How To Use Xylene To Remove Concrete Sealer

Fixing concrete sealer problem

When information technology comes to acid staining, physical sealers are the hardest part of the equation. Mistakes are piece of cake to brand, and can be hard to fix. Below are 3 common problems that can occur when using quality sealants, and steps to accept in order to troubleshoot solutions.

Jump to a Specific Sealer Problem:

Sealer Turned A White or Cloudy Color

blotchy concrete sealer

The sealer was not completely dry when an additional coat was applied. It's important to allow the sealer to dry completely articulate, earlier applying an additional glaze. Water based sealers tin can exist impacted past the surrounding temperature and humidity levels. The ideal environment is a warm temperature (70-eighty ℉) and low humidity (50% or less). If the temperature is likewise low (less than 45 ℉) or the humidity is besides high (above 65%), surface crust could form before the water can completely evaporate, thereby trapping the moisture and causing the sealer to dry a cloudy white or powdery colour. However, if it's too hot and likewise boiling, and so also it'south possible the sealer surface could dry faster than the wet tin can escape.
The sealer was applied besides thick. It's of import to utilize physical sealers in sparse and even coats. The best practice is to imagine you lot are painting a wall. You want to piece of work in the same general direction, while also applying the sealer at angles in gild to stretch and smooth it out. Work in a north/south direction for the first coat, and then an e/west direction for the second glaze.

Another potential cause is rain or morning dew. Information technology'southward all-time to expect to seal concrete until the weather is dry out - ideally less than 65% humidity. The sealer needs to take 12-24 hours cure fourth dimension prior to whatever wet getting on it, so avert fog or dew during this menses.

Solution: How to fix concrete when the sealer turns a cloudy white color

How to remedy the situation volition depend on how deep the moisture is trapped within the sealer.

Moisture is simply at surface level

If only the top surface was impacted and the sealer has been practical within the past 1-ii days, then using Acetone with a rag or scrub brush should open up the sealer enough to allow the moisture escape. After it's dry, you may need to apply a small amount of concrete sealer and smooth it out. However, the acetone needs to be completely removed before applying more sealer. If you simply used a low-cal small-scale corporeality and then information technology may evaporate completely. Otherwise, yous need to allow information technology to dry for 24 hours and and then gently wash the acetone off with clean h2o and permit to completely dry prior to applying more sealer. Every bit always, test a pocket-sized spot before doing the unabridged area.

Moisture is trapped deeper in the sealer

If the cloudy colors is trapped deeper in the sealer, and so a strong chemic such every bit Xylene, Toluene, or Xylol will be required. All three are substantially the same product simply with different names. These chemicals will open the sealer quite easily. As long as the air is warm and dry, so the moisture will escape and the colors of the sealer will articulate.

If the the moisture covers a major part of the surface area - but information technology'southward trapped in the surface and non deep, and the sealer has only been down for 1-ii days - then all yous need to do is simply spray the Xylene onto the surface. The Xylene volition quickly open the sealer upwards and permit the moisture to escape, causing the sealer to dry a clear color. You probable won't need to apply any more sealer to areas that are just sprayed.

If the sealer has ready for more than 2 days, and so yous volition need to use scrub brushes with the Xylene in order to strip the sealer off. It'south important to ensure there is plenty of ventilation. Make certain to plough off all pilot lights and gas. If possible, effort to work during the part of the day when the weather is libation.

The Xylene needs to be completely removed before applying more than sealer. If y'all only used a light small corporeality then it may evaporate completely. Otherwise, y'all need to allow it to dry out for 24 hours and so gently wash the xylene off with clean h2o and let to completely dry prior to applying more sealer. Every bit always, examination a small spot earlier doing the unabridged area.

How to employ Xyelene

Apply the Xylene in sections. Pour the Xylene on the surface and allow it to sit for about 45 seconds. Then, pour on a little more than and employ a strong harbinger scrub brush to lightly scrub and intermission up the sealer. The Xylene volition cook the sealer back into it'southward liquid form. If you lot are working outdoors, you can utilize a power washer to blow the sealer off. Otherwise, yous will need to use wide scrapers to drag the re-liquified sealer into a pile. We suggest using aluminum painter's shields as scrapers. These tin exist found at local home comeback stores.

So you demand to use a foursquare point shovel to scoop up the sealer and identify in a bucket for disposal. The objective is to remove the bulk of the sealer. Once it completely dries, you can re-apply the sealer. For areas that are scrubbed and the sealer is stripped off, you will need to apply 2 coats.

Safety tip

Acetone and Xylene are combustible and aromatic hazardous products. However, they are what we recommend using. You can endeavour using safer alternatives such as citrus strippers. Regardless of the product you lot select, be sure to read all the instructions and warnings on the label in order to proceed your work surroundings safety and productive.

Blisters On Sealer

concrete sealer bubbles

Blisters occur primarily with solvent based sealers, when the surface or the surrounding air is too hot. High temperatures from direct sunlight are common culprits. In these conditions, the sealer will dry out on the surface before the solvent has evaporated. The base of the sealer flashes off too fast, forming bubbles in the sealer as it exits. For this reason, it'south all-time to employ concrete sealers during the cooler part of the day.

Solution: How to fix bubbles in sealer

If the temperature isn't too hot, then apply a new coat of sealer to re-liquify the existing sealer. Still, if bubbles continue to grade and then try sealing during a cooler fourth dimension of year.

Another option if blisters form while applying is to use a leaf blower. Blow across the surface of the sealer after the floor has been sealed, only before it has dried. This will popular the blisters and let the sealer to smooth out and dry.

Sealer Is Flaking

flaking concrete sealer

When a physical sealer flakes, it is usually considering of one of the following reasons:

The concrete was not dry plenty when the sealer was applied. If the concrete it too wet, flaking occurs because the sealant cannot bond properly to the surface.
The concrete stain was not neutralized in advance. When a stain isn't properly neutralized, the sealer will lose its chemical bond.

A non breathing sealer was used, such as solvent based sealers. Moisture and so wicks through the concrete during times of alot of water such as heavy rains, and one time reaching the surface it breaks the sealer bond.

Solution: How to fix a flaking sealer

The procedure for curing a flaking sealer is the same, regardless of the which situation is causing the problem.

Ensure the area has plenty of ventilation. Turn off all gas and oestrus sources. And then pour Xylene or a citrus stripper onto the concrete. Let it sit down until the sealer is softened.

Apply more than Xylene or stripper and scrub the sealer using a stiff straw scrub brush on a broom handle, until the solution re-liquifies. Then use a pigment shield or wide scraper to scrape the sealer into a pile. Use a shovel to scoop information technology upwards and identify it into a bucket to be carried off.

Finally, permit the area to completely dry. This usually takes a few hours. Then reapply the first glaze of sealer. Permit the expanse to dry again until it's completely clear and not mucilaginous. Utilise a second sparse coat of sealer. Allow to cure for a day or and then and and then apply two fresh coats of flooring wax. Finally, allow the floor to dry overnight.

The floor should at present be more aesthetically pleasing, more scuff resistant, and should never flake once again as long every bit there are no further moisture issues.

A Final Word on Physical Sealer Problems

When a sealer does not look or perform equally it should, it ordinarily is because of i of the three reasons outlined above. The best way to avert these situations is to apply the sealer correctly the first time. Fortunately, if you lot run into issues, there are steps you can have to fix the sealant so your floor looks every bit good every bit new.