How to Make and Apply Your Own Concrete Sealer

Although it is hard to replicate a high quality concrete sealer, there is a good ingredient that can be used to make an effective and eco-friendly one – linseed oil. A concrete sealer is designed to keep water from entering the pores of the concrete in order to avoid damage. Moisture is a potentially damaging factor that must be avoided by applying a good sealer. Read on for more information regarding how to make a concrete sealer and how to apply it.

Step 1 - Mix the Concrete Sealer

In order to make the linseed oil dry effectively on the concrete structure, it needs to be boiled. “Boiled” means to add a solvent to it to enable it to dry out quickly. Without the solvent, raw linseed oil will take forever to dry. Linseed is a natural product that comes from the flax plant. It is yellow in color and can produce a quality water seal when dried. In order to make it boiled, mineral spirit has to be added to it. Mineral spirit is a mild solvent and is a more eco-friendly solvent than turpentine. Mix one part of linseed oil to three parts of mineral spirits in a plastic container. Never use a metal container because it may react to the mixture.

Step 2 - Apply the Concrete Sealer to the Concrete

The sealer should never be applied to wet or damp concrete as it may not allow the linseed solution to dry or to seal effectively. The concrete should also be free from dirt and other contaminants such as other oils or paint. Pour the sealer into a container and use a paint roller, brush or cloth to apply it on the concrete. When applying the sealer, do not apply heavily, as heavy coats of linseed sealer will take a very long time to dry. The trick to sealing the concrete effectively is to apply thin coats.

Step 3 - Wait for the First Coat to Dry

Do not make haste when coating. Allow the first coat to dry completely before proceeding with the next coat. It will take about 24 hours to 48 hours for it to dry. In order to ensure that the linseed sealer will dry out to an effective water seal, do not apply it during very cold weather.

Step 4 - Apply Additional Coats

Since the first coat is a very thin coat, it needs to be made effective by applying a second and even a third coat. Make sure that the first coating has dried out completely before adding the second coat. As with the first, apply the second coat as thinly as possible to ensure faster drying time. Allow the second coat to dry before applying a third or possibly a fourth coat.

Tip:

When applying linseed sealer, never do so near an open flame or while smoking. The compound is quite flammable so observe caution.