Step 1: first - make it cleanShow All Items Comparison Chart of Concrete Sealers Buying Tips for Concrete Sealer Products Concrete Sealer Reviews: Sealer products other contractors use and recommend Common Questions about Concrete Sealers Sealers for Stamped Concrete Decorative concrete expert, Chris Sullivan, provides in-depth answers to common problems associated with acid staining concrete. Find answers to common questions and ask your own questions. Spots on Stamped Pool Deck May Be Sealer DiffusionWe have an issue with efflorescence on a stamped concrete pool deck and need your advice. The last time the pool deck was sealed was about three years ago. About a month ago, we resealed the deck and now it has white spots. Epoxy in Sawcuts Leaves White HazeI love the way the epoxy looks, but there are minor imperfections, such as trapped lint and small bubbles, that keep the surface from looking like a perfect sheet of glass. Also, there are really deep sawcut lines in the floor (1 to 2 inches), and the epoxy that went into the sawcuts stayed a milky white color.

Beware of Applying Acrylic Sealer Too ThicklyNormally when my sealer has moisture issues, it appears cloudy. Some of these spots almost appear as if the sealer has cracks in it. Cause of Dull Spots in Sealed FloorHow do I now reseal over the original sealer? Removing Bubbles and Roller Marks in a SealerWhile applying the primer on the first half of the floor, I could see roller marks and bubbles and the primer started to string up on me. I mixed a new batch and proceeded to finish rolling the rest of the floor but at a much faster pace, and I seemed to Blotchy Spots of Gloss in a Sealed FloorI recently applied two coats of an acrylic sealer to a stained floor. After the sealer dried, the floor appeared blotchy, with some areas glossy and others not. What causes this, and should I apply more sealer to remedy the situation? Hot Tire Marks on a Sealed DrivewayWhy do car tires leave black marks on my sealed driveway? How do I avoid this and remove the existing tire marks?

Avoiding Roller Lap Lines in SealerI applied sealer with a roller and ended up with lap lines. How do I prevent these lines, and is there a way to remove them? Solvent-Based Sealer Produces 'Spider Web' EffectWhile I was using a roller to apply a solvent-based acrylic sealer on an outside patio, the sealer came off the roller in long, thin, white strands. Now the sealed surface looks blotchy and uneven. What happened, and how do I avoid it. Sealer Failure on Stamped Concrete DrivewayWhat caused the sealer to fail on this stamped driveway after only 6 months? This project was placed using a light beige color hardener, and then stamped with liquid release and a slate seamless skin. The secondary color was obtained with a medium brown a Blisters, Bubbles on Sealer SurfaceShortly after applying a solvent based acrylic sealer, tiny blisters and bubbles appeared on the surface of the sealer. What are these, and how do I get rid of them? Sealed Surface is Hazy White and BlotchyOn a project in Florida in mid September, I applied a microtoppping on Monday, acid stained on Tuesday, neutralized and cleaned the stained surface on Wednesday morning, let the floor dry in 95F heat for 2 ½ hours, and applied the sealer as directed.

Color Differences in Sealed SurfaceThis driveway was integrally colored and has a very light brush finish. The concrete was all the same color before sealing, but dramatic color differences occurred after sealing (see photo). How to Fix Uneven Gloss on Sealed Concrete FloorsI applied two thin coats of a high-gloss sealer to a stained concrete floor, following the manufacturer's instructions, but some areas of the floor look dull instead of shiny. Tires For Sale Tire KingdomWhat went wrong, and how do I fix the problem to achieve a uniform shine?How Much Does It Cost To Build A House In Chester County Pa How to Avoid the Orange Peel LookI applied a two-component high-solids epoxy sealer to a concrete floor, putting down the first coat in December and the second coat two months later. Full Spectrum Light Anxiety

Prior to applying the second coat, I sanded the floor and wiped it with xylene. I used a squeegee to apply the sealer, then rolled it with an epoxy roller with a 1/8-inch nap thickness. Then I rolled over it with a spike roller. The sealer did not lay out smoothly, and is very uneven and rough. What went wrong, and how do I fix it? Release Powder Causing Sealer Discoloration I'm beginning to suspect that something in the release powder I'm using with my concrete stamps (maybe the calcium stearates?) is causing sealer discoloration. Have you observed this? It seems to happen more with particular charcoal-gray releases. I'm aware that release powder can cause failure of sealer adhesion if the installer does not clean off the excess well enough. Do you have any other advice? Cloudy Sealer May Signal It's Time to Strip and ResealI have a colored, exposed-aggregate driveway. Over the years, the sealer has become more and more cloudy. Return to Concrete Sealer Q&AsYour best bet for keeping your whitewalls in good condition is to never let them get too dirty.

Keep a regular cleaning regimen for your tires, cleaning them at least once every two weeks, or more often if needed. Rather than using a powerful cleaner once in every while to maintain your tires, try cleaning them more often with water, gentle soap, and a rag. Gently cleaning often will prevent the need to use harsh cleaners that will ultimately shorten the life of your tire. In fact, harsh cleaners may brighten the tire for a short period, but in the end they cause yellowing and cracking. Bleach is one of these harsh cleaners. If you do use bleach, dilute it and don't allow it to sit on the tire too long, it will dry and crack the rubber. There are dozens of kinds of cleaning materials that have been used to clean white walls. Some of the most common are Westley's Bleach White (available in car stores), Purple Power (available at Wal-Mart), Wide White (made by Coker), Simple Green, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and Scotch-Brite pads. When using these products, be sure to follow the instructions on their labels.

If you would like to use around-the-house items, try using cleaners like Comet, Ajax, 409, or dish soap. To use any of these cleaners, rinse and wipe down the tire first, apply the cleaner, scrub it into the tire with a stiff brush, then rinse and dry with a soft rag. Keep in mind that while you're cleaning your tire, you may also come into contact with the metal of your car or motorcycle. For this reason you should not use a metal brush or cleaners that will harm the metal. In some cases you may have whitewalls that have not been maintained very well and that have a stubborn yellow surface. The tire may be permanently stained or yellowed, in which case no amount of cleaning will restore whiteness. To solve this problem you can try gently sanding off the outer layer of the white portion of your tire. This works for aged tires that simply have been stained over time. Sanding should remove the yellowed layer of the tire and expose a brighter layer underneath. Whether you are cleaning, maintaining, or restoring the white of your whitewalls, the best type of cleaning is consistent and frequent cleaning.