[Peter Ward]

Gents

Been in touch with a new client who had his Indian Sand Stone Patio Jet Washed (not by me!) in the winter and the guy used Wickes Patio and Paving Seal to seal it afterwards.

It was a dry day although cold when he sealed it.

Client says there is a cloudy white residue on the stone which he's not happy with.

Has anybody else come accross this?   I haven't seen the patio yet as the client is a bit out of my area.  I'm going later this week and wonder if I will be able to remove the problem with my whirlaway.

Any ideas or advice?

Cheers

Pete Ward

[Rob@Blast off]

Your probably going to need xlyine to help break it down.

[Smurf]

If it's gone cloudy will need a stripper applied to remove all the old sealer.

I for one would not want the hassle and would tell the chap to get the other guy back to short it out.
 

[Peter Ward]

If it's gone cloudy will need a stripper applied to remove all the old sealer.

I for one would not want the hassle and would tell the chap to get the other guy back to short it out.

To be honest it's a family friend - which is why it's out of area so feel obliged.  What stripper would you recommend.  I've never come accross this before.

Thanks for the assistance!

[Smurf]

I've never wanted to get involved stripping old sealer off hard surfaces so can't really recommend one to use,

Maybe smudger or others might be able to help?

[Smudger]

Sorry, I've never stripped old sealer off block or natural stone, I avoid that also.

Decking different story, got some great stuff for that.


Kev Martin should be able to provide a product

Darran

[chris scott]

Stripping sealer is expensive…I chrage around £30 per square metre. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LevU1dZxbjs

[Smurf]

And also a very mucky job by the looks of it Chris... Sod that 

[BDCS]

If the sealer is cloudy then just run over it with xlene  and it will go down as the sealer used is a acrylic - no need to strip

http://travisperkins.scene7.com/is/content/travisperkins/R9608_600359_COSHH_0

I never knew Travis and Wickes were the same crowd !

[Smurf]

Do you mean xylene which is a paint thinners?
If so how does that work then?

[Peter Ward]

Wow.  Thank you all for your help.  Heading over there this morning to have a look.  I'll let you know how it goes.  May have to go back with Xlyene.....

Happy Friday! 

[Smurf]

My understanding is the reason why it's gone cloudy is because the sealer was applied when the blocks, joints and sub base were not thoroughly dry so moisture has been trapped underneath the sealer.

[Kev Martin]

My understanding is the reason why it's gone cloudy is because the sealer was applied when the blocks, joints and sub base were not thoroughly dry so moisture has been trapped underneath the sealer.

That doesn't happen with  Miracle Sealers because they are MVT (Breathable)

[BDCS]

Basically acrylic sealers are just some acrylic beads chucked in a bucket of xylene then when applied the xylene evaporates leaving an acrlic coat on the drive. The cloudy is delamination due to trapped water as stated above - running over with xylene allows the acrylic to dissolve back onto the surface allowing the water to escape. This grey cloudy effect also happens when  you over seal different sealer types ie acrylic over PU - you can put it down but 3 months later its happened again and then you have to strip it

[Smurf]

Basically acrylic sealers are just some acrylic beads chucked in a bucket of xylene then when applied the xylene evaporates leaving an acrlic coat on the drive. The cloudy is delamination due to trapped water as stated above - running over with xylene allows the acrylic to dissolve back onto the surface allowing the water to escape. This grey cloudy effect also happens when  you over seal different sealer types ie acrylic over PU - you can put it down but 3 months later its happened again and then you have to strip it

Thanks BDCS 

So I take it if you don't know what the surface has been sealed with in the past then you over seal that method could be a bit hit and miss?

Surely it would be better to strip it anyhow so the customer don't end up paying out twice if 3 months down the road it goes cloudy again?

[Smudger]

My understanding is the reason why it's gone cloudy is because the sealer was applied when the blocks, joints and sub base were not thoroughly dry so moisture has been trapped underneath the sealer.

That doesn't happen with  Miracle Sealers because they are MVT (Breathable)

👍

[outdoor restore]

Basically acrylic sealers are just some acrylic beads chucked in a bucket of xylene then when applied the xylene evaporates leaving an acrlic coat on the drive. The cloudy is delamination due to trapped water as stated above - running over with xylene allows the acrylic to dissolve back onto the surface allowing the water to escape. This grey cloudy effect also happens when  you over seal different sealer types ie acrylic over PU - you can put it down but 3 months later its happened again and then you have to strip it

Thanks BDCS 

So I take it if you don't know what the surface has been sealed with in the past then you over seal that method could be a bit hit and miss?

Surely it would be better to strip it anyhow so the customer don't end up paying out twice if 3 months down the road it goes cloudy again?

An old xylene-based sealer can be determined on the substrate simply by rubbing xylene into the film in a small circle. The coating will re-emulsify in less than 10 seconds and turn back into its liquid state if it is xylene-based. A water-based sealer will tend to fight the xylene and may become gummy.

[chris scott]

Never use acrylic sealer on Cheap Indian Sandstone…

[Smurf]

Never use acrylic sealer on Cheap Indian Sandstone…

What sealer would you suggest to use then Chris?

[Kev Martin]

Never use acrylic sealer on Cheap Indian Sandstone…

I don't use acrylic sealers full stop