Which flagstone sealant to use (Non SWG)

Feb 18, 2014
191
Houston, TX
So i haven't found any newer threads regarding flagstone sealant. I got my pool remodeled in august and they sealed the flagstone which had a nice glossy wet look, but it soon wore off in 2 months.

Any recommendations for a non SWG pool?
 
Either DryTreat 40sk product line or DuPont StoneTech products. Both are considered high end sealants.
 
Dupont has the salt water resistant sealer. I'm not sure if it would be necessary for my to buy that one. Im not sure which product would be closest to it without being specifically for sw pools.

I would also prefer a wet look sealant.
 
If you use any products with chlorine in it (tabs, bleach, muriatic acid, etc), then your pool will have salinity levels close to a saltwater pool in just a few years UNLESS you are draining and refilling often or if you get a lot of rain water mixing and overflow. Honestly, I don't think it matters much if it's branded as salt-water or not. The wet looking sealants usually leave a surface film behind almost like applying a clear lacquer finish. I would opt more for the impregnating sealer that leaves the natural stone color in place but still creates a hydrophobic surface. As you can see, the cheap sealant they used didn't even last you 2 months and I would expect that from a surface type sealant that is exposed to the a fair amount of weathering and sun you get in Houston.
 
I will probably go with Dupont Stonetech after reading Drytreat 40sk is rather expensive. I am planning on applying stonetec and allowing it to fully cure then applying 2 coats of enhancer pro.

Enhancer Pro is a semi-penetrating sealer that provides protection from water and oil, while also altering the color of the stone. This product will darken/deepen the colors, similar to what the stone may look like when wet.

Do you know if this will work?
 
I can’t say with a specificity because I decided against sealing any of my stone. I prefer the natural buckskin tone and I don’t really have to worry much about erosion or rainfall causing mildew/moss issues.

I personally would contact DuPont to make sure the products are compatible and can be used in the sequence you’re considering. I’d take a conservative approach to color enhancers and only go with the application rate specified by the manufacturer. Also, if possible, testing it out on a small patch in an inconspicuous spot would be a good idea. I’d hate to put something like that down and then hate the color.

Good luck with it and post some pictures of you do it. People ask about stone sealants all the time so the more real world examples, the better.
 
I have no experience with stone sealers but do have a casual observation. If Stonetech is a "sealer" and you apply it first and allow it to dry, how will the Enhancer Pro be able to reach the stone to change the color and provide protection? Since the stone is technically sealed by the Stonetech first then I would think the Enhancer Pro would not adhere and be a waste of time and money. If the Enhancer Pro does somehow work then that means the Stonetech is ineffective or was broken down by the Enhancer Pro.
 
I read from a post that dupont and drytreat both do not recommend against using two sealers. I got my info from this short thread https://www.troublefreepool.com/threads/89034-Oklahoma-Flagstone-Coping-concern-and but will post what a forum member posted here.


"We have a new pool with OK flagstone coping in the Austin, TX area. I sealed the stone first with Dry-Treat 40SK, waited a month, and then went on top of that with StoneTech Enhancer Pro.

Dry-Treat is both a sealer and consolidator that penetrates into the stone and fills the microscopic pores, where this hardens the substrate, resulting in protection from water (e.g. staining, freeze/thaw, salt), cracking, chipping, etc. Dry-Treat claims to use smaller particles than StoneTech and other brands. Dry-Treat 40SK does not alter the color of the stone. After the sealer cures, the stone retains its original look. Within a week the stone returned to its original color.

Enhancer Pro is a semi-penetrating sealer that provides protection from water and oil, while also altering the color of the stone. This product will darken/deepen the colors, similar to what the stone may look like when wet. I would describe the effect as adding "drama" to your pool... The stone colors were pale and flat originally, but after applying this product the colors really pop, and you can see all sorts of subtleties in the stone that weren't visible before. Two coats are recommended for the greatest effect.

Both manufacturers recommend against using two different sealers. I went this direction only after allowing Dry-Treat to fully cure (directions state 3~4 weeks), with the goal of gaining the color benefit from Enhancer Pro. I figured it would be like using Enhancer Pro on granite by the time the Dry-Treat cured. I tested in a small area before going whole hog, and the results were promising. Looking at the coping now, having completed the full perimeter of the pool, nearby steps, and several stone benches, I'm very happy with the result and would do it again. I've used these products on Austin white limestone, Leuders limestone, and Oklahoma coping (buff peach).

I spoke to both manufactures before proceeding. Dry-Treat described their product as liquid glass. Microscopic silicon-type nanoparticles that are delivered using solvent to penetrate into the stone, with far better penetration than water-based products. StoneTech uses a similar technology, but they don't claim to have the same depth of penetration. Dry-Treat boasts 15+ year performance, while StoneTech claims 3~5 years (and some here reseal with StoneTech every 1~3 years).

StoneTech Salt Water Sealer and StoneTech BulletProof are two alternatives to Dry-Treat. I've purchased some of these for use in other areas of the backyard (kitchen, patio, etc.) and will compare their performance over time. The downside to Dry-Treat is the high cost. I used something like 7 or 8 gallons of Dry-Treat, and then followed up covering the same area with 2 gallons of Enhancer Pro. In testing, I found that Enhancer Pro provides water protection with just a very thin first coat, so the product goes a long way. I'm guessing this thin coat is what gives the limited lifespan, needing to be resealed in a few years. Dry-Treat directions required many coats on the stone, as I found the OK flagstone to absorb a lot of the product. I'm guessing this is where Dry-Treat shows its value as a consolidator, with more particles penetrating deeper into the stone (several millimeters).

If you have lots of time and aren't on a tight budget, Dry-Treat is a great product. If you want fast and low-cost, go with any of the StoneTech products. "
 
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Try PM'ing the author of that post (madgunner) and see if they have anything further to add. The OP hasn't been active since June 2015 so they might not even be checking TFP much but it's worth a try. If they have an external e-mail address in their profile, you can use TFP to send a message to their external e-mail.
 
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