Sealing Patio Tabletops with SBS Sealer

These features do not apply to any other manufacturer's sealer or patio furniture manufacturer's "private label" sealer.

Aldon S-B-S Sealer has many features that are important to you, but you may not know about - yet. To protect and restore a stone or tile tabletop, consider this:

  • S-B-S Sealer is "renewable". The sealers job is to protect the tabletop so that something so extreme as to damage the surface is kept away from that surface and only effects the sealer. If this occurs, it usually only takes another spray of sealer to renew the finish. Or worst case, melt and wipe off old damaged sealer with lacquer thinner, then spray apply a new coat of sealer.

  • S-B-S Sealer strengthens a surface that might fail. In some case the stone or tile pieces might experience loss of grout sections. This has occurred because of the variables of grout and setting material a manufacturer might use whereby the tabletop experiences expansion (daytime temperatures) followed by contraction (night time temperatures) over months of time. This expansion/contraction cycle can "pop" out pieces. S-B-S Sealer is not just a topical sealer. it is a penetrating sealer and has the ability to penetrate down into the surface and strengthen weak areas plus glue together sections prone to seperation. The sealer remaining on the surface self-levels and creates a low level glossy finish or can be built to a higher gloss.

  • S-B-S Sealer is not flammable. This is a very, very important safety factor. Flammable components are considerably less expensive to use in a formula, but Aldon will not provide a flammable, dangerous product that creates risk to the user or in storage.

Below is a video we created to give you an idea of what it looks like to spray a tabletop with Aldon S-B-S Sealer.   There is also a link to another page that shows how easy it is to remove the old SBS Sealer if necessary.

The concepts explained below apply also to spraying this sealer on any large flooring or paving area when spraying is done instead of the "pour and spread" technique described on the label.

The video is a large file. Please allow a minute for it to download as you read the notes. The video will repeat automatically so you can see each feature.

Notes: These tips apply ONLY to Aldon S-B-S Sealer and not to any other sealer including those sold by a furniture manufacturer under their label (called a "Private Label"). "Private Label" sealers usually vary in sourcing from time to time and therefore, can vary importantly in quality and type. This creates the risk of incompatability from can to can even though the label looks the same.

  • A correct application technique will seal one 48" x 72" and one "cafe" table, and have sealer left over.
  • For a large table, it is easier to reach to the center and spray there first, then walk around the table to fill in.
  • The edges are done first for no particular reason other than it is a convenient way to make sure the edges are properly covered. Whatever technique works easiest for you is perfectly fine.
  • The top surface is covered without any particular concern about:
    • Masking - no masking needed because any overspray will also protect the metal legs.
    • Overlap of spray pattern or wet edge - the wet sealer will automatically flow and self-level with each pass.
  • This is not a light misting. But, it is also not an overly heavy application. The spray can is the applicator that creates a thin, even "liquid" coating appearance.
  • This is a polished marble table top and therefore very low in absorption. Thus it does not take as much sealer liquid to create gloss as it would with a more absorbent surface (slate, clay tile, some limestones, etc.).
  • Whatever the absorption of the surface, you allow the surface to determine how much sealer it needs to give you the desired end result. A more absorbent surface will require more sealer to create the same gloss level.
  • In this video it is dry to the touch in 30 minutes at 50 degrees F. Drying is faster in warmer temperatures.
Before: The table top starts out with no sealer and a non-glossy finish.

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Loading tabletop spraying animation

After: As the reflectivity shows, the table dries to a glossy finish. It can be used as soon as dry, but the sealer does not achieve full hardness until approximately 24 hours.

This table top had previously been sealed with Aldon S-B-S Sealer by the table top manufacturer. Owners of these tables have already experienced that they are far easier to clean for immediate use than glass tabletops. You do not need to clean underneath as with glass, and you do not need to spend time removing streaks created by glass cleaners. All that is needed is a few seconds to wipe off the top with a wet cloth, or a non-abrasive cleaner and a paper towel.

If the sealer is damaged (cut, burned with red hot utensils), the steps to easily and rapidly restore the surface are:

  1. Remove the old sealer with lacquer thinner - (if it is necessary). It may not be necessary with minor damage because new sealer will melt old sealer and all flows together to a new surface. You can see a video of this process here.
  2. Let dry for 10 minutes and spray as shown.
  3. This spray process is exactly the same in the manufacturer's factory except they are using spray equipment instead of aerosol cans.

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