Replies

1. 
   jim_a | Oct 27, 1999 02:13am | #1

   *
   Does anyone know of a good sealer?
   if anyone can help me with this, and speed along
   this project my wife would be eternally grateful.

2. 
   Guest_ | Oct 27, 1999 04:37am | #2

   *
   Glaze-N-Seal 949-250-9105 (Orange County, Calif) is the sealer recommended by Kemiko Products,I believe they are an advertiser in the FHB Kitchen & Bath Issue. I think that is where I saw their ad for concrete stains. http://www.kemiko.com/

   Don't know anything about the sealer, planning to try both the stain & sealer on my test counter pieces. Joe H

1. 
   Guest_ | Oct 29, 1999 09:24pm | #3

   *Wrong phone number, Glaze_N_Seal is at 800-486-1414. They sell through distributors, not directly. Nation wide availability is what they said, local lumber yard here. Food safe they say. Joe H

3. 
   Suzanne_Cameron | Nov 08, 1999 10:49pm | #4

   *
   Help! We just moved into a house with concrete kitchen countertops which the builder "stained" gray. Although we believe he followed the correct process (acid, etc) the stain did not soak in and sits on top of the surface and is peeling in many places. We just noticed that a hot pot placed on the countertop caused it to bubble, leading us to think maybe we could use a heat gun to remove the stain and start over again. Any ideas or suggestions as to how to remedy this would be appreciated, including any ideas about how to cover up the surface (we've thought about stainless steel but aren't sure we'd like it for countertops).

4. 
   Suzanne_Cameron | Nov 08, 1999 10:49pm | #5

   *
   Help! We just moved into a house with concrete kitchen countertops which the builder "stained" gray. Although we believe he followed the correct process (acid, etc) the stain did not soak in and sits on top of the surface and is peeling in many places. We just noticed that a hot pot placed on the countertop caused it to bubble, leading us to think maybe we could use a heat gun to remove the stain and start over again. Any ideas or suggestions as to how to remedy this would be appreciated, including any ideas about how to cover up the surface (we've thought about stainless steel but aren't sure we'd like it for countertops).

5. 
   Guest_ | Nov 09, 1999 11:52am | #6

   *
   Ask the builder how they finished and sealed the countertop. If a curing urethane-type finish was used (sounds like it), on occasion it will tend to peel if the concrete wasn't properly neutralized and rinsed after the acid stain. See if you can get him back for a repair (new house?).

   If you're on your own and want to try to fix it on your own, see if you can get the remaining film off. You could try a penetrating (silicone-based) sealer instead. Not too sure how it would perform on a once-sealed top (maybe well since the first sealer didn't seem to take), but it couldn't hurt, and it's easily applied. After the film is removed, buff the top with fine grit sandpaper on a random orbital sander, or by hand should you choose. You're not looking to remove material, just to give an evenly prepared surface for the sealer to take. Simply wipe the sealer on, wait 5 minutes, wipe off. Repeat three times. Certainly follow the manufacturer's directions should they be different from mine, I'm just trying to emphasis it's not a difficult task.
   HD carries AquaMix, they make a food-safe concrete sealer called "Sealer's Choice". There are other manufacturers out there, just ensure the product is food safe. The drawback to penetrating silicone-based sealers is they aren't as tough as a film finish and they do need renewal every few years.

   God luck...

6. 
   jim_a | Jan 04, 2000 11:28pm | #7

   *