Surecrete Concrete Countertop Sealer XS-327 Semi-Gloss Food Safe Sealer Water Based

After weeks of researching DIY websites, youtube videos, amazon reviews, etc, I was ready to sand down and re-seal my concrete countertops. I settled on Cheng hybrid sealer. I wet-sanded them down to 400 grit and began applying the sealer per the instructions. Eight coats later, the counter tops were soaking up the sealant like a sponge! I got impatient on the 9th coat and applied an extra thick layer. BIG MISTAKE. I woke up to cloudy marks all over. And to top it off, they still didn't pass the water drop test !Frustrated, I aborted the experiment with the Cheng sealer and went back to the drawing board.Deep into my research rabbit hole, I came upon some Reddit threads. This was the treasure chest of DIY advice I was looking for! XS 327 was highly recommended in several threads, so I gave it a try. BEST DECISION EVER!I re-sanded the countertops to get the cloudy rings out that came from the 9th coat of my previous experiment. This time I wet anded them down to 200 grit as XS-327 recommends.I followed the directions to a T, especially the dilution directions. This is one big, precise chemistry experiment so double check and triple check your math.After 1 primer coat, one 3:1 coat, and one 2:1 coat...these countertops are bullet proof, water proof and look amazing!After my mistakes and struggles I have the following advice:1) Purchase some precise measuring containers -- some that measure to the nearest 2 oz or 1 oz. I had ones that measured to the nearest 8 oz and it was not precise enough.2) After each coat, discard the mixture you just used. It must be used within 30 minutes of mixing. Trust me, don't use it for the next coat 2 hours later!3) Because of #2, don't mix too much for each coat. You inevitably will be tossing a good chunk, so limit how much that is. I did 3oz : 2oz for each coat and had plenty to spare once it was diluted.4) For each coat, use a NEW high-density foam roller. I tried re-using these and it didn't apply well. It left unsightly micro-bubbles. I sanded them out and re-did the coat using new rollers.5) WEAR GLOVES. This stuff is not forgiving on skin, it gets sticky, then dries, and doesn't come off.6) If you make any mistakes, let it dry, sand off the imperfections with 220 grit (dry) sandpaper, and move on to the next coat.7) Use denatured alcohol for any drips onto the ground, appliances, or cabinets. Consider doing this after each coat as it is much easier to clean up before it has cured.8) Any questions you can call their emergency customer service line and they will walk you through the next steps. AMAZING customer service.9) I got semi-gloss and wished I had gotten gloss. My countertops are dark gray/blackish and I like a wet look to them. The semi-gloss didn't quite do it for me. However, I love how they look and at this point the enemy of good is better.Spend the extra $$ for this two-part sealant and you will not be dissapointed. It's a little harder to apply than the popular, cheaper hybrid sealers, but the results are so much better. Learn from my mistakes, trust me!

See the before and after in semi gloss. I bought a house that had concrete countertops installed in the late 90s. Not only are they ugly, but they weren't maintained. Lots of etching, stains, and the old finish was pretty much gone. They absorbed anything that spilled. I'm not ready to replace the countertops as I'm saving up for a full remodel but wanted the countertops to at least be food safe until then.I researched a lot of options and found the 2 part systems to have much better reviews. I wet sanded from 50 to 200 grit using a grinder and diamond polishing pads. Applied the primer and top coats as directed. It's been a month and I'm really impressed at how they've held up. They bead water, are easy to clean, and there aren't any signs of damage. They're still ugly, but they look so much better.Tips - you really don't need much. I used the one ounce caps that come with kids medicine to measure. I had maybe 20 lf of countertop to do, and I did it in 2 parts so I still had use of my kitchen.The prep is most important. Don't sand to more than 200 grit.I got lazy towards the end and didn't back roll enough. After it cured for a week, I just knocked off the little nubs with some very light sanding.I thought odor would be an issue but it really wasn't.The worst part of the project was the prep. It's messy and requires some elbow grease. But applying the product is really easy.

So far so good, wish itCame with some sort of directions since online had 3/4 varying accounts, make sure it's 2 parts 3 parts then 7 times that sum for water down for first coat then 2/3 and 4 parts of that sum then 2/3 and 2 times that mixed volume worth of water. I read it wrong and did 2 parts 3 parts and 7 parts for my first coat and itWas a bit heavy but turned out ok I just did a sanding between coats

The results are good, there was minor darkening of anomolies in my counters, I am guessing because they are white pigmented. Overall bond and hardness is excellent! Looking forward to some longevity out of this coating. 3 weeks and still going strong, also handles 450f baking sheet from the oven.

Followed directions in applying, Unfortunately it scratches pretty easily. The scratches aren't from us cutting on it or using heavy pans on it or anything like that. Some are from the bottom of a jar, moving the coffee pot, some we aren't sure about.

After a failed attempt with epoxy, I used this product mixed with some water-based pigment. It came out fantastic and was easy to apply.

This was easy to use, durable and looks great. The only complaint is that it smells terrible.

It may be a good product, but I meant to order something else