Water Based Acrylic Sealers – Acrylic Concrete Sealers

Water based acrylic sealers are a great solution if you are looking for a low odor product to enhance your concrete or pavers. They are easy to apply, don’t require any expensive equipment, won’t dramatically darken or enhance the color of your concrete or pavers, and will enhance your surface with a nice low to high gloss finish.

Water based acrylic sealers are very similar to solvent based acrylic sealers in terms of life and performance. Where they differ is in application, maintenance, and look.

Application: As mentioned above, you can use a roller or pump sprayer- you don’t need an expensive sprayer to apply this product if that is how you want to apply it. Water based acrylic sealers have little to no odor and they aren’t corrosive so they won’t break down the materials used for application. Another benefit to water based acrylics is that the clean up for most products can be done with soap and water.
Maintenance: Water based acrylic sealers can be applied to unsealed concrete and pavers, as well as concrete and pavers previously sealed with a water based acrylic. In most cases, a fresh coat can be applied without any added steps. In the event the sealer shows signs of blushing or delamination, or if the coat is still in great condition, additional steps may be required, such as screen scuffing the old sealer or coating first, or removing areas of damage and delamination. Unlike solvent based acrylic sealers, water based acrylic sealers can’t be repaired with Xylene.
Look: Water based acrylic sealers will offer a slight color enhancement. It won’t be as dramatic as the color enhancement you would get with a solvent based acrylic, but you should experience some color enhancement. Depending on the sealer used, you will also achieve a low to high gloss finish.

Still now sure if you need a water or solvent based acrylic sealer? Consider the following questions:

Do you currently have a sealer down? If your concrete or concrete pavers are currently unsealed, you can use a water based or a solvent based acrylic. If you previously used a water based acrylic and there is still resin on the surface or within the pores, you need to recoat with a water based acrylic. If you previously used a solvent based acrylic sealer and there is still resin on the surface of within the pores, you need to recoat with a solvent based acrylic sealer. The only time you can switch from a water based to a solvent based, or a solvent based to a water based, is if all of the old sealer has been removed from the surface and within the pores.
Do odors bother you? If you are sensitive to odors, you want a water based acrylic sealers. Solvent based acrylic sealers have a strong odor (even the low VOC), and will continue to have an odor until the sealer has completely off-gassed.
Are you using a roller or sprayer to apply? If you are using a roller, it doesn’t matter if you use a solvent or water based acrylic sealer. If you are using a sprayer, water based acrylic sealers don’t require any special equipment, but solvent based acrylic sealers do. Typically, the cost of a sprayer for water based acrylic sealers is around $25-50, and the cost of a sprayer for a solvent based acrylic sealer is around $150+.
Do you want a slight color enhancement or do you want your concrete or pavers to look like they look when wet? If you want a slight color enhancement, a water based acrylic sealer is perfect. If you want a more dramatic enhancement, a solvent based acrylic sealer may be a better option. Now, actual color enhancement depends on more factors than just the sealer. Application, applicator, substrate porosity and condition, and other factors play into actual color enhancement which is why it is always suggested to apply the sealer to a test area first.