RPS Repair/Reseal Protocol

What should I do if the stain or spill is not easily removed from a countertop sealed with Buddy Rhodes Reactive Polyurethane Sealer?

Although Buddy Rhodes Reactive Polyurethane Sealer provides excellent stain protection, sometimes a harsh staining agent left on the surface will leave a mark that cannot be removed with standard cleaners. Blemishes such as deep scratches or surface etching may also occur depending on use. Often it is the sealer itself that has absorbed the staining agent or has been scratched, and the underlying concrete is unaffected. Sanding off the affected area to remove the sealer will often remove the stain or blemish. This surface would then need to be resealed.

If the blemish continues through to the concrete, or the sealer was already missing, additional sanding or diamond polishing may be required to eliminate the stain entirely. This may or may not have an impact on the surrounding area, as the sand and aggregate contained in the concrete will begin to appear more readily. Additional processing may be necessary in other areas to provide a cohesive appearance to the entire countertop. Buddy Rhodes Glazes can be used to “antique” or faux color the bare concrete surface, often disguising certain stubborn stains. If glazes will be used, the entire surface should be prepared for resealing prior to this coloring application. Poultices can be used on deeper oil type stains by using a solvent like denatured alcohol to cut and lift the oil to the surface, trapping the agent in the dry material.

Prior to resealing the countertop, the entire surface needs to be sanded/profiled to a 200- grit finish, for proper mechanical adhesion of the sealer. Clean the surface with water and wipe dry. A clean rag and acetone wipe will ensure the surface is free from debris or contaminants that may impede sealer adhesion.

Sealer re-application should begin with the first priming step and depending on the amount of sealer that needs to be applied will be determined by how much the concrete surface color darkens. The concrete will absorb or accept more material where the sealer has been completely removed compared to surrounding areas that may still have some sealer present. The goal is to continually keep the top wet, adding more material to the areas that dry first, while following the RPS application instructions. This process will begin to even out the value of sealer across the entire surface. If there was minimal color change from the first prime application, the next step will be the final applications. If there were areas of distinctive color differences, a second prime application should follow, prior to proceeding with the final applications sequence. Apply the final sealer applications, following the RPS instructions.