Product: "S-B-S Sealer"

Question? Are you in a part of the world with very strict air quality regulations (i.e. parts of California, China, etc.) with restrictions about usage of some petroleum or oil based solvents. Then you need a product to meet those rules. Please review and order "4 in 1 Sealer Concentrate" to meet those needs. It is easily diluted and used on every surface type. And it can also save you money by adjusting the dilution to exactly what you want for the widely varying absorption rates that exist even within the same surface type.

Gallons Cases (a case = 4 gallons) Aerosols Cases (a case = 12 aerosols)	Note regarding very shiny, zero absorption surfaces similar to polished marble: the aerosols are recommended to achieve a smooth finish easily. Convert a gallon to an aerosol application?

What "S-B-S Sealer" does:

Note: Are you sealing a small, enclosed area (bathroom, shower, etc.)? Click here for safety information.

The following is true when using solvent base sealers from any manufacturer.
All solvent base liquids have an odor level to some degree. Some people are sensitive to solvents or may have physical conditions that dictate inhalation should be avoided. Read our labels regarding proper ventilation recommendations that apply to all solvent sealers from all manufacturers.
Regarding sealing in small, enclosed areas. Either use our water base sealers with some fresh air ventilation, or if using a solvent base sealer - follow the label recommendations about fans, cross ventilation, moving air out through outside windows or doorways.

. Penetrates into any surface with some degree of absorption - self-levels for a smooth, even finish without working it - and bonds below the surface so there cannot be peeling.

. Label instructions provide you with a much easier and more surprise proof application method with fewer applications than you may have seen with other companies products.

. Moves with the 24 hour cycles of sun exposure expansion and contraction without losing bond.

. Extreme damage repair (burn, gouge, etc.) is easy because damaged area is removed with lacquer thinner and reapplication of S-B-S Sealer melts and bonds with the surrounding area.

. Available in aerosols for walls and polished surfaces. See Video for spray application on polished surface.

. Enhances colors | Strengthens weak surfaces | Stops efflorescence (white powdery stains)

. Not flammable. Almost all other competing sealers are flammable, and that is a concern.

. S-B-S Sealer is the best choice when Redoing a Previously Sealed Surface for many reasons you will see in that discussion page.

. Used by DIY and professional installers.

Why would you want to use "S-B-S Sealer"?:

You want to use "S-B-S Sealer" if:

. You are a contractor or Do It Yourselfer who realizes that choosing "S-B-S Sealer" is the safest choice when you are not sure of the job conditions. What sealer type or other treatments have been used in the past can make a big difference for later sealing.
. You want a very tough surface. All our sealers are designed to be walked upon, therefore, they are resilient (don't crack) but are very tough.

. You want the many benefits of a petroleum solvent type sealer, but safer than is generally available. S-B-S Sealer is not flammable.

. You want to strengthen a weak, eroding, or powdery surface.

You want to stop efflorescence (white powder from below the surface).

. You want to make minor color differences in surfacing and/or grout blend together and even out.

. You want to be able to customize the gloss level.

. You want a sealer that is easily patched in the event of severe damage.
. You want a sealer that can be used on many more types of surfacing in the future.

Traffic Wear? Any time you create gloss with a sealer, it is subject to traffic wear. You can prevent this with the "sacrificial" wear taking top coating: "Lifeguard".

What about food spills, grease spots, etc.? "Insta-Clean" is a powerful grease, wax, oil remover used on any surface. On any sealer, stone, tile, wood, vinyl, machinery, engines, etc. Will soften and remove some water based type floor coatings and waxes.

Streaking from wet mopping? "Maintain" is a dilutable wet mop solution that does not create streaking on any glossy surface, such as any sealer, stones, glazed and porcelain tiles, wood, vinyl tiles, etc.

Frequent dust mopping? "Dust Whiz" is a spray for any dust mop. With a wide janitorial mop you can dust 1,000 square feet at an easy pace. Used on sealers, stones, glazed and porcelain tiles, wood, vinyl tile, etc.

Back Label:
Application Instructions, Coverage, Health & First Aid, Emergency Contact, and more:

On your phone? Turn sideways for easier viewing.
Gallon label:

Aerosol label:

Discussions

How to select a sealer

To select a sealer it is good to have some idea of the absorption rate so you achieve the gloss level (none to high) and all the other benefits available without using more sealer than necessary. Also, you can test for (and protect against) acidic liquid sensitivity.
An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is click here.

Your results may vary somewhat from these pictures due to variations in computer display and the surface materials themselves. Nevertheless, you will be able to see the differences well enough to make good choices.

Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why, Click here!

Sealer "solids" levels?

This discussion applies only to the petroleum solvent based sealers. With the water based sealers, solids level is not a consideration.
Here are the relative solids level of our petroleum solvent based sealers:
  Lowest: SBS Sealer
  Next level Higher: Penetrating Paver Sealer
  Another level higher: Porous Stone Sealer
  Highest level: Mexiglaze

A porous surface will require more gallons (more money) of a lower solids sealer than using a higher solids level sealer. That, plus different surfaces have different requirements, is why we make the different solids levels. They all work as described, so it is only a matter of which is best for your needs.
The more porous the surface, the more solids will be required to achieve the desired effects of gloss, strengthening, stopping efflorescence, etc.
The more porous the surface, generally the greater the need for the sealer to create a stronger surface.

An old sealer below the surface, even after stripping, will lower the absorption and porosity to some degree. Sometimes it is uneven below the surface and can create an uneven coloring effect with a color enhancing sealer applied later. Another reason to test first.

Do not make decisions based only upon the price per gallon.

Unlike other sealers, Aldon's sealers typically require fewer applications (fewer gallons), less cure time, and longer life. And that is only a few of many considerations.
To see more of why the price per gallon has little to do with what will be your total project cost, click here. For other questions about sealers, see the FAQ Sealers link on the slide out menu.

Do not believe yet that you have the type of surfacing you were told:

There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. Sellers use fancy marketing names that can be misleading about the true nature of a surfacing. For instance, a customer was told they bought "Petite Granite" for a bar surface. But, unlike granite it was etching circles from wine drips. After simple testing, it proved to be a limestone which is treated very differently than granite. It was easily restored and protected after a 60 second test. Please review our "Surface Types" page to compare pictures, descriptions, and testing if needed, to confirm you have what you were told.

Do not "pre-seal" - apply a sealer BEFORE grouting.

Do not use any sealer as a grout release barrier (pre-sealing). This technique creates many risk factors to be avoided. Prevent grout smears, surface scratching and keep grout residue out of surface texture by coating with Aldon Grout Easy before grouting. Grout Easy is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned off in the normal process with water and a sponge.

Colors fading?

The iron oxide pigments used in concrete products, and the colored clays in clay products, do not fade . The appearance of fading is actually from tiny efflorescence particles (white powder) in the pores. It can be removed and color restored (with Aldon Efflorescence Treatment) and then stopped from returning, and color restored, by sealing with the appropriate Aldon penetrating type sealer.

You can stop efflorescence (white powdery stains)

Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) is common with many surfaces. This can even occur before installation. However, it is easily made to disappear without scrubbing by using Aldon Efflorescence Treatment. If the white powder is old and is now "crystalline" that is bonded to the surface - it can be eaten away with Aldon Grout Residue Remover.

Renew a glossy finish

Aldon Sealer applications can be made hours or years later, but do not apply thin layer upon thin layer. Apply a sufficient quantity to insure below surface penetration & bonding. Or, for the solvent based penetrating sealers, test spraying lacquer thinner as an alternative to slightly melt and reform the surface and not build too much gloss or create sealer "layering". A layer of sealer on top of another layer of sealer can result in poor bonding between layers and that can cause separation peeling that looks grayish.

Concerned about Doing It Yourself or what your contractor says?

If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to YOUR knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 50% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.
Our goal for our contractor customers - NO CALL BACKS. A good contractor will understand the logic of Aldon application instructions on the labels and will not take shortcuts. If a contractor does not agree, feel free to let us find out what is so unusual about this particular project so the contractor does not have to return.

Frequently Asked Questions -

clean, protect, seal tile - stone - pavers - brick

If you do not see the results you expect:
It is not a problem with the product! (They all do what we say they do!)
It is very important that you understand this concept so you do not waste time and effort in the wrong direction. Instead, think about what might be different about the job conditions that you were told or believe. We will assist in identifying what that might be and save you considerable time.
. Your conditions may have been misdiagnosed! (It can happen, even with all the information we provide.) Contact Us with the details and we will assist.
. The surface conditions (absorption rate, contaminants, temperatures, etc.) are other than thought.
. And/or - it was not applied per label instructions! (The instructions are designed to overcome the above, and overcome job conditions of which you might not be aware.)
Click here for FAQ's and : for this product.

To see tips on protecting walls and baseboards with masking, click here.

All strippers, including Aldon "Premium Stripper" do not remove what is below the surface, therefore, test with water drops when finished to determine floors ability to allow sealer penetration. If the floor (including grout joints) beads water you do not need any more sealer. Just use "Lifeguard" on this still non-absorbent surface.
If removing an Aldon sealer (and that should never be necessary) - see sealer product page to determine the sealer type. Also see the sealer label for any special considerations.

Health & Safety:

When you read all the health and safety warnings on a label, you will see we have done our best to make you think about working with any chemicals from any manufacturer. Even household cleaners purchased in supermarkets (many with more hazardous ingredients than we use because they are less expensive for the manufacturer) should be used with common sense and awareness. People have been injured by not knowing you can create poisonous gases by mixing chlorine bleach with some cleaning products. One of the many criteria involved in Aldon products is that all our products will be used with any other of our products and no normal combination of usage events should be hazardous. Nevertheless, use common sense and don't be in a hurry. Let each step prove itself satisfactorily before proceeding to the next.

Some people are allergic or sensitive to some chemicals, especially petroleum solvents. In that case, evaluate our water based products. With the solvent type products, immediately as applied use proper cross ventilation fans blowing across the floor and out the doors and windows. Do not use any chemical products from any manufacturer in a house with the sick, elderly, pets, babies, or other concerns.