Guide to Sealers

See Sealers for information on individual products

This section deals with membrane-forming or film-forming sealers. These products form a coating on the surface and are not considered penetrating sealers. These products will typically impart a gloss or sheen to the applied surface. If you are looking for a true penetrating sealer that is not membrane-forming, refer to the next section under Water Repellents or see Day-Chem Sure Hard (J-17) in Liquid Hardeners.

Membrane forming sealers are typically used to:

enhance appearance
reduce surface dusting
increase chemical resistance
prevent water absorption
enhance cleaning of surface
increase abrasion resistance and wearability
impart a gloss and sheen

Previously applied curing compounds must be removed prior to application of the sealer with the following exceptions:

Dayton Superior Cures J-22 and J-23 Followed by Dayton Superior Sealers J-24 or J-24HD
Dayton Superior Cures J-18 and J-19 Followed by Dayton Superior Sealers J-24 and J-24 HD
Dayton Superior Cure J-13 (J-13 does not meet the ASTM C-309 spec for curing) Followed by any Dayton Superior sealer

Proper surface preparation is critical. As a general rule, it is important to spend more time and money on the surface prep than on the actual sealer. The "best" sealer will not make up or even perform over a poor job of surface preparation. Cleaning methods include:

shot-blasting
sandblasting
applying a cleaner and stripper like Dayton Superior J-48
high pressure water blasting with detergent cleaning

If a concrete floor is dusting badly, a liquid hardener (for example, Dayton Superior J-15 or J-13) should be applied prior to application of the floor sealer.

Application methods for sealers include low pressure spraying, rolling or lambs wool applicator. Two coats are typically recommended. On floor applications, apply the second coat at a right angle to the first coat.

Additional coats will result in a higher gloss and a more durable finish.
Use a water based sealer for health and safety considerations, if the project is inside or in an enclosed area.

Dayton Superior water-based sealers are J-24, J-24 HD and J-36. For top performance on concrete floors, use Dayton Superior J-37 or J-39.

For top performance on masonry walls, use the Dayton Superior J-25 or J-35. Use Dayton Superior J-25 to achieve a "wet look" on the concrete or masonry surface.