V-SEAL

What you use to strip a sealer depends on what technology the sealer was to begin with. Sodium Hydroxide or even the nasty stuff methylene chloride will not even touch some denisifer type sealers. However, if it was an old acrylic, you may start to touch it with those chemistries. Basically if its an acrylic just use whatever you'd use to strip an acrylic paint with. For environmentally friendly solutions go with a soy based stripper. (Yes, of course we have one call for more info.) My suggestion to the caller, and to everyone here when dealing with old unknown strippers is to test, test, test. Likely starting points. Sodium Hydroxide or soy based strippers. Then possibly methylene chloride if you can stand it. But before that, I might try -- get this -- muriatic acid. It will help re-open if a densifer was used. Basically when its unknown - test your chemical before cleaning. Then TEST your sealer to be sure of the results you want. A little time now, can save you a big headache later. Thanks, Keith@Vseal.com Toll Free - 877-73V-SEAL 877-738-7325 The TARA Consulting Group / V-SEAL Senior Tech Support Advisor 740-389-5720 est...also representing RJSC, ATG, TFT, Degussa, Mapei, KEIM, Euclid, Chem-Trete, Prosoco, Sonneborn, W. R. Meadows, Aquafin, Ardex, Dupont, L&M,Conspec, Dayton Superior, Dumond, Tamms, BASF & 65+ U.S.Companies National Distributor for ReKrete Waterless Concrete Cleaner concrete sealer, concrete sealers - VSeal Senior Members of: ACI, ICRI, SSPC & PCA * Did you know that V-SEAL has possibly the best cure & seal for concrete made in the United States ? V-SEAL 101+/ER is a high tech, one shot, exceptional cure and sealer for newly placed concrete. Military grade for residential use. Suitable for maintenance as well.

Cody, Again, yes you are correct with some of your response here. And frankly the "last" thing we'd ever suggest is that people apply an acrylic type product (solvent or water base) to a clay brick wall. You might get away with it, but I'd be willing to bet in your climate you'd see a pretty quick hazing up or blushing of the acrylic resin (and that would likely be what you've seen as”whitening.") Acrylic resins will also likely trap moisture for the first year or two in a clay fired brick. FYI we suggest sealers for brick all the time. There are a LOT more things on the market today than just the old "b-flat" acrylics. And there are a dozen more categories than just water or solvent. Today we have silane, siloxane, silicate, siliconate, silicone, urethane, urethane epoxy blends, fluoropolymers and that doesn't even touch on polyurea or other forms of chemistry. I could go on, but I'd rather suggest you come to the next round table Beth and Rod invite us to or sign up for our training classes in the fall or January following world of concrete. FYI, those on this board who know me know this... We don't "sell" our sealers. We educate, explain, and provide free consulting. Most of what you get from us on the phone would cost you hundreds elsewhere AND we don't toot our own horn with regard to products. We provide a LOT of manufacturer’s products Prosoco, Tamms, Euclid and about 60 other manufacturers with somewhere around 300 products we distribute. Power washers love us for four reasons. 1. Free consulting without the bull. We tell you if something will work and if something won't. We don't sell just "our" formulas. 2. PW's get the kind of support that others are paying thousands for in a "franchise" type scenario. 3. They get products "usually" less money through us than they can direct to the manufacturer. But even if we are 50 cents more than that on a gallon they usually get it through us because of the time and advice we give. And they like that we don't only suggest one product. What I'm trying to say here is that I don't have a dog in this fight. If you want a sealer that works on brick. Then give us a call and we'll walk through all the diagnostics and suggest one that will accomplish what you want. Those who've used us know we're not here to "lie" to you. PS, not all of the formulas listed above would be for brick. They are merely listed here to illustrate that there is a LOT to learn in the sealer industry... some work great for some things and lousy for others. We tell guys all the time, you can spend your hours on the internet trying to memorize all the info that our tech team and 3 chemists already know... or you can memorize our phone number and spend your time picking up more money on each job site by calling us. We're here to help guys - I think you can tell by the limited number of posts we're not here to spam. If I can help you pick up more money on a job, give me a call. Most times we can give you a quote, while you are writing up the estimate in your truck. Lastly, MMI Enterprises has given some excellent info on coatings and sealers on brick from a very good source. But here are 3 reasons you can tell you customer why they should pay you MORE money now to seal the brick you just cleaned. 1. Helps the mortar to last longer (tuck pointing is expensive). 2. Help stop the efflorescence. (Which is usually the mortar losing mineral content -read weakens mortar- on the wall.) Keep in mind sometimes its from another source, ie sprinklers in hard water areas. 3. Finally in YOUR climate, to help keep this mold and algae growth off the wall. Thanks, Keith@Vseal.com Toll Free - 877-73V-SEAL 877-738-7325

Robbie, Good questions. Unfortunately the advice you've been hearing so far is only "partially correct." Yes, if you seal with the wrong type of product it can produce some really big issues for you down the road. The "white" appearance described thus far is efflorescence and CAN be made worse with the wrong sealer. The spalling problems are usually freeze/thaw related and can occur with the wrong sealer, or with no sealer. What's the answer then? Pick an appropriate breathable sealer with a vapor transmission rate - this will give it enough breath-ablity to allow moisture vapor in the brick to dry. Even better, pick one that also locks up the lime content of the mortar to help prevent efflorescence from ever happening. We have two such sealers that we offer. VSeal 101 and VStop, depending upon the kind of brick we are dealing with. Give us a call and we can help you decide which one is best and how to help your customer while collecting more money on this job. Thanks, Keith@Vseal.com Toll Free - 877-73V-SEAL 877-738-7325

Call us, we have over 1Million sq/ft down this yr. and free consulting for PWNA and other power washers. This is a sensitive application, get the facts. Jay @ V-SEAL V-SEAL /TARA Group 740-389-5720

Hello all, been awhile..saw this, thought we could help out: from; Dr. Bruce Maier one of our brains in the Biz Open up the concrete with wire brush, but you will need to disturb somehow mechanically... begin the disturbance / extraction. Using SC104 non-toxic ph 7 cleaner concentrate @ a 1:4 ratio provided by V-SEAL/TARA, mixed with dry granular TIDE into a paste, slurry, poultice or heavy cream consistency. Spread well over soiled area, broom in let sit, undisturbed for 24 hrs. Cover with Visqueen if possible for accelerated results. Rinse, Squeegee off and Power Wash off. Let dry, may need to re-address. This mixture creates a rapid breakdown biodegradable green product that has been very effective in other scenarios like this. Followed with the correct chemical matched sealer. This process is being used by Whirlpool and Honda plants Always perform test area first ! Call if we can help ! Jay Tarantino / V-SEAL /TARA Group

Wow, What a spirited group. Sorry I wasn't available sooner to help clarify some of these questions. Looking forward to speaking with all of you June 1st. In the mean time I copied a couple of questions I can address to tweak your interest until then. Is Aquapel by L&M a better product than V-Seal ? My Response...Do apples taste better than oranges..you know what I mean... *Aquapel & Aquapel Plus is a water-based silane/siloxane treatment...this is totally different chemistry than V-SEAL...V-Seal is a hi-tech ( chemically reactive ) potasium chloride siliconate...there are specific applications for both and sometimes both for the same application...more June 1st. They have been around for many, many years (many more years than V-Seal) and are experts in the concrete field. ( Speaking of Aquapel ) by the way, I like these guys...good group.... * Be careful here...do you know that for sure ? The developing chemist is Dr.Bruce Maier, according to the dinosaurs in the industry ( ACI, ICRI, PCA etc. , one of the worlds..Yes,the worlds leading authorities on surfactant technology ( surface sealers & coatings ) so be careful making statements like many more years than V-SEAL...I have to go on here, I can't help myself..remember ther are many sealers and coatings that have been around for years then updated with new technology and discoveries, but the base is basically the same. V-SEAL is was an old Gov't formula, enhanced and turned loose to the public sector as V-SEAL 101 & V-sEAL 102V4... *Also is there a good source on the web to educate me on the care of concrete? This is a field I would like to add to my service, specifically brick pavers but I would like to be prepared for all types I may encounter. Thanks and keep up the good work here. I have learned a great deal from your past posts. Rick G Yes, V-SEAL is a free consultings source for PW's, contractors, architects etc more later...be kind to each other...allof you have something to offer Jay @ V-SEAL

Hello Guys, ( Jay at V-SEAL ) Reading your posts..very good...but when in doubt, call me direct..we do nothing but answer calls all day for archtects, engineers, P W's, and contractors. V-SEAL has some very sepcial properties that silanes and siloxanes do not have. The maintenance mist is an option, just like anything else in this industry...there is usually a good-better-best scenario. Bottom line is concrete is concrete and our customers need to understand that and quit asking you to treat it and expect it to act like slate, granite or marble. Answers to myths: V-SEAL was invented in Missouri, the developing chemist is co-owner with the TARA Dist. Group so as to be available for alterations if needed for specific jobs like sate, government, international and unique applications you may have. Fact: The current V-SEAL 101 & 102V4 are an enhanced formula by times 5 from what it was in 2002. ( needed to for bridge work abroad )Our specialty is porous concrete, if we can get in we can perform, if we can't we will tell you what has proved best in field..for ex. Tamms 300-30% solids when an acrylic is needed. Baracade 40 for silane products, StoneLok for polyurethanes..etc..Yes we are national dist. of those products and are available also..more later appreciate all of you...remember knowledge is power..you can reach us anytime toll free @ 877-73V-SEAL [ 877-738-7325 ] Jay Tarantino / V-SEAL / USA jay@vseal.com