Topical Sealers
Topical sealers perform the task of sealing just as their name suggests. Unlike other sealers known as
impregnating stone sealers, these products are known as "film formers" that are designed to protect stone surfaces against oil, water, and other contaminating substances. Various material is used to create these types of sealers and they produce two basic types of coatings. These coating types include:
- Strip-able Coatings
- Permanent Coatings
Not all topical sealers are good for every application, yet Tenax natural stone products are formulated to use on natural stone surfaces. Let's discuss a bit about the two coating types mentioned above.
Strip-able Coatings
Strip-able coating Topical Sealers are just as their name suggests; strip-able, or removable. These topical sealers are can be easily stripped or removed from the stone surface to which they are applied. Strip-able type topical sealers are often made of polymers and are usually water-based. Many janitorial type coatings are designed more for tile floors than natural stone surfaces.
Permanent Coatings
In addition to the strip-able sealers there are permanent topical sealers designed to be more difficult to remove. Once these topical sealers are applied, they are not easily removed from the surface to which they are applied. Permanent coating topical sealers are solvent-based or water-based polymers.
When using topical sealers on countertops where food will be prepared or used, you'll need to verify that the topical sealer you intend to use is food safe.
Advantages Topical Sealers
Sealers that work by coating surfaces have some advantages to them. Some of these advantages include:
- Usually more economical and the initial cost is lower.
- Generally these are easy to apply by those that are new to the industry.
- The coating generally accepts most of the wear and tear that the stone must take.
- Some coatings provide added slip resistance to the surface.
- Some can be applied below the grade.
- Can add luster to the surface.
Not all stone sealers are the same and they differ in their compatibility with various stone types and in which environment(s) they are used. We recommend that you peruse the
stone sealer use chart to get an idea of which type of topical sealer you may be looking to use. We also recommend that you contact us with any questions regarding which sealer to use for your specific project.
