Help me pick a densifier/sealer combo

[ajping30x40]

We just built a new building that is a 30x40 shop with a 30x26 guest house on the end. All of the floor has PEX in the concrete for radiant heat and is on hydrofoam. The floor has been power troweled and has a nice look that I would like to keep.

I've never done anything like this before and am completely overwhelmed by the amount of products there are for finishing concrete. I have done quite a bit of searching on here and am familiar with a fair amount of products out there so have some ideas but still can't make a decision and am looking for some input.

So for the guest house, I'd like to just do a densifier/hardener on the whole thing and not a sealer so that we have an option to tile the floor later without issues. For the time being there will just be some area rugs and such throughout.


For the shop, I will be doing fab work,drinking beer, welding, working on cars/ATV's, drinking beer, some wood working here and there, and drinking beer.

I would like to do a densifier with a sealer over top that enhances the look of the concrete and maybe adds some sheen. I know there is really nothing for a sealer that is impervious to gas/oil/brake fluid spills, but I am wondering if there is a sealer that could just be reapplied over any spots that did get damaged.

If I am going to put in all the work I'm not that worried about being super budget friendly as long as it's money well spent.

So looking for recommendations on a densifier for the house, and a densifier/sealer combo for the shop. Thoughts?

 

[Shea]

We just built a new building that is a 30x40 shop with a 30x26 guest house on the end. All of the floor has PEX in the concrete for radiant heat and is on hydrofoam. The floor has been power troweled and has a nice look that I would like to keep.

I've never done anything like this before and am completely overwhelmed by the amount of products there are for finishing concrete. I have done quite a bit of searching on here and am familiar with a fair amount of products out there so have some ideas but still can't make a decision and am looking for some input.

So for the guest house, I'd like to just do a densifier/hardener on the whole thing and not a sealer so that we have an option to tile the floor later without issues. For the time being there will just be some area rugs and such throughout.


For the shop, I will be doing fab work,drinking beer, welding, working on cars/ATV's, drinking beer, some wood working here and there, and drinking beer.

I would like to do a densifier with a sealer over top that enhances the look of the concrete and maybe adds some sheen. I know there is really nothing for a sealer that is impervious to gas/oil/brake fluid spills, but I am wondering if there is a sealer that could just be reapplied over any spots that did get damaged.

If I am going to put in all the work I'm not that worried about being super budget friendly as long as it's money well spent.

So looking for recommendations on a densifier for the house, and a densifier/sealer combo for the shop. Thoughts?

We recommend two good densifiers: PS103 by Concrete Sealers USA and Lithi-Tek 4500 by GhostShield. Both are very easy to apply. Just don't let them puddle or you will end up with a white residue on the surface that is a real pain to scrub off.

It sounds like you are interested in a film-forming topical coating for your workshop. They are the only type of product that will change the appearance by adding a sheen, gloss, etc. If you apply a coating, then you don't want to apply a densifier. A densifier reacts to the minerals in concrete and fills open pores at the surface with calcium silicate hydrate. This reaction is what densifies the surface and makes it stronger. It will also inhibit the adhesion of a coating.

Coatings, in general, are not the best choice for shops with welding, metal fabrication, and other projects where things are dragged across the floor. Your best bet would be a densifier with an oil-resistant sealer applied 5-7 days afterward. There is no need to worry about burning a coating, it won't scratch from dragging metal on it, and it won't peel since it penetrates the subsurface. There are two well-known products that you can use. I've included the articles below that explain how they work.

Why PS100 is a Superior Oil Resistant Garage Floor Sealer | All Garage Floors

We review PS100 Fluorinated Oil Repelling Sealer. It may be the best garage floor concrete sealer for resisting oil stains for the garage and driveway.

allgaragefloors.com

Is GhostShield the Best Oil Repelling Garage Floor Sealer? | All Garage Floors

We review GhostShield Siloxa-Tec 8505 & 8510. Learn why this is an excellent concrete sealer for resisting oil & oil stains on your garage floor and driveway.

allgaragefloors.com

 

[ajping30x40]

Shea, is there a temperature threshold for the mentioned densifiers? It will be a while until I have the boiler in, I'm in western NY and temps are getting down into the 30's at night and looks like it's going to be getting even colder very soon. I may end up doing a temporary heating solution until the in floor heat is setup.

 

[Shea]

40 degrees is the industry

Shea, is there a temperature threshold for the mentioned densifiers? It will be a while until I have the boiler in, I'm in western NY and temps are getting down into the 30's at night and looks like it's going to be getting even colder very soon. I may end up doing a temporary heating solution until the in floor heat is setup.

A minimum application temperature of 40 degrees is the industry average for most densifiers and sealers. It's generally listed in the TDS or application instructions. Most important is the slab temperature. The densifier immediately takes on the slab's temperature when applied. Slabs tend to be slightly warmer than the air temperature this time of year since it takes the ground longer to get cold-soaked. I would recommend buying an inexpensive infrared temperature gun to check the slab temperature.

 

[ajping30x40]

Ok thank you. I think I'll be doing the PS103 followed by the PS100 in the shop. How much of the PS100 will I need for a 1,200sq ft power trowelled surface?

 

[Shea]

Ok thank you. I think I'll be doing the PS103 followed by the PS100 in the shop. How much of the PS100 will I need for a 1,200sq ft power trowelled surface?

You will need a minimum of 3 gallons.