How to Apply Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer

The following article is intended to help making the application of Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer easy. This black limestone sealer is suitable for sealing & the colour restoration of black limestone.

If you wish to view further information please click on the links highlighted in blue

What kind of sealer is Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer?

Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer is a sub-surface penetrating sealer, the active content is held in suspension within the liquid carrying agent. Once applied this colour enhancing sealer is absorbed into the pores of the limestone to repel moisture & general staining. The sealer also strongly colour enhances faded black limestone, bringing the depth of colour back into the stone. This type of breathable sealer does not form a film/lacquer/skin, it is absorbed into the surface of the limestone. This product should only be applied in a single application.

What does this product do?

The benefit of applying Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer is to prevent the penetration of moisture & general damp. Thus helping the stone resist staining, frost damage & inhibit the formation of organic growth. The sealer also strongly enhances colour, turning faded grey limestones back to a deep grey/black. Black Limestone Restorer does not create a sheen or shine, the product leaves a matt natural finish.

What does the term ‘non-film forming’ mean?

Non-film forming means that once applied, the Black Limestone Restorer is absorbed into the pores of the treated stone. This non-film forming sealer & colour enhancer repels moisture from within. There is no visible coating/lacquer/film so therefore no sheen.

What kind of finish does Black Limestone Restorer create?

Black Limestone Restorer has a natural natural/matt finish. The product also strongly deepens the colour of faded black limestone. Your limestone patio will retain a natural matt finish but with a restored deeper black/grey colour. This type of sealer is a little similar to oiling wood, the sealer is a clear liquid which deepens colour from within the surface of the stone.

My black limestone has been sealed before can I apply this sealer?

We recommend contacting us with details of the sealer you have previously used. Additionally, sending some pictures of the stone as it is now is useful. There is no issue using Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer on a patio previously sealed with this product.

Preparing the limestone before sealing

Never apply the sealer to damp stone, the surface should be totally dry. Ensure the surface is clean before application. Try to avoid applying the product when temperatures are below 10°C & above 20°C.There is some ‘wiggle room’ in the temperatures ranges noted. If you are sealing on a very warm day, then do so early in the morning, when the surface is still cool.

As a minimum we recommend lightly pressure washing the surface before sealing. Possibly an application of Floorseal Patio Cleaner Plus if the surface is green with algae. Rinse any cleaning agents off thoroughly with clean water. Ensure the surface is completely dry after deep cleaning. Do not apply if rain is likely in the next 24 hours. Never clean and seal on the same day, assess whether the surface is dry (including the joints) before applying the sealer.

Applying Black Limestone Restorer

You can apply with a roller, paint pad or brush in small sections of a few square metres at a time. Apply to the surface and allow the liquid to soak in for a few minutes only.

The optimal method of application is to apply the product to a few m² at a time. This should be an area you can comfortably reach into. Apply the product kneeling down in front of a small section of your black limestone patio.

Once applied, leave for a few minutes so the product can soak in. Then, whilst the sealer is still visible on the surface (as a slight sheen) buff each slab with a microfibre cloth. Keep refolding the cloth to expose a new dry side of the cloth, then change cloths as you progress.

You can do this by working from right to left (or left to right) laterally across the patio. Complete one section at a time before moving back to seal another new section. Each section will be around one slab deep or 1m deep – an area you can reach into easily without kneeling on an area you have just completed.

After each application remove any excess i.e. any sealer which has not been absorbed into the stone after a few minutes. You cannot buff the slabs too much! You will not totally remove the sealer (or affect the final colour) as the polymers will have already penetrated the stone. The excess is a thin slick left on the surface, it must be removed.

Why is excess removal so important when applying colour enhancers?

It is because the process is a little similar to oiling wood. The product is applied & then sinks in to the stone. Some sealer will naturally sit on the surface and should be removed before it dries. The optimal way to do this is to only leave the product on the surface for a few minutes and remove it whilst it is still a liquid/wet. There will always be  slight excess with this product.

Failure to remove the excess will leave a sticky/tacky effect which struggles to dry/cure.

What is the coverage rate of this sealer?

The coverage rate of this product is particularly high. 1 litre covers at least 30m² – it can reach 40-50m². It is crucial it is applied only once, in section & then the excess is removed. The high coverage rate of this limestone sealer makes Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer highly cost effective/economic when sealing and colour restoring black limestone.

Does the type of jointing material used effect this Limestone sealer?

This product is compatible with brush in compounds and cement-based mortared joints. You should apply this product after grouting etc.

Can I use Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer on a newly laid patio?

Yes, please ensure all residues of brush in compound and/or cement based mortar are removed before sealing.

Will this product cover/hide acid etching?

Its possible, but depends on when the patio was laid and how badly damaged the surface is. If it is a new patio the best way to deal with acid damage is to let the surface fade/weather for a little while. Then apply a colour restorer to reduce the likelihood of acid etch halos being seen.

Top tips

• Pre-clean older surfaces with Floorseal Patio Cleaner Plus to remove lichen/algae/dirt/general organic growth.
• Rinse off all cleaning agents before applying a sealer.
• Check for previously applied sealers.
• Never clean & seal on the same day.
• Only apply to dry stone when rain is not imminent.
• Do not apply in very hot or cold damp conditions.
• Test the product on one slab first via a sample or before committing to the whole patio.
• Apply the product in small sections only (an area you can reach into).
• Vigorously remove the excess with microfibre cloths – keep changing your cloth!
• Buff the surface back until it looks ‘matt’ again – there should not be a sheen.
• If you use a roller or brush they will have been waterproofed!
• We do not recommend using this product as a pre-grout sealer.
• After grouting/jointing please ensure the stone is free from grout residue before sealing.
• If brush in compounds have been used you may wish to wash over the surface with a very weak solution of Floorseal Sealer Residue Remover. As a minimum ensure no compound staining is visible and no rainbowing is occurring.
• Rainbowing can sometimes be seen either side of the joint (when the stone is wet with water) if jointing compound oils and residues are still present.
• This product will not change the colour of the joint – it does not contain a black pigment. 
• Only apply in one single application.

Summary

Floorseal Black Limestone Restorer has various benefits, it is breathable, non-film forming & strongly enhances colour with a natural matt finish. It is designed to inhibit organic growth, repel rainwater/damp & strongly deepen colour.

In the future it is possible to reapply the sealer without the requirement to strip the surface.

The surface should be maintained by an occasional overspray of Floorseal Green Remover Concentrate.

This limestone sealer has a particularly high coverage rate of at least 30m2 per litre.

The information contained within this article is not exhaustive. If you need further information email us Info@floorseal.co.uk,