A concrete sealer soaks into the slab to block water, oil, dust and salts, keeping concrete from staining, dusting, cracking and shedding white efflorescence — without changing the natural look. Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer is a solvent-based, penetrating sealer that seals concrete, screeds, pavers and stone with a satin wet-look finish. This guide explains what a concrete sealer does, when to seal versus paint, and how to apply it.
What does a concrete sealer do?
A concrete sealer penetrates the surface and fills the pores, so water, oil, dust and salts cannot soak in or migrate out. Bare concrete is porous — it absorbs spills, dusts off underfoot, and lets ground moisture carry salts to the surface as efflorescence. A penetrating sealer like Stone Sealer anchors inside the pores, giving a durable, easy-clean surface that resists staining and UV dulling while keeping the concrete's natural appearance.
Should you seal or paint concrete?
Seal concrete to protect it while keeping the grey, natural look; paint it to add a solid colour or hide stains. A clear penetrating sealer suits driveways, patios, garage floors and screeds where you want protection without a coloured coating. If you want colour, a Concrete Enamel gives a hard, coloured floor finish. The two are different jobs: sealing preserves and protects the concrete as it is, while painting covers it. For coloured concrete floors, see the concrete floor paint guide.
What is the best sealer for concrete?
For outdoor and high-wear concrete in the South African climate, a solvent-based penetrating acrylic sealer gives the best UV stability and depth of protection. Stone Sealer is a Pure Acrylic Solution polymer that penetrates deep and resists yellowing and cracking through the harsh UV and thermal cycling of SA conditions. It outperforms a surface-film water-based sealer on driveways, patios and exposed screeds, where deep penetration and UV resistance matter most. See solvent vs water-based sealers.
Does a concrete sealer stop efflorescence and dusting?
Yes — sealing blocks the water that carries salts to the surface (efflorescence) and binds the surface so it stops dusting. New and bare concrete often powders off (dusting) and blooms white salts as ground moisture evaporates through it. Stone Sealer uses a breathable film that stops liquid water entering while letting vapour escape, cutting off salt migration, and it consolidates the surface so it no longer chalks. For a stubborn salt problem, see how to stop efflorescence.
How long should new concrete cure before sealing?
Let new concrete cure for at least 28 days before sealing, and brush off any efflorescence that appears during curing. Fresh concrete holds a lot of moisture and free lime, so sealing too soon traps water under the film and causes a cloudy bloom. During the 28-day cure, some surface efflorescence is normal — brush it away as it appears. Once cured and clean, and with the substrate moisture below 8 percent (%), the concrete is ready to seal.
How do you prepare concrete before sealing?
Clean the concrete thoroughly, remove old coatings, curing compound or grease, repair cracks, and let it dry to below 8% moisture. Pressure-wash off dirt and grime; degrease oily spots with All-Rite or an industrial degreaser; and strip any old sealer or curing membrane, which blocks penetration. Sealing damp concrete traps moisture and blooms white, so a moisture check is essential. A powdery, chalky slab that is being coated rather than sealed should be stabilised first with Clear Bonding Liquid.
How do you apply concrete sealer?
Apply with a soft brush, mohair roller or sprayer in thin, even coats, thinning the first coat by 10% with xylene on dense or power-floated concrete to help it penetrate. Smooth, power-floated concrete is dense, so the thinned first coat is important for the resin to anchor in the pores; a rougher screed takes it more readily. Work in one direction, avoid the midday heat, and apply on a dry day with rain clear for at least 4 hours after. Wipe back any sealer that has not absorbed on very dense areas.
How many coats and how much do you need?
Two coats is standard, at about 8 to 10 square metres (m²) per litre on the first coat, so a 5 litre (L) tin covers roughly 40 to 50 m² per coat. Thin only the first coat; apply the second at full strength to build the protective film. Allow at least 4 hours between coats. Dense, low-porosity concrete may only need one coat, while a porous screed takes the full two. Keep foot traffic off for 24 hours and vehicles for longer while it hardens.
How long does a concrete sealer last?
Expect about 3 to 5 years on foot-traffic concrete, and 2 to 3 years on driveways and high-wear areas, then a maintenance recoat. The solvent-based sealer wears as a sacrificial layer, so worn tyre tracks or busy zones can be solvent-wiped and recoated without stripping the whole slab. Reseal sun-exposed surfaces sooner. A timely maintenance coat keeps the concrete protected and easy to clean for years.
Where to buy
Shop Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer for concrete with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For advice, call +27 84 985 6141. See the full stone & paving sealer guide.
