A glossy
A high gloss concrete sealer or a wet-look concrete sealer can give your driveway, patio, or porch flooring surface area a sleek and shiny finish. It can also help to protect the concrete from staining and fading.
Sealing concrete also enhances its appearance, giving it a much smoother and better-looking surface, which ultimately increases the value of your property. Overall, there are numerous advantages that come with properly sealing your concrete surface - not least of which is time saved on costly repairs!
When it comes to polishing finished concrete, generally there are two options: mechanical or chemical. If you want to get the shinest surface with the least amount of effort, opt for mechanical polishing. Diamond polishing is one of the most common methods used to get a shiny glass-like surface.
There are some common methods used to get a sheen in concrete. These include using mechanical means like a wet polishing process using a special grinder, applying a sealer, or adding an epoxy coating.
To make the sparkle even more prominent, he recommends integrally coloring the concrete mix. A metallic aggregate from Pacific Palette Concrete Products that comes in black and white, Sparkle Grain is recommended where you want a decorative, hard, nonslip surface.
The Sparkle Grain Finish system is an eye-catching, black (or white) sparkle which is an iridescent black sil-car abbrasive (or white oxide) grit concrete additive that provides a mirror like sparkle that is dramatic both day and night.
If you're looking for a way to add shine and protection to your concrete floors, wet look concrete sealer may be the answer. This type of sealer can help keep your floors looking new for years to come. In this article, we will discuss how wet look sealers work, the benefits they provide, and how to apply them.
High-Gloss are Ideal for Low-Maintenance Areas
For example, Hi-Gloss Sealer is a specially formulated concrete sealant meant for factory and other commercial concrete flooring where the high-gloss finish is a necessity due to its low-maintenance requirements.
Solvent-based acrylic sealers and epoxies will give concrete a high-gloss wet look and significantly deepen the color. UV rays, depending on the exposure are hard on all these applications and the process will need to be repeated over time because of the sun. For a sealer to work, each step matters.
Outdoor concrete sealers are not only worthwhile but necessary. Experts who recommend having a concrete surface sealed are doing their customers a big favor. Without this extra layer of protection, concrete will absorb moisture and may begin to crack, spall, flake, and discolor, among other things.
Sealer that is applied too heavily or too often will create an impermeable barrier and trap that water vapor beneath it. If enough pressure is created by trapped water vapor, the sealer can delaminate from the concrete surface, and might even take some of the concrete paste with it!
Sealing Cons
The two main drawbacks to having your concrete and paving sealed are 1) Regular Maintenance, and 2) Resealing. 1. Regular Maintenance. The biggest myth regarding having your concrete or paving sealed is “if you get them sealed they will never get dirty again”.
Right after concrete is poured, it has a rough look and over time can become discolored, while developing a dingy, old appearance. Applying a sealer enhances the overall look of concrete. Most sealers keep your concrete looking new, while also smoothing and preserving color.
A thick coating of sealer can make a surface slippery, so it's important to apply the appropriate amount. (In addition to creating a slippery surface, a thick coat of sealer can also create a whitish film on the surface of your concrete.)
The concrete becomes flatter and glossy at a microscopic level as heavy equipment grinds, hones and polishes the floor using progressively finer grit diamond impregnated pads. The result is not just a shiny floor, but a truly polished floor that will be beautiful and durable.
Acrylic is best for decorative, high-gloss, and color-enhancing applications. Concrete floors in basements, garages, and shops take a lot of abuse over time. Either water-based or solvent-based acrylic will provide a high degree of protection, but solvent-based usually lasts longer.
As long as the concrete is fairly level, damp-free and in good condition it should be possible to polish.
Sealers add a layer of protection to your concrete, keeping it looking new for longer. They also give the surface a wet look finish, making it more aesthetically pleasing.
Acrylic Concrete Sealers: Acrylic sealers last 1-3 years before they need to be re-coated. Epoxy Coatings: Epoxy coatings last 5-10 years before they need to be re-coated.
If you're looking for a way to enhance and protect the look and functionality of your concrete, you've most likely stumbled across wet-look concrete sealer, which is a smooth, shiny option that leaves concrete with a wet appearance.
If your concrete is dull and sprouting weeds or mold, bleach is your best option for cleaning and brightening concrete. Mix a cup of bleach into a 5-gallon bucket of warm water, then spray or pour over concrete. Rinse thoroughly with water.