One-Step Concrete Staining and Sealing –
LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer

How LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer Works

Concrete is very porous but the pores (capillaries) are invisible, much smaller than the diameter of human hair. Residential concrete is like “Swiss cheese” – it contains 12 to 15 percent air. LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer performs two functions in one easy step:

Sealing & waterproofing: The waterproofing component (polyester and other polymers) penetrates 2–4 inches into the microscopic pores and hardens – just like the plain LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer. It is similar to filling the pores with epoxy. This waterproofs the concrete permanently.

Staining: The stain component consists of special UV-resistant pigmented stains (dyes) that penetrate and color inside the surface instead of forming a film.

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LastiSeal Color Sealer gives concrete an attractive mottled look similar to acid-staining. Unlike concrete paints or stains, the color is not uniform. It lets the interesting surface texture show through. More porous areas absorb more stain and look darker.

Unlike paints or acid stains, LastiSeal resists scratches and the abrasion of vehicular traffic because it colors deeper. The surface remains suitable for flooring adhesives and paintable (except for latex or silicone paints).

Environment-friendly: Water-based, no hydrocarbon solvents, very low VOCs. Non-toxic, nonflammable, and non-hazardous. No (or low) odor. Check out the Color Sealer MSDS (in PDF) and Color Sealer Spec (PDF).

Go Wild with Colors!

Acid stains are limited to only a few variations of brown, black, and blue-green. Concrete paints sold in stores also offer a limited range of colors. But LastiSeal Color Sealer lets your “inner decorator” out! – it delivers unrivaled 36 earth tones and tropical colors (plus a whitewash color) and all their combinations. Check the color charts:

Earth Colors Pallet	Tropical Colors Pallet
Click to enlarge!	Click to enlarge!

An endless variety of colors and shades: You can combine colors by applying a second application of another color, sponging, or mixing together two colors before application. If you prefer a less intense color, dilute the Color Sealer by mixing it with the plain "LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer" or use it as the second application.

The resulting color varies widely, depending on the application method, porosity and color of the surface. Porous surface will have a darker color. Very "bumpy" surface like stucco will result in very uneven coloring. We strongly recommend that you first use test samples to confirm the color and that the surface has absorbed the stain well. Note that LastiSeal sealer is not returnable.

Number of applications: One application results in a lighter, more transparent color. Two applications are standard and provide a more intense/vibrant color. But do not over-apply! – all the stain should absorb into the surface instead of forming a film, which could wash or wear off.

For waterproofing concrete or masonry, two applications a day apart are required to ensure all the pores are sealed. This keeps our rain, surface water, and contaminants to protect the concrete against freeze-thaw damage, road salts, spalling or pitting. Smoother surfaces will bead water.

If you prefer a more uniform, less translucent finish, to hide minor blemishes in the concrete, use titanium-based colors – dark gray, forest green, mocha cream, or beach sand.

About Painting Concrete and Masonry

Concrete paints and brick paints do not last because the film will crack, peel, or wear off. Particularly, when the concrete is exposed to moisture from the ground – like foundation slabs, garage floors, driveways, or patios. And re-painting the old paint would just trap more water vapor and speed up the peeling of both layers.

Why concrete paints fail:

• Capillary water seepage lifts the paint.
• Water vapor pressure pushes the concrete paint off.
• Water carries dissolved minerals (efflorescence) and the paint loses adhesion.
• Trapped moisture activates lime and alkalis in the concrete, which attack the paint by “saponification” (fatty acids in paints turn into soap).
• New concrete is highly alkaline, which disintegrates the paint by saponification.
• The surface is too smooth – modern paints require a certain minimal grit (100–120).
• The paint film wears off in traffic.

Epoxy paints are the most durable but also expensive. They are nonporous and if the concrete slab is on the ground, they trap water vapor, which makes them bubble and crack. Most painting contractors guarantee epoxies for only 5 years. Information on acrylic, epoxy, and urethane concrete paints

A better solution would be to color the concrete without covering it with a surface film to avoid trapping moisture. We all know from experience with wood that stains last much longer than paints - stains cannot peel.

About Concrete Staining

Similarly to wood, you can color concrete with a pigmented stain. The fine particles penetrate into the pores in the surface and some dyes are UV-resistant. Paint stores also sell universal tints, which produce opaque colors.

But the problem is that when exposed to moisture, concrete stains soon fade because of efflorescence and alkalis coming up from the concrete. Although stains do not trap water vapor like concrete paints, their color dulls even faster.

Recently, concrete acid stains (chemical stains) have become very popular for coloring concrete floors.

About Concrete Acid Stains

The photographs of freshly acid-stained concrete look so beautiful! Unlike paints, they show off the surface texture. Acid stains use an acid to open up the surface and metallic salts, which react with the concrete and create color.

Acid staining is rather costly. After neutralizing and rinsing off acid residue, the surface has to be protected with multiple coats of a clear sealer. It is very labor-intensive. Contractors charge $2 to $4 per square foot and more. The chemicals are also available for do-it-yourself application.

But many homeowners are disappointed when, after a couple years, the color turns dull or dark brown. Acid stained concrete, when exposed to moisture from above or below, gradually changes color. Blue-green color will slowly turn brown or even black. An acid stained concrete floor requires regular maintenance. It must be waxed or re-sealed to protect the thin colored layer.

Why concrete acid stains deteriorate:

• Migrating moisture activates the metallic salts, which had created the color in the first place, so they continue to react and darken the concrete.
• Efflorescence, lime and alkalis carried by water dull the color.
• The surface, which had been partially “eaten away” by acid, is brittle – it easily crumbles and wears off. 
• The stain only colors a thin surface layer, which is easily damaged by scratches.
• Clear sealers, needed to protect the surface, trap moisture and activate efflorescence from the concrete.

Acid staining actually damages ("eats away") the surface of the concrete and the acids are not healthy to the applicator or the environment. It would be better to avoid acids.

Sealing the Concrete First

Obviously, before painting or staining concrete, it should be first sealed against capillary water seepage, water vapor, and efflorescence. Our penetrating concrete sealers do the job better than any other sealer. But this means at least two separate steps - sealing and then, painting the concrete. Isn’t there a better solution?

LastiSeal - Concrete Sealing and Staining in One!

LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is a technological breakthrough – it combines concrete sealing and staining in one easy step:

• Deep-penetrating concrete sealer which permanently waterproofs the concrete
• Pigmented stain which penetrates and colors the surface

Now you can waterproof and beautify your concrete in one step! Add some color and excitement to your dull concrete! Instead of watching concrete paint peel, relax! The waterproofing sealer is permanent. There are no harmful acids. Check out a comparison acid staining vs. Masonry Color Sealer

Click to enlarge!

LastiSeal Color Sealer seals, dyes, and protects a wide range of porous building materials – new or old, indoor or outdoor, below or above grade:

• Poured concrete
• Colored concrete
• Concrete blocks, cinder blocks, splitface blocks
• Acid stained concrete (no surface sealer)
• Bricks
• Mortar, unpainted stucco, plaster
• Pavers, terrazzo
• Porous natural or man-made stones
• Concrete statues and memorials.

LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is suitable for the most demanding contractors and building owners, creative artists, as well as homeowners.

Commercial Uses	Uses around Your Home
Parking areas and driveways	Basement floor
Sidewalks	Foundation slab
Exterior concrete walls	Garage floor
Exterior brick walls	Concrete driveway
Historical brick buildings	Patio, pool deck
Garage floors	Sidewalks

No Limits to Your Creativity

Applying the sealer by spraying, sponging, brushing and mixing different colors offers endless variations of color effects.

Create sophisticated color patterns by stenciling! Temporarily mask some areas using the blue painter’s tape and plastic or paper. After the stain dries, mask the already stained areas and color the rest. Beside floors, you can also create patterns on walls, which is impossible with acid staining. However, the edges are not as sharp as with paint and most contractors first cut in groves to create a tile effect.

If you prefer the lighter shade of a single application of LastiSeal Color Sealer, use the plain "LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer – Satin" as the second application one day later to make sure the concrete is waterproof but without adding more color.

LastiSeal Color Sealer is great for concrete floors in restaurants, bars, and concrete countertops. The sealer resists alcohol, wine, mustard, vinegar, and other kitchen products. But to protect the surface against abuse and for higher gloss, let it cure for 4-5 days and cover it with couple layers of wax or a transparent urethane or acrylic coating.

Would You Like More Sheen?

LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer has a matte (flat) finish on broom-finished surfaces like driveways or a low-gloss sheen on smooth concrete. It leaves no film on the surface.

If you prefer a glossy finish and there is no concern about a potentially slippery surface when wet, there are several options for adding a clear coating over LastiSeal Color Sealer:

• Waxing: Inexpensive. A sacrificial coating which needs regular re-application. But some pros like the deep "wet look" of several layers of wax on countertops the best.
• Urethane clear sealers: Available in paint stores but a good-quality urethane for concrete costs over $80/gallon. Much tougher than acrylics and scratch-resistant but not for outdoors (they yellow due to UV-rays). They trap moisture.
• Acrylic clear sealers: Available in paint stores, softer than urethanes and almost half the cost. Ideal for outdoor applications because of resistance to UV-rays. Let water vapor through.

Preferably, use water-based surface coatings instead of solvent-based, which release high levels of VOCs and noxious fumes. However, solvent-based sealers create the deepest "wet look" finish. Before waxing or adding a clear coating, let the Color Sealer thoroughly dry out for at least 4–5 days.

Acrylic, urethane, and epoxy coatings bond chemically to LastiSeal and adhere much better than to bare concrete. They also form a thicker and stronger layer because the already sealed concrete is less absorbent. But most importantly, there will be no moisture or efflorescence pushing the coating off thanks to the deep-penetrating LastiSeal sealer.

LastiSeal is a great paint primer but latex paints or silicone coatings do not adhere well to it.

How about "No Color"?

The colorless "plain" sealer is LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer, which uses the same penetrating sealer to waterproof concrete. It leaves no color or film on the surface and has a matte (flat) finish. Or you can order LastiSeal Concrete & Brick Sealer – Satin.

Seal Your Concrete Permanently!

Masonry Color Sealer seals and waterproofs permanently. Backed up by a limited 10-year Waterproofing Warranty. Waterproofing requires two applications of the sealer. Extremely porous or deteriorated surfaces may need three applications. The masonry has to be sound without excessive porosity. The sealer cannot waterproof materials with very large pores like some lightweight CMUs, splitface blocks, cinder blocks, or old masonry already badly deteriorated by extensive water seepage.

Waterproofs poured concrete, concrete blocks, pavers, and bricks. Smooth surfaces will bead.

Protects the surface: Keeps out contaminants, road salts, spills and chemicals. Protects outdoor concrete against freeze-thaw damage and road salts. Reduces abrasion due to traffic.

Reduces efflorescence: The “white powder” is an evidence of capillary water seepage, which gradually leaches out and degrades concrete. Use the Color Sealer against both water seepage and efflorescence.

Reduces vapor transmission: Seal the concrete before installing flooring or covering the walls.

Strengthens concrete: Reduces crumbling, spalling, pitting, and cracking.

Reduces concrete dusting: Concrete dust contains very fine particles of silica – glass. When inhaled, they cut into the lung tissue. Seal the concrete before letting the children play in an unfinished basement! Several applications may be needed on very porous concrete to fill the pores to the top.

Prevents molds and mildew: Keeps out dampness and does not allow mold spores to settle inside pores.

Easy Do-It-Yourself Application

The Color Sealer is best applied with a hand-pump garden sprayer or alternatively, when indoors, with a roller. Before ordering, make sure to check out Application Instructions & Tips and the pail label (PDF). Please read the Instructions to avoid potential pitfalls.

Coverage may vary widely depending on porosity:

• Approximately 200 sq.ft./gallon (1,000 sq.ft./pail) for the first application.
• Second (and third) applications 1 day apart at approx. 300–400 sq.ft./gallon.
• When sealing concrete in 2 applications, we estimate 600–700 sq.ft. per 5-gallon pail or 120–140 sq.ft./gallon (to "seal it twice").

Easy Pricing and Delivery

LastiSeal Masonry Color Sealer is not sold in stores but is delivered by courier directly from the factory to your doors. Shipping normally within 24 hours on workdays. Delivery in 3–5 working days within the lower 48 states.

Size	Price	S & H
5-gallon pail	10% OFF (was $244) $219	$24
1-gallon jug	$54	$9
8-oz. sample	$9.90	$6.10

Based on shipping by courier to the lower 48 states. No sales tax.
Returns are not accepted – please get test samples first to make sure of the color and proper sealer penetration.

Price comparison:

Masonry Color Sealer will save you money because it combines two products into one - waterproofing and coloring. And it eliminates repeated paint removal and re-applications in the years to come. Other common options:

• Heavy epoxy paint - $180/gallon. (Note that a paint may contain only 1 percent epoxy but can be sold as "epoxy paint.”)
• Urethane paints - $90/gallon. (Resist abrasion but not UV-stable. Need an epoxy primer.)
• Solid color acrylic concrete stain - $70/gallon. (Less expensive and UV-stable, but the softest surface.)
• Acid stain plus coating - $60/gallon. (Very labor intensive, full cost $2–4 per sq.ft. Regular waxing required.)

LastiSeal Masonry Sealer has made concrete painting and acid staining obsolete. It does much more, offers a much wider choice of colors, is permanent, and still costs much less.