What You Need to Know About Applying Coatings Over Silicon Impregnator

What You Need to Know About Applying Coatings Over Silicon Impregnator

The most important thing to do when applying coatings is to make sure you are able to achieve proper adhesion. 

Fred Hueston, Chief Technical Director of Surface Care Pros and owner of Stone Forensics recommends checking the absorbency of the stone before applying any coating, using the following test.

Absorbency Test Instructions 

• Take a drop or two of water and place it on the surface of the stone. 
• Record the time it takes to soak into the stone. 
• If the water soaks into the stone in under five minutes, the stone is absorbent. 

The absorbency test will demonstrate whether any sealer that has been applied is still providing protection. If the stone is not absorbent, then it may have been sealed with a silicon impregnator that is still working. 

Hueston explains, “A water-based coating may have difficulty bonding over a silicon impregnator. It may peel off. Use a coating that has a solvent base if a coating is desired.”

The solvent in solvent-based sealers helps the product to penetrate deeply into the pores of the stone. 

Learn More

For more information, register to earn a Stone Restoration Master Course Certificate. You'll learn how to restore natural stone floors, countertops, and walls, engineered stone, and granite floors, using the most efficient and effective restoration procedures. Also included in this program is the Stain Care Pro course with a one-year subscription to the Stain Care Pro app and Understanding Sealers.