Simple spray on concrete sealer

mike93lx · May 13, 2026

I have a concrete pad under my pool shed that was poured in 2022. No sealer/curing agent was put on it and it was exposed to the weather for 2 years, then I built the shed over it. I'd like to pressure wash it and spray down a sealer of some form to stop water from absorbing and make it easier to keep clean. Slip resistance isn't a concern as I have wood patio tiles over it

225 sq ft and cheap is desirable.

What should I use?

PCustoms · May 13, 2026

I'll subscribe for similar info

I did some quick research a few weeks back and the key (from what I saw) was a penetrating sealer vs. one that sits on top. Siloxane vs. acrylic.

mike93lx · May 13, 2026

PCustoms said:
I'll subscribe for similar info

I did some quick research a few weeks back and the key (from what I saw) was a penetrating sealer vs. one that sits on top. Siloxane vs. acrylic.

A couple years ago, I believe I was considering ghostshield 8050 for the pool deck. If that's good for both indoors and out, I'll just do it all at once

PCustoms · May 13, 2026

mike93lx said:
A couple years ago, I believe I was considering ghostshield 8050 for the pool deck. If that's good for both indoors and out, I'll just do it all at once

8500 perhaps?

I did some very quick research after I finished the stamping, and based on what I saw and what was available locally I honestly planned to go with the behr waterborne siloxane. Once I realized everything recommended 28 day cure I took a step back. Need to revisit soon.

One surprise was the bed for an etch

mike93lx · May 13, 2026

Yeah, 8500 sounds more right

I'm not etching. Power wash is my limit

PCustoms · May 13, 2026

mike93lx said:
I'm not etching. Power wash is my limit

I have a half gallon of cleaning vinegar.

I figured I'll throw that down, let it sit then hose off. Doesn't need to be cleaned it's brand new.

I just want to seal it in case I get grease on my shoe or need to use ice melt

mike93lx · May 13, 2026

Muriatic is pretty cheap at Home Depot and I always have a couple gallons around for the pool, but I just don't want to deal with it, especially on the pool deck. It's quite a bit of area if I do all of it

Shea · May 14, 2026

mike93lx said:
Muriatic is pretty cheap at Home Depot and I always have a couple gallons around for the pool, but I just don't want to deal with it, especially on the pool deck. It's quite a bit of area if I do all of it

The last thing you want to do is use an etching solution on the concrete before applying a sealer. It opens the pores more and absorbs more sealer, thus making it less efficient. Power washing is about as aggressive as you want to get. If you were applying a coating, etching would generally be required.

GhostShield 8500 will work just fine if you have it available locally.

PCustoms · May 14, 2026

Shea said:
The last thing you want to do is use an etching solution on the concrete before applying a sealer. It opens the pores more and absorbs more sealer, thus making it less efficient. Power washing is about as aggressive as you want to get. If you were applying a coating, etching would generally be required.

GhostShield 8500 will work just fine if you have it available locally.

How come some of the sealers list etching as a prep requirement?

mike93lx · May 14, 2026

Shea said:
The last thing you want to do is use an etching solution on the concrete before applying a sealer. It opens the pores more and absorbs more sealer, thus making it less efficient. Power washing is about as aggressive as you want to get. If you were applying a coating, etching would generally be required.

GhostShield 8500 will work just fine if you have it available locally.

I need to pressure wash to clean the surface before sealing, but I can take it easy and lean on bleach a little more than pressure if that helps.

Why the local qualification on Ghostshield? I don't really care about brand, just need a good product

Shea · May 14, 2026

PCustoms said:
How come some of the sealers list etching as a prep requirement?

I'm not aware of any sealers that require etching (at least that I can remember). Etching removes much of the free lime and other minerals from the substrate at and near the surface, which most sealers require to react properly, densifiers in particular. Otherwise, they won't be very effective.

However, topical film-forming sealers (coatings) generally do require etching. The etching process opens the pores at the surface, allowing the much more viscous material to penetrate and form a good mechanical bond.

PCustoms · May 14, 2026

Shea said:
I'm not aware of any sealers that require etching (at least that I can remember). Etching removes much of the free lime and other minerals from the substrate at and near the surface, which most sealers require to react properly, densifiers in particular. Otherwise, they won't be very effective.

However, topical film-forming sealers (coatings) generally do require etching. The etching process opens the pores at the surface, allowing the much more viscous material to penetrate and form a good mechanical bond.

So if I see a "sealer" that needs etching it's just a topical coating?
.
I was looking at this:

BEHR PREMIUM 1 Gal. Natural Protector and Waterproofer 98001 - The Home Depot

Protect your home's concrete and masonry surfaces with this BEHR Premium Protector and Waterproofer. Easy clean-up with soap and water.

www.homedepot.com

Primarily because it was one of 2 options locally and I thought I had to seal that weekend

Chuckster in NJ · May 14, 2026

I have used TSP for cleaning/degreasing concrete floors……. Readily available and inexpensive.

TSP Cleaner (Trisodium Phosphate): Uses, Mixing Ratios & Safety

How to use TSP cleaner for degreasing, paint prep, and heavy-duty cleaning. Mixing ratios, safety precautions, and where to buy trisodium phosphate.

alliancechemical.com

kyrbz · May 14, 2026

Doesn’t get any easier than Siloxane. Sprays like water, no odor, water clean up, invisible once it drys. I put it on new concrete work done a couple years ago and water still beads on floors I put it on. I’ve been using this brand

bluedog225 · May 14, 2026

Subscribed as well

Shea · May 15, 2026

PCustoms said:
So if I see a "sealer" that needs etching it's just a topical coating?
.
I was looking at this:

BEHR PREMIUM 1 Gal. Natural Protector and Waterproofer 98001 - The Home Depot

Protect your home's concrete and masonry surfaces with this BEHR Premium Protector and Waterproofer. Easy clean-up with soap and water.

www.homedepot.com

Primarily because it was one of 2 options locally and I thought I had to seal that weekend

This is the description of the Behr product in the first sentence:

"The BEHR Premium Protector and Waterproofer is an interior/exterior coating"

Coatings are sealers too. It's easy to get confused if you don't deal with this subject every day :beer:

The article below explains the differences in sealers. It should help to clear things up.

Making Sense of Garage Floor Sealers | Which is Best for Your Application?

Learn the differences between penetrating and topical concrete sealers for garage floors and workshops. Discover what protection they provide against oil, water, and chemicals.

allgaragefloors.com

mike93lx · May 15, 2026

kyrbz said:
Doesn’t get any easier than Siloxane. Sprays like water, no odor, water clean up, invisible once it drys. I put it on new concrete work done a couple years ago and water still beads on floors I put it on. I’ve been using this brand

Ordered this last night. I'll start in the shed to see how it goes, the I have the pool deck, then my driveway

PCustoms · May 15, 2026

Shea said:
This is the description of the Behr product in the first sentence:

"The BEHR Premium Protector and Waterproofer is an interior/exterior coating"

Coatings are sealers too. It's easy to get confused if you don't deal with this subject every day

The article below explains the differences in sealers. It should help to clear things up.

Making Sense of Garage Floor Sealers | Which is Best for Your Application?

Learn the differences between penetrating and topical concrete sealers for garage floors and workshops. Discover what protection they provide against oil, water, and chemicals.

allgaragefloors.com

The behr product is further described as a siloxane penetrating sealer. After reading your information that seems to not fall into the topical coating category. Is their use of "coating"in the description like saying "Kleenex", or is the product not what the details claim it to be?

Ghostshield 8500 and 9500 both say not for use on colored concrete so those are out...

mike93lx · May 15, 2026

I bet rhe behr instructions are solving for the least common denominator and not using the least amount of product

Shea · May 15, 2026

PCustoms said:
The behr product is further described as a siloxane penetrating sealer. After reading your information that seems to not fall into the topical coating category. Is their use of "coating"in the description like saying "Kleenex", or is the product not what the details claim it to be?

Ghostshield 8500 and 9500 both say not for use on colored concrete so those are out...

One of the ingredients is alkyl alkoxysilane. It forms a type of micro-thin film-forming silicone used in hydrophobic coatings. The molecular structure is much larger than that of silane and can't penetrate concrete well unless the concrete is etched. Silicone also wears off quickly from traffic, which is why products like these lose their water-beading properties. Products like these work best on vertical surfaces. However, the silane/siloxane blend still protects the concrete from moisture damage after the silicone has worn away. Behr likes using silicone in their sealers because the water-beading effect looks impressive and sells.

I've never been a fan of Behr products because of tactics like this. They also sell what we call "fake stains". They are very thin acrylic coatings tinted with color. They don't impart a permanent stain and can peel, exposing the bare concrete underneath. We get questions from our readers all the time asking why their stain is peeling and how to fix it. They get upset when they learn that what they applied wasn't a true stain.

GhostShield 9500 shouldn't be applied to colored concrete because it's also a densifier containing sodium silicate, which can cause white blotches in the color that are hard to remove if overapplied. However, I don't see why the 8500 can't be applied.

PCustoms · May 15, 2026

Shea said:
However, I don't see why the 8500 can't be applied.

I don't know the science behind it but the "X" on the MFG website seems to say NO

larry4406 · May 15, 2026

PCustoms said:
I don't know the science behind it but the "X" on the MFG website seems to say NO

You did piggy back on Mikes thread.

Mike has raw concrete at his pool house.

You have stamped concrete on our walkway with a stain added.

I’m thinking the poster was answering Mike and not your side bar tangent?

PCustoms · May 15, 2026

larry4406 said:
You did piggy back on Mikes thread.

larry4406 said:
Mike has raw concrete at his pool house.

Mike picked a product, I felt comfortable piggybacking further. @mike93lx apologies,if you want me to **** out let me know

larry4406 said:
You have stamped concrete on our walkway with a stain added.

I’m thinking the poster was answering Mike and not your side bar tangent?

I am well aware what I have, actually it's integrally dyed colored concrete with a release dye, but that detail probably isn't relevant.

Pretty sure the poster answered me, as he quoted my post in his response...

Just_Steve · May 15, 2026

mike93lx said:
I have a concrete pad under my pool shed that was poured in 2022. No sealer/curing agent was put on it and it was exposed to the weather for 2 years, then I built the shed over it. I'd like to pressure wash it and spray down a sealer of some form to stop water from absorbing and make it easier to keep clean. Slip resistance isn't a concern as I have wood patio tiles over it

225 sq ft and cheap is desirable.

What should I use?

I know you said slip in not an issue but I used this on raised concrete platforms by my pool. Exposed to the weather for two years so far and water still beads up. Company has other products. Expensive but so worth it for me.

Deck Grip - Clear Indoor & Outdoor Non-Slip Sealer for Concrete

Deck Grip is a UV and Chemical Resistant non-slip coating perfect for use around swimming pool areas and concrete or tiled patios to help prevent slips and falls on floors when wet

slipdoctors.com

mike93lx · May 15, 2026

Just_Steve said:
I know you said slip in not an issue but I used this on raised concrete platforms by my pool. Exposed to the weather for two years so far and water still beads up. Company has other products. Expensive but so worth it for me.

Deck Grip - Clear Indoor & Outdoor Non-Slip Sealer for Concrete

Deck Grip is a UV and Chemical Resistant non-slip coating perfect for use around swimming pool areas and concrete or tiled patios to help prevent slips and falls on floors when wet

slipdoctors.com

The concrete around the pool is broom finish, but the shed is smooth. If I like the stuff I ordered at HD in the shed, I'll do it around the pool as well.

mike93lx · May 15, 2026

PCustoms said:
Mike picked a product, I felt comfortable piggybacking further. @mike93lx apologies,if you want me to but out let me know

Doesn't bother me at all. I think Shea knew who he was responding to with mention of colored concrete on the 9500

Simple spray on concrete sealer

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