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renad64
Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:29 pm Post subject: Stained Concrete Sealing |
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Hi All:
I am new to this forum and am hoping someone can help answer this question for me.
We recently removed the carpet in our living room and master bed room and had the floors professionally acid stained and sealed. According to the person who did our floors, the product used to seal was a mixture of acrylic sealant and a wax, a product called, I believe Sheen C-40.
The floors look great. However, I started noticing these weird scuff marks, that are scraping the sealant/wax off right down to the bare concrete. It took me a few days to figure out what was causing this and now I think I know.
We have some finishing work to do, i.e., replacing wall moulding, etc. and when we are sitting down to do this, the sides of our shoes (rubberized sandals and sneakers) are scraping against the floors when we shift or stand up.
We chose concrete floors for their ease of care and their durability, but this doesn't sound like durable to me. Could it be that the simple act of scraping a rubberized sole against the floor is taking the sealant off (five coats!) right down to the finish? Did our professonals mess up in the application? Or is there another product that should have been used?
Has anyone else experienced this problem and if, so, do you know how to fix/prefent it?
Thanks for your help!
Rena |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 853
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 6:44 am Post subject: |
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Goggling the product name shows the manufacturer is HCR, Incorporated (Harvard Chemical Research, Inc.)
http://www.hcronline.com/Products/stone.htm#_Toc29289926
I recommend you email their tech department and ask your questions. Ask what is the normal life cycle for the sealer (How often does it need to be applied - annually, every 5 years, when it starts to show wear? )
Did your installer dilute the product with anything not recommended by the manufacturer? According to the website, this product is not a floor wax - its a straght sealer that finishes in a high gloss.
| Quote: | Sheen C-40Ô - Semi Permanent Sealer
Sheen C-40 is a new generation water-based acrylic emulsion sealer that penetrates the surface of concrete and masonry and forms a water repelling, protective barrier. Sheen C-40 dries to a clear, high sheen (wet look) water repellant finish. Sheen C-40 is extremely durable, will not discolor in moisture and is ultra-violet resistant making it suitable for both interior and exterior applications. This product is ideal for sealing concrete floors, stained and acid stained concrete, exposed aggregate, stucco, saltillo tile (Mexican tile) and cementaeous grout. |
But in general terms, sealers harden over time. Depending on the length of time you let the sealer set may have increased your risk of damage.
| Quote: | | Apply Sheen C-40 to a clean, dry surface by spray, mop or roller. One good coat is sufficient for most industrial applications. On porous surfaces a second coat is advised to afford more protection. Allow the first coat to cure before recoating (minimum 1 hour). At 75 degrees the first coat will be dry in about 30 minutes but allow the full hour for curing. The coated area may be open for traffic in 24 hours. |
Sheen C-40 requires a MINIMUM of 24 hours before you allow TRAFFIC on the surface. Working as you did on the floor will be considered more than traffic by the Manufacturer.
A second concern would be the moisture level of your concrete floor prior to application. If you had a high moisture content, that may effect the durability. The manufacturer can address that issue.
Also in general terms, floor finishes are applied last or are covered with protective paper or cardboard until all other work is done. You should have covered your floor. (Sorry - Not to sound harsh)
Good Luck. |
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renad64
Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:15 am Post subject: Re: Concrete Sealing |
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Hi:
I have a call into both the manufacturer of Sheen C-40 and the people who did our job. No response from either, yet.
I also got on line as per your suggestion and read the product info. So, I'm seeing a couple problems here. Our installer applied five coats, but allowed a drying time of only about 10/15 minutes betweeen coats. They never said anything about a full cure for 24 hours (although we stayed off the floors, blocking off that part of the house, for 12 hours) and in fact said it was perfectly safe to walk on and move furniture within 30 minutes. The only caveat: don't drag anything and stay in our socks.
As for working on the mouldings, etc. We waited a full 48 hours before doing that, simply because we didn't have time to get to it until that weekend. So you'd think the floor would have "cured" by then, unless there was some kind of wax additive, as per your suggestion.
So, perhaps this isn't product failure, but instead installer failure. If that's the case, maybe the floor needs to be buffed and resealed?
All I can do now is wait for both places to call me back and go from there.
I really appreciate your suggestions and taking the time to reply.
Regards,
Rena |
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phansford
Joined: 18 Apr 2004
Posts: 853
Location: SW Ohio
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| Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2005 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Concrete Sealing |
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| renad64 wrote: | | Our installer applied five coats, but allowed a drying time of only about 10/15 minutes betweeen coats. They never said anything about a full cure for 24 hours (although we stayed off the floors, blocking off that part of the house, for 12 hours) and in fact said it was perfectly safe to walk on and move furniture within 30 minutes. |
Rena,
I think this may be the source of your problem. Too many coats and not enought curing time - think 24 hours to cure one coat and for (light) traffic and you had 5 coats and minimal curing time - forget the 48 hours - its the 10-15 minutes between coats you should be concerned about. The first couple coats never had time to properly cure.
The manufacturer should be able to address this for you and give you the information you need to have your floor stripped and resealed - properly. |
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lundy
Joined: 26 Sep 2005
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 8:14 pm Post subject: Sealers Can do weird things |
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I have concrete acid stained floors--originally i used the sealer sold by SuperStone who also sold me the acid stain product I used. It did great until the hurricanes started. After Hurricane Ivan left a layer of gritty sludge on the floor ( I forgot to plug the clothes dryer vent and water entered the hurricane proof house)
and 3 yrs of wear, i picked up a gallon of a clear acrylic sealer at a local Home Depot.
It went down and dried just fine. BUT...
Now, when i leave a vinyl bag. like a soft zippered laptop case sitting on the floor, or certain plastic tote bags, there is a reaction and the new finish adheres to the tote bag or suitcase, purse etc...and lifts from the floor. I have a patchy floor situation now. You can easily see it when the light hits it just so. I suppose I will have to sand lightly, clean and reseal the whole house. But I will wait until we have a break in the hurricanes here on the Gulf Coast.
see photos at http://www.ScrapbookScrapbook.com/DAC-ART
Concrete Acid Stained Floors
_________________
http://www.lundini.blogspot.com |
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