Densifiers, and Sealers and Combos, Oh My

[Steve in UT]

I have about 3,000 sf of garage to cover. I have decided to go the densifier/sealer route. Mainly because the alternatives are way to expensive and I'm fine without a fancy floor. Mostly don't want dusting. Anyhow, It's all a little confusing, so I thought I would get all your input and advice.

I initially ran into an article in allgaragefloors.com and they purport the solids in PS104 by Concrete Sealers USA to be superior.
Quote:
"What we like about PS104 is the amount of lithium silicate (measured in solids content) that is used. Concrete Sealers USA has found a way to use almost the same amount of lithium silicate in their PS104 as they do in their standard densifier."
I'm not sure how to interpret this, because buried deep in the MSDS I find the % of lithium Silicate to be 3-7% vs 5-11% for the PS103 (straight densifier)
On the other hand, Legacy Industrial's HD39 which is also a densifier/sealer combo, has 9% solids and their straight densifier (HD37) has 18% solids. I am assuming that GarageflooringLLc.com's TL39 and TL37 are identical products to legacys?

I havent found any % info on Ghostshield's Lithi-Tek LS 9500

Obviously I want the best product for the money. Any ideas why one or the other of these or another product is better than the other?
Is there a big disadvantage using the combo stuff that has less lithium silicate vs using a straight densifier followed by a coating of Siliconate sealer other than price.
Thanks, I look forward to your wisdom and counsel

 

[RPH]

First question, what are you using the shop space for?
I used Ghostshield products, 4500 and 8505. But it’s a working shop on the farm. It see’s heavy equipment. If it fits the door, it gets fixed inside. So far Ghostshield has proven their claims as far as I’m concerned. The stuff works.

 

[Steve in UT]

First question, what are you using the shop space for?
I used Ghostshield products, 4500 and 8505. But it’s a working shop on the farm. It see’s heavy equipment. If it fits the door, it gets fixed inside. So far Ghostshield has proven their claims as far as I’m concerned. The stuff works.

Thanks for the input. The garage will be used for parking, auto maintenance, Light machine shop, some welding. I have seen that product combination commented on around here quite a bit. Seems to be a viable option. Anyone know % specs on the 4500?

 

[RPH]

Vendors here carry it. They will chime in.

 

[purediesel]

Thanks for the input. The garage will be used for parking, auto maintenance, Light machine shop, some welding. I have seen that product combination commented on around here quite a bit. Seems to be a viable option. Anyone know % specs on the 4500?

Same exact use as my shop and I went with the 4500/8510 combo. I was looking into the concrete sealers usa stuff but went the ghostshield route due to the experiences on this forum and the great customer support of the vendors.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I have about 3,000 sf of garage to cover. I have decided to go the densifier/sealer route. Mainly because the alternatives are way to expensive and I'm fine without a fancy floor. Mostly don't want dusting. Anyhow, It's all a little confusing, so I thought I would get all your input and advice.

I initially ran into an article in allgaragefloors.com and they purport the solids in PS104 by Concrete Sealers USA to be superior.
Quote:
"What we like about PS104 is the amount of lithium silicate (measured in solids content) that is used. Concrete Sealers USA has found a way to use almost the same amount of lithium silicate in their PS104 as they do in their standard densifier."
I'm not sure how to interpret this, because buried deep in the MSDS I find the % of lithium Silicate to be 3-7% vs 5-11% for the PS103 (straight densifier)
On the other hand, Legacy Industrial's HD39 which is also a densifier/sealer combo, has 9% solids and their straight densifier (HD37) has 18% solids. I am assuming that GarageflooringLLc.com's TL39 and TL37 are identical products to legacys?

I havent found any % info on Ghostshield's Lithi-Tek LS 9500

Obviously I want the best product for the money. Any ideas why one or the other of these or another product is better than the other?
Is there a big disadvantage using the combo stuff that has less lithium silicate vs using a straight densifier followed by a coating of Siliconate sealer other than price.
Thanks, I look forward to your wisdom and counsel

9500 wont work. 4500 & 8510 is the way to go

 

[Steve in UT]

9500 wont work. 4500 & 8510 is the way to go

Thanks for the response.
First off, are you saying that all densifier/sealer combos won't work, or just 9500? Second, am I correct in my calculating (actually used the GS website,) that for 3000 sqft it's going to take 3 gal of 4500 and 20 gal of 8510? That puts the price over $2,000, right?

 

[Garage Flooring]

Thanks for the response.
First off, are you saying that all densifier/sealer combos won't work, or just 9500? Second, am I correct in my calculating (actually used the GS website,) that for 3000 sqft it's going to take 3 gal of 4500 and 20 gal of 8510? That puts the price over $2,000, right?

9500 is their lowest end sealer and not suggested for areas with freeze-thaw.

TL39 is a basic densifier and sealer is fine for non-automotive fluids protection.

If you want protection against automotive fluids you need 8510 -- and you get much better protection to go along with it. For smooth concrete, I'd get two gallons of 4500 and 10 of 8510. https://www.garageflooringllc.com/images/8510-Modified-Floor-Coat-Application.pdf

 

[Steve in UT]

I used Ghostshield products, 4500 and 8505. But it’s a working shop on the farm. It see’s heavy equipment. If it fits the door, it gets fixed inside. So far Ghostshield has proven their claims as far as I’m concerned. The stuff works.

How big is your floor and do you recall how much of each product you put on?

 

[Steve in UT]

Same exact use as my shop and I went with the 4500/8510 combo. I was looking into the concrete sealers usa stuff but went the ghostshield route due to the experiences on this forum and the great customer support of the vendors.

Same question. How big is your floor and do you recall how much of each product you put on?

 

[purediesel]

Same question. How big is your floor and do you recall how much of each product you put on?

Just under 4000 sq ft. I think I have 3 gal of 4500 and 13 gal of 8510. Haven't installed yet because I'm in a dilemma with a cure and seal that was sprayed on during the pour..

 

[RPH]

2700 square feet. I did use the 8505 concentrate. I believe that was 4 gallons of of 4500 and three gallons of the 8505 concentrate.

 

[bdbull]

This thread is exactly what I was looking for. I'm in a similar boat, although my layout is a little bit different. I've got about 1100 sq ft of smooth garage concrete and 1900 sq feet of broomed driveway concrete. I do some light woodworking and auto work, but other than that it's just for parking and driving.
Initially I wasn't planning on doing anything to it, but now I'm paranoid since I got a huge crack across the driveway on day 2. Was leaning towards the 4500 and 8510 for mine, but I'm confused on the amount I would need. Ghostshield website says I would need 20 gallons of 8510, but op's square footage is about the same and only 10 gallons were recommended.
On another note, is the 4500 and 8510 overkill for me?

 

[RPH]

Nope, it will work fine. Contact the vendors on the amount needed but my brushed concrete soaked everything up like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Plan on extra for the brushed concrete, both the densifier and the 8510.

 

[bdbull]

Nope, it will work fine. Contact the vendors on the amount needed but my brushed concrete soaked everything up like a drunken sailor on shore leave. Plan on extra for the brushed concrete, both the densifier and the 8510.

Ugh, that's a lot of dough

 

[like2wheel]

Ugh, that's a lot of dough

Check your local builders supply.

 

[RPH]

I found Ghostshield to be cheaper than the other products. By the time all the prep work was done with the others the cost was minimal. Ten grand into concrete, less than one grand to protect it seemed reasonable. Vendors here are reasonable and one had a clearance on 8510 going on.

 

[bdbull]

I found Ghostshield to be cheaper than the other products. By the time all the prep work was done with the others the cost was minimal. Ten grand into concrete, less than one grand to protect it seemed reasonable. Vendors here are reasonable and one had a clearance on 8510 going on.

I definitely need to find that clearance sale. According to the Ghostshield website, I'll spend right about $2k for 3 of the gallon concentrates of 4500 and 4 five gallon buckets of 8510 for my 3k square feet.

 

[RPH]

Armorpoxy ,40% off but you missed by a month.

 

[Garage Flooring]

I definitely need to find that clearance sale. According to the Ghostshield website, I'll spend right about $2k for 3 of the gallon concentrates of 4500 and 4 five gallon buckets of 8510 for my 3k square feet.

If your floor is smooth:

10 Gallons of 8510
3 4500

https://www.garageflooringllc.com/siloxa-tek-8505-concrete-sealer/

Use these instructions

https://www.garageflooringllc.com/images/8510-Modified-Floor-Coat-Application.pdf

 

[Steve in UT]

Anybody try this stuff? Seems to be about the same stuff as GS 8510 but half the price.


Armor SX5000 Penetrating Silane Siloxane Concrete Sealer

 

[Armorpoxy]

Almost all of our clients use the Ghostshield 4509/8510 combo system when going with a sealer system.

 

[bdbull]

I plan on filling my control joints with Sikaflex also. I want to say I read somewhere that said to do that before the 4500/8510 work. Does that sound correct? Fill the joints and let them cure first?

 

[Armorpoxy]

Hi
We normally recommend joints get filled last as the Ghostshield will not adhere to and will run off of caulk/non porous surfaces. Ghostshield is a penetrating product.