Types of Stamped Concrete Sealers
Water repellent concrete sealers and acrylic concrete sealers are the two best sealers for stamped concrete. One works below the surface to protect against deterioration from water absorption, and one works to enhance the stamped concrete and protect it against fading and deterioration. The type of concrete sealer that is best for your concrete will depend on a few different factors:
- Is your stamped concrete currently sealed? If yes, you need to make sure the new sealer is compatable with the old sealer. If a water based acrylic sealer was used, the stamped concrete needs to be recoated with a water based acrylic sealer and if a solvent based acrylic sealer was used, the stamped concrete needs to be recoated with a solvent based acrylic sealer. Mixing the two will result in coating failure.
- Do you like the look of unsealed concrete? If yes, then you want a water repellent sealer.
- Do you want a satin finish or low gloss? If yes, then you want an acrylic concrete sealer.
- Are you trying to bring out dull or faded colors? If yes, then you want an acrylic concrete sealer.
| Water Repellent Concrete Sealers | Acrylic Concrete Sealers |
| Won’t change the look of the concrete | Enhances with a wet look or gloss |
| Won’t stop color from fading | Stops color from fading |
| Works entirely below the surface | Leaves a visible surface film |
| Lasts 7-10 years | Lasts 1-5 years |
| Reduces staining and deterioration | Stops dusting, staining, deterioration |
| Can be used on cured concrete | Can be used on cured and uncured concrete |
Water Repellent Stamped Concrete Sealers
The most common type of water repellent concrete sealer is a Silane-Siloxane sealer. Silane-Siloxane sealers chemically react below the surface to form a hydrophobic barrier in the pores that causes water and other liquids to bead off the surface. Silane-Siloxane sealers won’t leave behind a surface film and the stamped concrete will look exactly as it did before being sealed.
Water repellent sealers are commonly used on concrete that isn’t sealed or colored because they aren’t designed to enhance the color of the stamped concrete, or prevent colored stamped concrete from fading.
- Armor SX5000 Concrete Sealer Review (average 4.8 star review)
- Siloxane PD Concrete Sealer Review (average 4.5 star review)
- DryWay Water Repellent Concrete Sealer Review (average 3.8 star review)
Acrylic Stamped Concrete Sealers
Acrylic concrete sealers are the best type of stamped concrete sealer because they enhance the color of the stamped concrete, and protect the stamped concrete against deterioration caused by water absorption and surface abrasion.
If you want the concrete to have a gloss, but don’t want the darken or enhance the color, then you want a water based acrylic sealer:
- Seal-Krete Clear Seal Acrylic Sealer (average 4 star review)
- Armor WB25 Acrylic Sealer (average 4.9 star review)
If you want the concrete to look like what it looks like when wet, or enhance the color, then you want a solvent based acrylic sealer:
- Eagle High Gloss Sealer (average 4.6 star review)
- Armor AR350 Wet Look Sealer (average 4.8 star review)
- Armor AR500 High Gloss Sealer (average 4.9 star review)
- Enduraseal SB Acrylic Sealer (average 4.5 star review)
