Transparent Penetrating Sealer (1 Litre)

HOW IT WORKS 

This sealer works by chemically reacting with the surface pores using nano-technology developed to create a protective barrier to water and oils. The active component is a molecule consisting of silicon, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The molecule has two ends, one hydrophilic the other hydrophobic. When applied, the hydrophilic end reacts with moisture retained in the substrate and breaks away to form another compound that reacts within the masonry lattice. This reaction forms a bond that is stronger than any mechanical or hydrogen bonding of conventional film forming sealers, the exposed hydrophobic end of the molecule changes the surface energy with the result that water and oils are now repelled, but the micro pores are still open enough to allow moisture vapour to escape making the treated surface breathable.

For more info, visit: www.deepshield.com.au/How-Deepshield-Works

COVERAGE

• 7-13m² / Ltr per coat approximately depending on surface porosity.

PRODUCT FEATURES

• Product will last up to 10 years or longer dependent on weather and surface usage.
• Water based, Non-Flammable, Odourless, No toxic fumes.
• Protects stone, concrete, Terracotta, unglazed tiles, pavers & other natural rock against water damage & staining.
• Provides superior stain resistance against contaminants such as oil, grease, coffee & wine.
• Does not alter the coefficients of friction or slip factor.
• Enables easier removal of dirt, food, beverage, oil and grease stains.
• Assists in eliminating the occurrence of efflorescence.
• Reduces moss, mould and algae growth.
• Stone retains a natural look.
• Will not etch, alter or discolour natural look.
• Breathable, allows water vapour to escape.
• Alkali resistant, food safe.
• Salt barrier, ideal around saltwater pools or marinas.
• Non-Film forming, will never peel or flake.

APPLICATION

• This product is designed to be used on porous surfaces only. Do not use this product to seal a polished or glazed surface.
• Surface to be treated should be clean and absorbent. Product can be applied to damp surfaces.
• Protect any adjacent areas by masking to avoid splashes or overspray onto surfaces not intended to be treated.
• Apply this sealer liberally, by low pressure sprayer, lambswool applicator, bristle broom, paint brush or roller.
• Flood coat the surface to achieve a “wet” look. It is best to agitate the product into slightly denser surfaces.
• Leave for 5 to 20 minutes then reapply a second coat whilst still wet.
• Do not allow the product to pool on the surface.
• Wipe or buff excess product off the surface after 5 minutes with a clean dry cloth or floor pad.
• Allow surface to dry, full curing will take 24 hours, however, surface can be walked on after 4 hours.
• Do not allow surface to get wet until the sealer has fully cured (24 hours).
• For further application instructions please visit:  www.deepshield.com.au/Application

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Designed for superior protection of natural stone tiles, terracotta tiles, grout lines, concrete and other porous surfaces from both water and oil based contaminants, this fast curing vapour permeable sealer can be used indoors and outdoors.

• Q: Why seal tiles?
• A: Building materials such as natural stone, brick, concrete, tiles and grout are all made up of countless invisible capillary pores. This makes them porous and allows the absorption of damaging liquids such as water, water-borne salts and oils. These liquids cause the building material to deteriorate prematurely and in doing so reduce their usefulness. Examples of deterioration include; weathering, loss of strength, efflorescence, salt attack, sulphate attack, unsightly staining, biological attack, reinforcement rusting, chemical attack, swelling, embrittlement and picture framing. Sealing can help eliminate or significantly reduce most of these problems.
• Q: What makes Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer different?
• A: There are two main "categories" of sealers, namely, surface (topical) sealers and impregnating (penetrating) sealers. 
  Topical sealers provide a physical barrier over the surface, which also results in a darkening, yellowing or a glossy effect on the surface. Surface (topical) sealers usually don't last long, can make the floors slippery, and need to be completely removed from the surface the next time it requires sealing. Salts and efflorescence may also build-up under the surface, causing the coating to appear cloudy. 
  Impregnating (penetrating) sealers penetrate into the surface (inside the pore structure) of the tile rather than sit on the surface. Impregnating (penetrating) sealers do not change the slipperiness of the surface, and do not cause any darkening, or yellowing to the surface, and never leave a visible shine.
• Q: How often do I need to seal my tiles or stone?
• A: If you sealed your stone with Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer and have properly maintained your surfaces the sealer should last up to 10 years. The longevity can vary depending on the type of stone, tile or grout, location and what type of wear the surface is exposed to.
• Q: How do I compare impregnating sealers?
• A: There are three main factors that set impregnating sealers apart. The carrier, the expected lifetime of the sealer and the depth of its penetration below the surface. A good depth of penetration will help provide longer lasting protection against traffic wear and weathering.
• Q: How do I calculate the amount of sealer I need?
• A: The amount of sealer you require for your tiles will depend on the size and porosity of the tiles you want to seal. The more porous the surface is, the more sealer it requires. On average 1 litre of Deepshield™ sealer will cover 6m2 of Travertine, 6m2 of Concrete Paver, 6m2 of Porous Ceramic, 5m2 of Limestone and 4m2 of Sandstone or Terracotta. 
  To determine the size of the area you want to seal, measure the length and width of the area(length x width).
• Q: Will Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer build up, crack, peel, or discolour?
• A: No. Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer will penetrate and bond to the pore structure of your surface. It is not a surface coating and will not crack, peel, yellow or discolour at any time.
• Q: How can I buy Deepshield™products?
• A: You can buy our products from our online shop, or from one of the dozens of Accredited Applicators throughout the country. Please refer to our “Online Shop” section of this website or phone or e-mail us to find out the easiest way for you to obtain our products.
• Q: How do I apply Deepshield™sealers?
• A: Deepshield™ should be applied liberally, using a low-pressure sprayer, lambswool applicator, bristle broom or paintbrush or roller. Whatever suits you best!
• Q: Why apply two coats when sealing tiles?
• A: We recommend applying two coats to ensure that no areas were missed, and also to make sure that the required amount of sealer has been applied.
• Q: Can someone apply your products for me?
• A: Deepshield™ has many Accredited Applicators. You can contact these applicators independently to obtain a quote for applying our products. All listed Accredited Applicators have the required skills, training, equipment, products and experience required for applying all Deepshield™ products.
• Q: Should the sealer be water-based or solvent-based?
• A: Water and solvent are only carriers for the active ingredients of the sealer, once the sealer is applied the carrier will evaporate and only the active ingredients will remain. You should always avoid using solvents because of health and environmental risks. Water-based sealers are easier to apply and have no toxic chemicals that can harm your health and environment.
• Q: Why is it necessary to carry out a test trial with the sealer before doing the full job?
• A: Every surface is subtlety different. Unless you have applied the sealer to the exact same surface with the same conditions before vital to conduct a small trial to ensure you get the result you are after.
• Q: How do I maintain my tiles after sealing?
• A: We recommend regular cleaning of treated exterior surfaces with pH neutral products. The long-term good looks of a sealed surface will depend on regular maintenance. Removing spills immediately, removing marks and routine cleaning of the surface will maintain the look of your surfaces for longer.
• Q: Which Deepshield™ products can I use in food prep areas?
• A: All Deepshield™ products are non-toxic and safe for use in food preparation areas.
• Q: After sealing with Deepshield™ what cleaning products should I use to maintain the tiles?
• A: Use non-acidic cleaners or a light cleaner like dish-washing liquid or just plain water. Use a damp mop or cloth. There is no need to use harsh detergents, or cleaners containing chlorine or abrasive materials.
• Q: I have sealed my tiles with Deepshield™ and now the tiles have a sticky residue on the surface. What should I do?
• A: After sealing with Deepshield™ all excess sealer should be wiped off immediately before it dries. The result of excess sealer being left on the surface is usually a sticky residue that can be felt on the surface of the tile. If the sealer is less than a few days old, the residue can be removed by scrubbing the tiles with a residue remover up to 48 hours after sealing. In some cases buffing the surface following the removal the residue may be required.
• Q: Is it normal to still get scuff marks on a surface that has been treated with an impregnating sealer?
• A: Since impregnating sealers do not completely fill the surface pores, marks from the likes of rubber soled shoes can still discolour the surface. But this can be cleaned, which is the good news as the sealer holds the contaminating agent close to the surface.
• Q: How can I remove excess product that has dried on the surface of my tiles?
• A: After sealing, you should immediately wipe off all excess sealer; not doing so could result in the tiles looking cloudy or even patchy. Something similar can also happen if the surface is too hot, so a general rule is that if the surface is hot to touch then it is too hot to seal. If the sealer is less than a few days old, the residue can be removed by scrubbing the tiles with a residue remover, at least 48 hours after sealing. 
  After removing the excess you should check if the cleaned surface still repels water, if not those affected areas should be re-sealed.
• Q: How can I get maintenance free tiles?
• A: In short, you can’t. Surfaces sealed with impregnating sealers can still mark. To obtain maintenance a free surface you will need to use an epoxy or polyurethane surface coating or use a vitreous tile. However, surface coatings do have a number of significant problems as they do not breathe and can trap unsightly water vapour under the surface, they also need to be completely removed when re-coating, are very expensive to install and significantly change the look of the surface.
• Q: What is 'picture framing'?
• A: Picture framing is a term used to describe a type of discolouration that occurs on the outer rim of the surface of the tile. It occurs when water or grout moves into the edges of a tile to create an unsightly darkening or “frame” affect. Picture framing is usually irreversible and should be prevented from occurring, preventive measures include pre-sealing the upper-surface of the sides of the tile before grouting.
• Q: Will I still get some staining after sealing?
• A: We believe our sealers are the best of their type available on the market and are used daily by hundreds of professional applicators as well as thousands of DIY home owners. However, even impregnating sealers have their limits. For instance our sealers will not stop sensitive natural stone from etching, so to minimise absorption, spillages should be cleaned up immediately.
• Q: Can I seal tiles that have pre-existing sealer on them?
• A: All pre-existing surface sealers must be removed before applying Deepshield™ to any surface, as the coating left by the old surface sealer may block the product from penetrating the surface. You don't however need to strip pre-existing penetrating impregnating sealers, as Deepshield™ impregnating sealer will pass through any other previously applied impregnating sealer.
• Q: I have sealed my tiles with a penetrating sealer. Can I apply a surface sealer over the treated area?
• A: In some cases you can, but it is not recommended, and usually only solvent sealers will last long on a surface already sealed with a penetrating sealer. Only a solvent-based surface sealer will adhere to an impregnated surface.
• Q: Why are water-based sealers recommended over solvent sealers?
• A: Solvent Sealers are not recommended for health and safety reasons. They also require more skills when applying, as sealing tiles that contain any moisture could result in the surface turning white and require resurfacing.
• Q: Will sealing my natural stone make it "salt safe"?
• A: Not completely. There is no doubt that our sealers will provide a considerable resistance to the ingress of water and salt into the stone, however the treated stone will not necessarily become 'salt safe'. Rather, it becomes far more resistant to the ingress of salt. 
  The durability of the stone will be affected by the amount of salt already in the stone prior to treatment, the proximity to salt water, the type and concentration of the salts in the water, the type and quality of the stone and sub-soil drainage. 
  At Deepshield™ we believe our sealers are the best available and are quite easy to apply, however they must be applied correctly. With proper application our sealers can significantly improve the durability of natural stone in a salt water environment.
• Q: If I seal a tile or paver on all sides, will a tile adhesive still stick to it?
• A: After a tile or paver is sealed with a Deepshield™ sealer on all sides, or dip-sealed (immersed in the sealer for a few seconds) it becomes water repellent after it’s allowed the required curing period of around 24 hours. Therefore, plain sand and cement mortar could have trouble sticking to a surface coated with Deepshield. There are polymer-modified adhesives on the market that will work to overcome this water repellency.
• Q: I am about to seal my pavers, but have discovered large "white" marks on them, what should I do?
• A: After installation, cement pavers are often acid washed to remove grout marks. If the pavers have not been thoroughly neutralised and rinsed clean with fresh water after acid washing, then the residue from the acid wash may show up as a large white mark on the surface. These marks can be removed by using a mild acid, such as phosphoric acid diluted in water and scrubbed. Always first test the use of any acid on a hidden area.
• Q: What is efflorescence and what causes it?
• A: Efflorescence appears as a white deposit of mineral salts and is caused by moisture ingress. As the moisture enters and moves through the wall or floor, it dissolves mineral salts. This mineral salt solution eventually finds its way to the surface and as the water evaporates, it leaves behind a white deposit. On porous construction materials it may present a cosmetic problem only (primary efflorescence), but can sometimes indicate serious structural weakness (secondary efflorescence).
  To help stop efflorescence, surfaces should be sealed with a high performance sealer as soon as practical. By using a deep penetrating, alkaline resistant sealer such as Deepshield™ GOLD, the surface will be able to withstand the highly alkaline environment found in cement based-materials. Deepshield™ Gold is completely breathable so moisture cannot be trapped below the surface.
• Q: Will sealing with Deepshield™ stop my shower leaking?
• A: The most common reasons for a shower to leak are (a) leaking pipes in the wall, (b) the sheet membrane under the tiles has failed or (c) the joint between the shower drain and tiles has failed. If the grout and flexible joint sealant in the shower are in a good condition then sealing with Deepshield™ is certainly an excellent and relatively inexpensive first option in stopping the leak. Fixing a leaking pressure pipe is a job for a plumber.
• Q: Can I seal tiles that are constantly underwater?
• A: Our products are not recommended for underwater surfaces.
• Q: Can Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer be used on glazed or highly polished tiles?
• A: In most cases, glazed ceramic tiles do not require any type of sealant, as the top layer will not allow anything to penetrate the glaze. Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer is unsuitable as it may not penetrate the surface completely, leaving residue on the surface and causing a bigger problem than prior to sealing. Deepshield™ Gold is designed for very dense surfaces and unlike other penetrating sealers produces excellent results on some glazed ceramic tile.
• Q: Will sealing make my floors dirt resistant?
• A: Sealing a surface with an impregnating sealer will make the surface stain resistant, but not dirt resistant. The sealed surface should be cleaned as regularly as other non-sealed surfaces. If a problematic substance such as sticky tree gum falls on a sealed surface, it can still be difficult to clean, but should not permanently stain the surface, as it might an unsealed surface.
• Q: Can I use Deepshield™ to seal my fireplace tiles?
• A: Yes, Deepshield™ Sealer is water-based and non flammable, making it suitable for use around fireplace areas.
• Q: How do I remove efflorescence and watermarks from acid sensitive tiles?
• A: There are products available specifically designed to remove efflorescence and fresh cement grout haze from most types of stone and tile surfaces, including acid sensitive surfaces. Watermarks appear as white residue once the water has dried consisting of calcium, fluoride, magnesium and other minerals, which can also be removed using these products.
• Q: Are your products environmentally friendly?
• A: Yes. Deepshield™ sealers are non-toxic water based sealers and can be used indoors and outdoors, with no unpleasant odours or flammability issues.
• Q: How do I know which sealer to buy for my tiles?
• A: The market offers many brands with similar claims. Deepshield™ sealers differ in two important ways. Firstly, their deeper penetration provides extra protection against weathering, traffic wear, efflorescence, salt attack and freeze-thaw attack. Secondly, Deepshield™ has a lifetime of up to 10 years.
• Q: How does Deepshield™ Colour Enhancer differ from other similar sealers?
• A: Deepshield™ Colour Enhancer will slightly darken and enhance the colour of the surface without changing its wet slip frictional properties. Because of this, it will not make your flooring any more or less slippery. This is essential in keeping a safe to walk on surface under all conditions.
• Q: How many days after grouting with cement based grout can I seal with Deepshield™?
• A: It is recommended that grout needs to be allowed a minimum of 3 days to cure before sealing.
• Q: How do I know that my tiles are sealed?
• A: An easy way to find out if your tiles are sealed is to carry out the water test. Place a tablespoon of water on the treated surface for 20 minutes, remove the water with a tissue or cloth, pressing hard to soak up any water in the texture of the surface. If the water is absorbed or leaves a dark mark, the surface needs to be sealed, otherwise, the surface is adequately sealed and does not require further sealing.
• Q: Will sealing with Deepshield™ stop moss and mould growth?
• A: In a way it does. Deepshield™ sealers will result in the water beading, and running off the surface rather than soaking in. However, moss, mould and other biofilms can grow on glass under the right environmental conditions. Moss can return as moisture and easily accumulate on top of your tiles or concrete. Sealing won't prevent moisture being deposited on the brick by fog/mist or dew, especially in relatively high humidity, therefore sealing will help a lot, but without the right care, growth can still occur. 
  In short, moss and mould need water to survive, and sealing the surface with Deepshield™ Penetrating Sealer will significantly reduce the amount of water penetrating the surface and so greatly reduce the chances of moss & mould growth.
• Q: Can I apply a topical coating to a surface already treated with Deepshield™ Penetrating Sealer?
• A: Deepshield™ do not recommend this due to possible bond and/or aesthetic issues, however if you choose to apply a topical sealer to a surface treated with Deepshield™ please carry out a test on a sample area first to determine the result.
• Q: Will Deepshield™ sealers change the appearance of my tiles and grout?
• A: The straight answer is no! Deepshield™ Gold seals the pores within the tile or stone surface and not change the feel, texture or colour of the treated surface as Deepshield™ dries invisible. The only exception to this is Deepshield™ Colour Enhancing Penetrating Sealer, which will slightly darken and highlight the character of your natural stone, giving it a wet look. Deepshield™ sealers are also resistant to UV light.
• Q: How long will Deepshield™ Transparent Penetrating Sealer take to dry?
• A: Deepshield™ Transparent Sealer will be touch dry after 4 hours and requires 24 hours to fully cure.