FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ... AND ANSWERS

   Why do I need to use STONE SEALER products?

   Stone is a natural porous material which will allow harmful contaminants such as oil and water based stains to penetrate through the surface into the interior of the stone resulting in permanent staining on the stone surface.

   Which product should I use if I am a residential user and my granite was sealed a couple of years ago by a professional and I just want to re-seal it?

   Stone Sealer #2.

   How can I prevent mold and mildew growth in grout?

   Application of Grout Sealer #1 to grout will help prevent the formation of mold and mildew growth.

   What effect do cleaning chemicals have on my granite or marble kitchen & bathroom surfaces?

   Household acidic and alkaline cleaners do clean stains on the surface of the coutertop or bathroom surfaces, but they also penetrate into the interior of the stone surface and slowly destroy it's infrastructure. Stone Soap Ultra is a concentrated pH neutral cleaner which can be diluted to clean all types of natural stone surfaces and can even be used without dilution on stubborn stains without damaging the stone.

   Do your products seal concrete and masonry?

   Yes. Our Concrete Sealer products are recommended for use on all interior and exterior surfaces including concrete and masonry to make them harder, dustproof and resistant to oil, moisture and acids. Concrete Sealer products are water based and are VOC compliant with EPA regulations for architectural coatings.

   Does the concrete need any special preparation?

   No, The surface of the concrete just needs to be cleaned and any debris or dust must be swept or washed away before application.

   Can I apply paint or other coatings over the Concrete Sealer products?

   You can apply any type of coating on top of the X-1 or X-2 products because they have excellent primer properties and actually improve adhesion to the concrete surface. You cannot apply any type of coating on top of the X-3 product due to its powerful repellency properties.

   Do I need to seal my concrete pavers?

   Concrete pavers need to be sealed with X-1 as much as basements and driveways to densify them and improve their physical strength. This product will improve the abrasion resistance according to ASTM C 418 and it is permanent lasting for the lifetime of the pavers.

   Will Concrete Sealer X-1 protect my concrete against salt damage in winter?

   Concrete Sealer X-1 will protect against the damaging efffects of freeze/thaw cycles which occur when salt is spread on icy roads and then tracked up your driveway. Test data carried out to determine chloride permeability (AASHTO T-277-83) and chloride penetration (NCHRP 244) proved the beneficial effects of this product and are available upon request.

   Are the concrete sealer products non-yellowing?

   Yes all of our concrete products are non-yellowing to sunlight and UV exposure.

   When should I apply Concrete Sealer X-1?

   After the concrete is poured allow it to cure for a minumim of 7 days in warm weather and then apply the product at any temperature above 40 degrees F, allow to dry for 2-4 hours at 60 degrees F and then apply a second coat and allow to cure overnight.

   Do I need to protect non-concrete surfaces from Concrete Sealer X-1?

   Protect glass, polished metal and aluminum surfaces during application to prevent etching and rinse immediately with water if accidently contacted.

   What are the main differences between the different Stone Sealer products?

   The two main products that fabricators use are Stone Sealer #1(#1) and Stone Sealer Concentrate(Concentrate) which are both solvent based impregnating silicone polymers which is the industry standard type of sealer that has been used for decades.The difference between the products is that Concentrate is twice the strength of #1 which means that two coats of Concentrate is exactly the same as four coats of #1. Fabricators use both products for all types of natural stone including Marble, Granite, Slate, Limestone and Terrazzo. Two coats of #1 is normally adequate protection for most types of natural stone but when the fabricator knows he has a very porous stone or it is going to be installed in a high traffic area then the Concentrate will be used. Both of these products leave a natural finish(no gloss) and after they are cured they do not affect the appearance of the natural stone surface.

When a wet look (medium gloss finish) is required then Stone Enhancer #1(Enhancer) can be applied over the top of any of the sealer products after they have cured which is normally 24 hours. Enhancer cannot be applied to unsealed natural stone because it is a topical finish and on unsealed stone it will be drawn into the interior of the stone. This two step process is the preferred method to achieving a wet look, however, exactly the same effect can be achieved in a single step by using Stone Sealer #5 (#5), which is a combination of #1 and Enhancer in a single bottle.

Stone Sealer #4(#4) is also a solvent based impregnating silicone polymer, but it contains a citrus base as opposed to the petroleum distillate contained in all of the above products. This product will provide similar stain protection to Concentrate and it is designed to leave a natural finish, however, some fabricators claim that it provides a small enhancing effect particularly on slate.

When it is not possible to use the above solvent based products due to environmental constraints, limited or enclosed working areas or personal choice then a water based sealer must be used. Stone Sealer #2(#2) and Stone Sealer #3 (#3) are both water based impregnating sealers. The difference between the products is that #2 is a silicone polymer and a cousin to all of the above sealers which have wide industrial acceptance. #3 is a new type of chemistry(fluoropolymer) that has recently been introduced into the stone industry because it exhibits better stain protection against oil based stains than the traditional silicone polymers.As a general rule water based sealers do not perform as well as solvent based sealers particularly under abuse conditions.

   What is the best way to apply the Stone Sealer products?

   The best way to apply all of the above sealers is to put the sealer on to a white terry towel cloth and then rub it onto the stone surface. Allow the sealer to impregnate the stone for 5-10 minutes and then remove the excess from the stone surface (this is the most important step because if the sealer dries on the surface it will leave a residue). Allow to dry for 2 hours. Re-apply using the same procedure and then remove the excess. The polymer will cure in approx 24 hours at 60 deg F. After curing place a small droplet of water on the surface to check that it beads up and this will indicate that the sealer has satisfactorily cured.

   What is the life expectancy of Sealers and Enhancers?

   The life expectancy of most stone sealers is 2-3 years under normal conditions, but the life expectancy of enhancers is significantly less because they are topical coatings and they are worn away by both physical abrasion and weather erosion. As a result enhancers will wear away faster in higher traffic areas.

   Who are some of the customers that have used your concrete sealer products in the last couple of years and can you provide a recent reference?

Received 3/7/2008

Dear Mike

I'm just sending a quick note to tell you thanks for your support on my recent purchase. You guys came through big; shipping it quickly at no additional charge. The sealer arrived when you said it would and it worked extremely well. Everyone at the hospital where it was applied is very happy. We will be using your products in the future. Again, thank-you for the professionalism and quick action.

Middlesex Hospital, CT
Christopher Maahs
Environmental Group Inc.
christophmaahs@sbcglobal.net

Hi Mike.
Your product seems to be working great. Pictures of the project are shown below.
Thanks Max.

If you have any further questions please contact us at: info@stonetechnologiesinc.com