Help with densifier/sealer choices

[JasonF]

Well lets just say I've read some many threads on sealing concrete that my head is spinning. and I'm still not sure if I need a densifier, a sealer, or a densifier/sealer in one.
I'm building my garage right now and the concrete should be placed later this week. I'm looking to keep it simple and create a surface that keeps the dust down, make the floor easy to sweep and give it a little gloss. My last barn I built (10 yrs ago) I used Sonneborn Kure-N-Harden which worked pretty good other than some rubber feet wanting to stick to the floor. With this new pour what is the best way to go when sealing new concrete? Is a densifier/sealer combo better than a sealer or is just putting down sealer in 28 days going to give me the better finish? I am less concerned about the money and more concerned with ease of putting down and longevity. Am I missing the boat if I don't increase the density of my concrete by not using a densifier?

If it make a difference the interior concrete will be 32x48 6" 4000psi on a vapor barrier. Not sure if I will seal the exterior 24x30 approach.

Also if you have a product that you have used that has work well please share. The number of choices for sealers/densifiers is unreal.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Two products in one? Link: http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/legacy-curesealuv-p-258.html

Densifiers typically do not offer a sheen. The Cure N Seal product will dust proof and offer a nice gloss sheen.

Another option is to apply a densifier today and a better quality sealer post cure.
Here are two products that I we would recommend, there are others in the marketplace.

http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/concrete-densifier-5-gallon-p-137.html

http://legacyindustrial.net/cart/hd6525mma-concrete-sealer-p-299.html

 

[Shea]

The number of choices for sealers/densifiers is unreal.

So true!

Without getting all technical, densifiers act like sealers because the chemical reaction that they induce in the concrete helps to fill the empty pores and increase the density of the concrete. Hence, this is what makes the concrete stronger at the surface. One of the effects of this is resistance to fluids because of the closing of so many pores at the surface. This is what creates the anti-dusting properties, easy to sweep and etc.

If you use a densifier with water repelling additives, these usually contain a mixture of siliconates that fill the remaining pores at the surface to make the surface truly water repellent. It makes cleaning up spills even easier, but they are not stain proof, especially when dealing with caustic chemicals like brake fluid, some oils, and etc. These type of densifiers if I remember correctly will not give the floor much gloss.

You can read a better explanation about densifier/sealers here.

 

[JasonF]

Thanks for the additional info fellas!
Now with a densifier most say that they can be put down at any time, it there any additonal benefit of getting (HD-36 for example) down when the pour is a few days old or is the end effect going to be the same regardless of when its put down.? Looks like my slabs are going in tomorrow so if I ordered a densifier online the concrete may be a week old before it goes down.

I was reading over the info for HD-6525MMA and it says that concrete with a trowel finish may require sanding. My interior flat work will have a smooth finish so if I use this particular product what is involved with sanding? Are we talking some quick pole sanding or renting an orbital and really roughing it up? What are the possible end results if this item is put down without sanding and the surface is too smooth?