How do you strip sealer with Xylene?
Pour a small amount of Xylene on an area that is still coated by the previous concrete sealer. Allow the Xylene to sit for 20 seconds. Remove any excess. Touch the area and if it is tacky or sticky the surface was sealed with a solvent-based sealer.
How does Xylene fix concrete sealer?
Pour the Xylene on the surface and allow it to sit for about 45 seconds. Then, pour on a little more and use a stiff straw scrub brush to lightly scrub and break up the sealer. The Xylene will melt the sealer back into it’s liquid form. If you are working outdoors, you can use a power washer to blow the sealer off.
Can you mix Xylene with sealer?
Applying more sealer works temporarily, because the fresh sealer introduces a solvent such as xylene (the sealer’s carrier) to the surface. The solvent re-melts the existing dull sealer and allows it to combine with the new sealer and fill in all the tiny scratches.
Can concrete sealer be thinned?
Is thinning a sealer recommended? The obvious answer is “no.” Anytime you alter a sealer’s formulation you risk affecting its performance — not to mention voiding any stated warranty.
Can you use xylene to remove old sealer?
Apply xylene or another solvent-based stripper to remove the previous sealer. Power wash until completely clean. Be careful though as dyes around the area will be damaged by the xylene if touched. In some cases, the old sealer won’t have to be removed and can instead be touched up with a solvent-based acrylic sealer.
What can I use instead of xylene for concrete?
Instead of using xylene, products like Aqua Mix’s Sealer and Coating Remover can be used. The concrete can be then etched by acid and neutralized, or it can be mechanically scratched to remove the old sealer.
How to remove a chemical based concrete sealer?
You can apply a small amount of Xylene to an area of your concrete. After letting it sit for 20-seconds, remove the Xylene and touch the concrete. Chemical-based sealers will gum up and become sticky, while water-based products will not.
What can xylene be used to clean up?
Because it is made from petroleum, Xylene is especially good at cleaning up oil-based products like paints, stains, and other synthetic products, without damaging the surfaces they are on. Many oil-based decking enamels and varnishes can be thinned or cleaned up with xylene.
