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The Results of Our Stain Tests

The Concrete Countertop Institute (CCI) performed extensive stain tests on 27 different sealers, which included multi-component catalyzed systems, single-component products, reactive sealers, penetrating treatments and wax.

Keep in mind that not all of the strengths and weaknesses of the sealers are quantified or addressed in CCI's sealer testing program. This was a test only of stain and etch resistance, so the ranking is not an indication of the overall desirability of a sealer. Other factors such as appearance, ease of application, cost, environmental impact and ease of repair were not tested. However, these factors are also important when choosing a sealer to use on your concrete countertops.

The best stain protection was provided by coatings, including waxes, hardeners and repellants. No penetrating sealer treatment provided anywhere near the protection than did an average-performing coating.

For coatings, the best stain protection was provided by highly chemical-resistant products such as urethanes and epoxies. On average, acrylics and reactive sealers faired poorly. The best acrylic performed about the same as the poorest performing epoxy.

It should be evident by the results that not all sealers provide the same degree of protection. It's up to you to decide how much protection is required for a particular application. Fireplace mantels and bathroom vanities, for example, have different performance requirements than kitchen countertops, so a sealer that would fair poorly in a kitchen might be fine on a bathroom vanity.

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Multi-component

The top scoring multi-component finishes that provide excellent protection against all 14 staining agents:

Sealer Name Score Acid Solvent Cleaner Harsh
Polytop 5050 2 coats 100% 100% 100% 100% 99%
RJSC Stonelok 2 coats E3 + 1 coat 2K 99% 96% 100% 100% 95%
RJSC Stonelok 1 coat E3 + 1 coat 2K 96% 100% 100% 90% 98%
Flexmar Satin polyaspartic, 2 coats 95% 97% 88% 100% 95%

Flexmar is solvent-based finishes. Richard James Specialty Chemical's Stonelok system uses a water-based epoxy (E3) and a water-based urethane (2K). Polytop 5050 is a NANO technology polyurea sealer designed to dry quick and be heat resistant.

Single Component

The top scoring single-component finishes that provide good to excellent protection against all 14 staining agents up to 24 hours:

Sealer Name Score Acid Solvent Cleaner Harsh
Kinloch NanoUV 2 coats at 3mils 99% 100% 100% 100% 98%
Kinloch NanoEAP Gloss Straight, sprayed at 6 mils 97% 89% 100% 100% 99%
Kinloch NanoEAP Gloss 3:1 dilution, 5 coats sprayed, 2 mils each 91% 67% 100% 100% 81%
Pro-Seal 3 coats, sprayed 83% 92% 52% 94% 96%

Kinloch NanoUV is an ultra-violet-light cured finish. NanoEAP is an alcohol-based finish that can be thinned with ethanol. Pro-Seal is a water-based acrylic.

Reactive Finishes

Some of the top scoring reactive finishes that provide fair to good protection against all 14 staining agents up to 24 hours:

Sealer Name Score Acid Solvent Cleaner Harsh
ICT Reactive Feb'08 version 3 coats, at 28 days w/ vinegar PW 77% 53% 75% 88% 79%
ICT Reactive Feb'08 version 4 coats, French polish at 14 days w/lime PW 75% 55% 83% 73% 72%
ICT Reactive April'08 version 3 coats, video app, at 14 days w/vinegar PW. 20% VCAS as cement replacement 72% 50% 60% 88% 75%
Combination StoneTech Enhancer Pro over VSeal 101 56% 11% 88% 66% 39%

Innovative Concrete Technology's reactive system uses a hardener (CounterHard) and a coating (FirstSeal). StoneTech Enhancer Pro is a color-enhancing stone and tile repellant. VSeal 101 is a concrete hardener.
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