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How to Choose the Right Sealer: A Complete Guide to Concrete, Brick, and Stone Protection
Mar
How to Choose the Right Sealer for Your Next Project
Starting a renovation or maintenance task can be daunting, but how to choose the right sealer shouldn’t be. Whether you are protecting a driveway, a wooden deck, or an interior floor, the sealer acts as the primary defense against moisture, stains, and wear. In this guide, we will break down exactly what to look for to ensure your surfaces stay protected for years to come.
So, you’ve spent the weekend scrubbing the patio, or perhaps you’ve just finished a new masonry project. Everything looks pristine. But there is a nagging question at the back of your mind: How do I keep it looking this way? Left unprotected, porous surfaces like concrete, brick, and natural stone are magnets for water damage, oil stains, and organic growth like algae. However, if you walk into a hardware store or browse online, you’re met with a wall of “sealer” options. Some soak in, some sit on top, some can be painted, and others can’t. However, choosing the wrong sealer can lead to expensive headaches—from “white blooming” (trapped moisture) to paint that peels off because the substrate was too repellent. At Palatine Paints, we have manufactured specialist coatings since 1946. To help you get it right the first time, we’ve broken down the science behind our three heavy hitters: Pliocem, ProGuard, and StoneGuard.Understanding the Two Main Types of Sealers
Before looking at specific products, you need to understand the “how” behind the protection. Sealers generally fall into two technical camps: Penetrating (Impregnating) and Topical (Coating). Choosing an exterior brick sealer requires understanding the difference between a topical film and a penetrating repellent. Penetrating Sealers These “soak in” to the pores of the material. They don’t change the look of the surface significantly and allow the material to “breathe,” meaning moisture can escape from within the substrate.- Best for: Natural stone, brickwork, and surfaces that need to look “natural.”
- Best for: High-traffic floors or surfaces where you want a “wet look” or easy-to-clean finish
Comparison: How to Choose?
To help you decide, here is a quick comparison of the three heavy-hitters:
| Feature | Pliocem Clear Sealer | ProGuard Brick Sealer | StoneGuard ProSealer |
| Best For | Concrete floors, dusty workshops, render | External brick walls, chimneys, mortar | Indian Stone, Marble, Limestone, Patios |
| Chemistry | Solvent-borne (Pliolite® Resin) | Water-based Fluoropolymer | Water-based Fluoropolymer |
| Can be Painted? | Yes (High-Performance Primer) | No (Repels Adhesion) | No (Repels Adhesion) |
| Finish | Mid Sheen | Invisible / Natural | Natural / “Easy-Clean” |
| Theoretical Coverage | Approx. 8m² per Litre | Approx 5–8m² per Litre | Approx 5–8m² per Litre |
| Main Goal | Dustproofing & Binding | Waterproofing & Oil Repellency | Oil & Food Stain Resistance |
Concrete Floor Paint
Masonry Sealers
Driveway Paint
Which Sealer Fits Your Project?
Pliocem® Clear Concrete Sealer
Pliocem Clear Concrete Sealer is a professional-grade, solvent-borne sealer formulated with Pliolite® resins. This chemistry is a staple in high-end masonry coatings because of its incredible adhesion and weather resistance. When considering brick waterproofing, it is essential to choose a product that allows the substrate to breathe.
Why it’s unique:
Pliocem is a “binder.” If you have a garage floor that is constantly “dusting”—the annoying grey powder that ruins car tyres and storage boxes—Pliocem penetrates the concrete and glues those loose particles together.
The Painting Advantage
The most common question we get is: “Can I paint over this?” With Pliocem, the answer is yes. It is specifically designed as a sealer prior to painting and acts as a primer for solvent-based and Pliolite masonry paints.
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Touch Dry: 3 hours (@ 20°C).
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Hard Dry: 48 hours (@ 20°C)
ProGuard Brick Sealer: The Invisible Shield
Unlike standard acrylic sealers that can peel, ProGuard Brick Sealer is a premium water-based sealer formulated with advanced short-chain fluoropolymer technology. Brick waterproofing with fluoropolymer technology provides a superior barrier against both water and oil-based stains
Protection Without the Change
ProGuard Brick Sealer provides long-lasting, transparent protection that maintains the natural appearance of the substrate. It creates a hydrophobic barrier that stops water from soaking into porous bricks, effectively preventing dampness and penetrating damp issues.
The “Point of No Return”
ProGuard is a final-stage protector. Because its primary job is excellent water and oil repellency, standard paints cannot bond to it
💡Pro-Tip: If you plan to paint your brickwork in the future, do not use ProGuard. Use Pliocem instead.
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Touch Dry: 1 hour (@ 20°C).
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Full Hardness: 1 day
StoneGuard ProSealer: Premium Care for Natural Stone
If you have invested in Indian Sandstone, Marble, or Terra Cotta, you need protection against more than just water—you need protection against life.
Advanced Stain Resistance
StoneGuard ProSealer is a specialist impregnating sealer that resists both water and oil/grease. While standard sealers allow oil to soak into porous stone, the fluoropolymer technology in StoneGuard keeps contaminants on the surface. This makes it essential for:
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Outdoor BBQ Areas: Protects against grease splatters.
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Patios: Resists dirt and prevents stains from setting in.
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High Porosity Surfaces: Offers easy-clean properties while remaining breathable
💡Pro Tip for Perfect Application
Even the best sealer will fail if the application is rushed. Here are the three “Golden Rules” from our technical team: Rule 1: The 10°C Threshold All three of these products require a minimum substrate temperature of 10°C to cure correctly. If you apply them on a cold, damp morning, the sealer may turn white (blushing) or fail to bond. Rule 2: Moisture is the Enemy The substrate must be “sound, clean, and dry.” If you power-wash your patio, ensure it has dried thoroughly before sealing. Trapping moisture under a sealer is the #1 cause of “white blooming” (efflorescence) and product failure. Rule 3: Thin Coats Only It is tempting to “flood” the surface to get finished faster. Don’t. Two thin coats are always superior to one thick coat. Excessive film thickness can lead to “ponding,” where the sealer dries into a sticky, unsightly patch and causes through-drying problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Can you paint over brick sealer? A: It depends on the type of sealer used. If you use a silicone-based or water-repellent sealer like ProGuard, you cannot paint over it, as the coating is designed to repel liquids, including paint. However, if you use a Pliolite-based sealer like Pliocem, it acts as a primer and is specifically designed to be overcoated with masonry or floor paints. Q:How do I stop my garage floor from dusting? A: “Dusting” is caused by the top layer of concrete slowly breaking down. To stop this, you need a penetrating binder. Pliocem Clear Concrete Sealer soaks into the porous surface and binds the loose particles together, creating a dust-free, hard-wearing finish that is easy to sweep and clean. Q:What is the best sealer for an Indian Stone patio? A: For natural stones like Indian Sandstone, you need an oil-resistant, breathable sealer. StoneGuard ProSealer is the ideal choice because it uses fluoropolymer technology to protect against food stains, grease, and algae without creating a slippery “plastic” film on the stone’s surface. Q:How long should I wait to seal new concrete or brickwork? A: You should typically wait at least 28 days for new concrete or mortar to fully cure before applying a sealer. Sealing too early can trap moisture and alkaline salts, leading to a white, powdery residue known as efflorescence or causing the sealer to peel. Q:Does brick sealer stop damp? A: Yes, a high-quality breathable sealer like ProGuard helps prevent penetrating damp by stopping rainwater from soaking into external walls. Because it is breathable, it allows internal moisture to escape while keeping the exterior surface dry, which also helps prevent the growth of moss and algae.Summary: Which one is for you?
Choosing the right protector comes down to your end goal:- If you want to stop dust and eventually paint your floor: Choose Pliocem Clear Sealer.
- If you want to waterproof your house walls without changing their look: Choose ProGuard Brick Sealer.
- If you want to protect an expensive stone patio from oil and food stains: Choose StoneGuard ProSealer.
