Water based concrete sealant?

[RobKong]

Hi guys. I'm having a 30x40 pole building built, and the concrete went in last week. I've been super impressed with the concrete guy; he does driveways and shops on the side while working for his brothers HUGE concrete business as his primary job. Everybody who knows says he is THE guy to work with.

Anyway, we discussed not sealing the concrete so I could epoxy it later. Much to my surprise, he told me he hit it with a light coat of water based sealant that should be fine to epoxy over.

Am I going to be okay, or is this going to cause me trouble? Ugh. If I end up having to remove the sealant, I may just skip coating the floor

 

[Hammerdown]

I have installed many types of epoxy coating and I have always removed the sealer prior to application. Granted- a water based would be the easiest sealer to remove through a light muriatic acid wash, but sealers will typically prevent proper adhesion of any epoxy systems. I would not seal the floor if you are considering using an epoxy system, or use a water based sealer that was recommended. Watre based sealers are usually parfin(wax) based and are the easdiest to remove.

 

[RobKong]

sounds good. I guess I'll give it an acid bath first

 

[Hammerdown]

If it is a water based sealer create a water/muriatic acid solution. Start at 10/1 and increase to no greater than 3/1. Put the soulution on the floor where you know the sealer is. If it sizzles the concrete it is going through the sealer. Use the weakest dilution rate that will remove the sealer.