Are you considering a concrete restoration project? Concrete is extremely vulnerable to break down, staining and degradation. It is also the second most used commodity in the world. The materials used in concrete like lime, calcium and sand are organic materials that are subject to elemental wear over time. Acids, in particular, will break down concrete.
Typically lithium based, densifiers are used to harden concrete. This makes it less likely to crumble or degrade due to impact from things coming into contact with it. Densifiers are inexpensive materials but they are labor intensive to apply.
Topical sealers such as acrylic, polyurethane, wax, polyaspartic, epoxy, acetone based or xylene based seal the pores in concrete and offer a natural, high gloss or satin appearance. They also offer a moderate protection against staining, wear, chemical reaction, scratching or marring. These materials typically bond via a mechanical, rather than chemical or covalent bond. Due to this type of bond they can delaminate in the presence of moisture or merely with the passage of time. Since they are sacrificial layers of protective coating they never become unified with the concrete substrate. Many topical sealers will also yellow with time.
Penetrating sealers use siloxanes or silanes to penetrate into the surface of concrete to harden it, fill the pores and create a thin protective barrier. They are typically superior to topical sealers for stain resistance because they sit deeper in the surface of the concrete. They are also harder because they use silicates which have more density than polymer based topical sealers. Penetrating sealers often need to be applied on a more regular basis than topical sealers because their stain reducing properties tend to degrade more quickly. And, as they are applied in greater thicknesses they become more prone to scratching.
RexShield Concrete is a “hybrid reactive sealer.” It combines the benefits of both topical and penetrating sealers. It penetrates deep into the pores of concrete, thereby increasing the hardness of the concrete. It also creates a thin micro layer on the surface of the concrete which produces a glass like surface. And, over time the protection gets stronger as the material continues to harden.
RexShield Concrete is particularly effective at reducing the following materials from staining concrete:
-Oils such as motor oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, anti-freeze, gear oil, grease or other petroleum based materials
-Foods such as wine, pickle juice, ketchup, vinegar, mustard and sodas
-Acids such as muriatic acid, acetic acid, hydrochloric acid andphosporic acid
-Medical chemicals such as iodine, betadine, alcohol
Typically found in driveways and sidewalks this concrete has a lot of texture and void space. This creates additional surface area where mold and mildew can grow. By applying RexShield Concrete on broomed surfaces it maintains the natural look and appearance, prevents staining, prevents premature wear and it eliminates mold and mildew growth. Dirt, mold and mildew can simply be sprayed off of broomed concrete that has RexShield Concrete applied to it.
While troweled concrete is smoother than broomed concrete it is still extremely porous. Due to this, it is still highly subject to staining and mold and mildew growth. The RexShield Concrete Restoration system maintains the look of the existing concrete while preventing surface contaminants to etch or bond to the surface. Paint, for example, will not bond to troweled concrete that has RexShield Concrete applied to it.
Polished concrete is much smoother than troweled concrete. It can be cut up to a 3,000 grit which dramatically reduces the porosity of polished concrete floors. It is still highly subject to staining despite being substantially harder. RexShield Concrete is used to make concrete floors impervious staining. It also makes them harder and more resistant to wear.
1. No harsh brushes or cleaning chemicals are necessary.
2. Only a topical cleaning from now on will be needed. RexPro’s Safety Clean has been specifically designed to provide the best maintenance protocol for this coating. Acceptable agents would also include neutral floor soaps with a light disinfectant. RexShield Vinyl is incredibly chemical resistant so it will not degrade with most cleaners. Rather, harsh cleaners that are toxic are not needed and this is why we discourage their use on our coatings.
3. When properly applied and maintained RexPro warrants our RexShield Vinyl products for a period of 5 years against yellowing, delamination and premature wear.
Yes, one of the biggest issues with concrete statues is environmental soiling and mold and mildew growth. Since concrete is highly porous it easily captures moisture and dirt. RexShield Concrete creates a non-penetrable yet breathable barrier. This is important for the integrity of the statue. It prevents moisture from getting in, but allows trapped moisture to get out. This way the statue will not break down over time. The RexShield will also bring out the inherent color of the concrete and make it more brilliant.
RexShield Concrete provides a non-slip protective barrier on garage floors. It prevents hot tire marks and oil staining. It also improves the impact resistance of the floor. People tend to drop things on garage floors so improving their hardness protects the concrete. Lastly, by improving slip resistance it makes the garage a safer place to be in. It helps prevent accidental slip and falls.
Whether pool decks are raw concrete, Cool Deck or sealed concrete they can easily grow mold and milder. They can also be slippery if not finished properly. RexShield Concrete will eliminate mold nad mildew growth and it will make concrete pool decks more slip resistance. Often there is further pool deck concrete restoration to be done such a crack repair or the pouring of concrete. Once the concrete and crack repairs are fully cured then RexShield Concrete can be applied on top to protect the surface.
RexPro Sealers & Coatings offers an innovative line of coatings for a variety of substrates such as Interior Flooring, All Vinyl Surfaces (VCT), Hardscapes (pavers, concrete, and building materials), Industrial and Residential, Boats and other Marine Vessels, and Oil and Gas.
