Sealer, Densifier, Curing Compound...OH MY!

[discbrks]

I've been lurking around here the past few weeks and some of your garages are awesome!

I've got a 32x36 "pole barn" that is scheduled to have a slab poured in the next few weeks. My concrete sub. suggested that he power trowel the slab and spray a sealer while the slab is still "green". He told me to buy whatever sealer that I like. When I start looking, I see sealers, densifiers, and curing compounds. Some companies that have sealers say to wait 30 days before sealing. So I'm confused.

What I want is a slick floor with a shine - it doesn't have to be hella-shinny, just some shine and smooth - and oil, gas, antifreeze resistant since I'll have my old cars in there.

I think a densifier soaks into the slab and when cured, you can't "see" a difference except that the slab is stronger and water should bead.

V-seal makes Industra-Gloss sealer that seems to be what I want, has anybody used it before? Is there a better or different option for sealers that can be put on the "green" slab?

Curing compound... what is this and where does it fit into all this?

 

[Kriilin]

The thing with densifier is that it does allow the concrete to be diamond polished afterwards, and since the floor doesn't have a "plastic" coating on it, it won't lift if there's moisture pressure underneath it. I'm not sure on the oil impermeability though. I'm planning on doing a black acid stain, followed by densifier. Not sure if I'll do a polish, may have to get that contracted out, as it seems to require equipment that is quite specialized, and not available for rent.

 

[Edger]

A curing compound is a coating, usually clear that can be sprayed onto the floor when it is green to stop water evaporating from the slab too quickly over the next several days and that will mean a harder concrete cure.

As I see it, the good points are that there is no preparation, good adhesion, glossy and reasonable for protection. Another coat is usually put over the top of the first at some stage before any traffic gets onto the floor.

The minus side is that those sealers are not highly resistant to wear or harsh chemicals and if you want to put an epoxy on later you will have to diamond grind off the curing compound first.

After working in many factories with curing compound glossy floors I would say they take a reasonable amount of wear and tear especially if you are not completely careless and they repel water and oil as long as you wipe spills up within an hour or so.

If you can live with that then it is a cheap way to seal the floor.

 

[discbrks]

This product from V-seals seems like is does everything:

http://www.vseal.com/concrete_seale...category_id=8&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=31

Anybody have and experiences with this?

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Anything providing a gloss will need to be applied 30 days after cure.
Densifiers can be put on after he strips the forms or completes finishing but will not give you any sheen, they penetrate.

 

[discbrks]

According to the product sheet, it can be applied as soon as the slab is able to withstand foot traffic. This says its a hardner or a sealer... not hardener AND a sealer. hmmm. The problem is that there are so many products/companies selling this stuff and, when reading their spec sheets, I can't compare apples to apples.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

Sealer is a VERY vague term. All the manufacturers and installers on the GJ will attest to this.