To Seal Or Not To Seal ?
by Ethan Schneider

Bad weather is coming soon. Should I go ahead and put a coat of sealer down?

A lot of dealers call CTI with this exact scenario and question. If you are working on a hallmark system, Stone trowel, Acrylistain, or the new Spray mark system then sooner or later your are going to find yourself in this predicament.

If the job is done and dry enough to walk on without causing damage and rain is on the way then you will have to make a calculated decision. There are several factors you will want to consider.

1. Is your coating surface dry enough to apply sealer over?
2. Can you walk on it without damaging it?
3. How much time do you believe you have before the rain will start?

If the product is dry enough and you believe you have enough time to get a coat of 150 or 155 texture enhancing sealer down then usually it is a better decision to go ahead and apply the sealer. If it is already starting to rain or snow then do not apply the sealer. Ideally you want the sealer to be relatively tack free by the time the rain begins.

The pro’s and con’s of applying the sealer.

If you don’t apply at least one coat of sealer before a significant rain fall, a Hallmark or Spraymark system may lose some color or the color may wash out in some areas depending on the severity of the rain. If an Acrylistain that has not been sealed gets rained on it will most likely wash out and blend the colorants altering the look you originally created.

If you go ahead and apply either 150 or 155 sealers and it begins to rain before the sealer has had a chance to completely cure then it may appear slightly clouded or blotchy when it finally dries out. This cloudiness will usually disappear when a second coat of sealer is applied. If any cloudiness remains even after the second coat of sealer is applied it can usually be corrected with a light application of xylene on the affected areas. Be aware that even if you get one coat of sealer down before the rains begin, the job may still be jeopardized due to the sealer still being soft and the severity of the rain.

Always consult the CTI tech department before taking any corrective measures,.