the surface.
Before beginning, read the entire product label and safety instructions. Always test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area or sample piece to confirm desired results and compatibility.
For best results, apply only when the surface temperature is between 60°F and 80°F (16°C–27°C) and when conditions are dry and well-ventilated. Avoid applying when the surface is very hot or when rain is expected within a couple hours.
Sealers perform best when applied directly to a bare, untreated surface, allowing for maximum penetration and protection. If the surface has been previously sealed, consider stripping or lightly abrading it before application to ensure proper bonding.
What is the coverage area of the sealers?
Refer to the product label for specific coverage rates, as they can vary by product. In general:
For very porous surfaces: 150-250 sq. ft./gallon
For average density surfaces: 250-350 sq. ft./gallon
For very dense surfaces: 500+ sq. ft./gallon.
Generally, the sealer will go further on a second coat as it did on the 1st coat.
How do you apply the sealer?
Sealers can be applied with a low pressure spray applicator, brush, short nap roller, or lint free rag. Always refer to the product label for specific instructions. Apply sealer evenly and uniformly, avoiding puddling. Use the application method that makes the most sense for the area you are working.
Spray Application: Hold the sprayer approximately 8–12 inches from the surface and apply a consistent, even coat. Ensure complete coverage while keeping the surface uniformly wet during application.
Brush or Roller Application: Apply using even, overlapping strokes to achieve full coverage. Use a brush or roller compatible with solvent-based or water-based products, as indicated on the label.
Cloth Application: For smaller areas or detailed work, use a clean, lint-free cloth to wipe the sealer onto the surface in smooth, even passes, ensuring uniform saturation.
How long should I wait between coats?
The time between coats depends on the type of sealer and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.. Refer to individual product label for drying time and coating instructions, as different products have different curing times.
For impregnating sealers, a second coat can be applied 30 minutes to an hour after the first coat.
For enhancing sealers, allow 1-4 hours between coats. Cooler temperatures or high humidity may extend drying times, while warmer, dry conditions may shorten them.
Once applied, stay off the coated surface for 24-48 hours, or until the product is fully cured.
Will the sealer change the appearance of the surface?
Enhancing sealers will enhance or brighten the natural characteristics of the surface to which it is applied. The level of gloss and color enhancement will vary by product.
Impregnating sealers will leave the surface completely natural, with no change in appearance or color.
Will sealer make the surface slippery?
Impregnating sealers do not change the surface’s appearance or texture, so the level of slip resistance will remain the same as it was prior to sealing.
Enhancing sealers may increase slipperiness on certain surfaces when wet. Because each material reacts differently, it is recommended to test the sealer on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it provides the desired finish and level of traction.
When using an enhancing sealer, a micro polymer additive like CAT GRIP can be added to the sealer to provide a textured finish and increase the slip resistant properties of the surface.
What is the best sealer to use in a shower?
For a shower, a solvent based impregnating sealer is the best option. In areas that are exposed to moisture on a daily basis, there is a greater risk of water getting under topical sealers. If the topical sealer is not maintained correctly, water could penetrate areas where the sealer has worn, and cause a milky white appearance to develop over time. With our impregnating below surface sealers, there is no risk of moisture getting under the sealer and causing issues, and any moisture will breathe out of the stone. We recommend Catalina Chemical's MAGIC or PLUS to seal showers.
What is the best sealer to use in a kitchen?
The best sealer to use in a kitchen depends on what part of the kitchen you are sealing.
For granite counter tops and tile back splash: For best results, use a penetrating sealer that will seal below the surface, while protecting from oils and grease. In our product line, this would be PLUS: Water & Oil Repellant and Protector.
For kitchen floors: For floors, any sealer can be used to give you the desired finished look. If you are especially concerned with frequent spills, a topical, deep penetrating sealer like Teratone 467 would be most effective.
What is the best way to clean my natural stone surface?
A neutral pH cleaner is the safest and most effective way to clean natural stone surfaces. Many store-bought cleaners contain harsh ingredients that could damage, etch, or diminish the look of natural stone surfaces. Neutral pH cleaners do not contain abrasive ingredients, so they will not damage the glossiness of polished or coated surfaces. Catalina Chemical's Neutral Cleaner Concentrate is a gentle but effective neutral cleaner for all of your natural stone surfaces.
How do I maintain a polished surface?
The best way to maintain a polished surface is to clean regularly with a neutral pH cleaner. For best practices, reference our Polished Surface Maintenance Guide.
