Raleigh, NC - The Concrete Countertop Institute (CCI), a hands-on educational resource dedicated to helping concrete countertop professionals succeed, has created the first exhaustive sealer stain testing program with a detailed protocol for rigorously testing and comparing commercially available concrete countertop sealers.
The detailed protocol includes specific instructions that allow anyone to objectively test and compare the stain and acid resistance of concrete countertop sealers. The protocol includes information on:
Which substances to use in the tests (substances such as mustard, bleach, lemon juice and olive oil)
How to apply the substances and measure results at various time intervals
Definitions of what “stain” and “etch” mean, with photographs
How to score the tests, then assemble and analyze the data
The protocol provides repeatable, realistic results that predict real-world behavior on clients’ concrete countertops. It reveals how different sealers behave over time and to a variety of substance exposures. The protocol also provides an objective method of scoring and comparing sealers.
CCI ran this test protocol on 27 commercially available concrete countertop sealers and found wide variations in performance, depending on the chemistry of the sealer, the application method and the concrete mix. CCI recommends that all concrete countertop professionals perform their own tests since their application methods and concrete mix will vary from those used by CCI.
The testing program protocol is publicly available on Concrete Connections, CCI’s informational Web site located at www.ConcreteCountertops.net. The actual test results are available only to concrete countertop professionals who are members of Concrete Connections.
Jeffrey Girard, P.E., President of The Concrete Countertop Institute and author of the protocol, says, “The purpose of this sealer stain testing program was to provide concrete countertop professionals with a repeatable, consistent method to test any sealer they use or are considering using, not to condemn any sealer or judge a sealer’s overall quality. That’s why we don’t report the results publicly.” He adds, “Performing these tests will help concrete countertop professionals set client expectations, develop contract wording, and develop an owner’s guide for their concrete countertops. Their clients will be happier, they will make more money, and the reputation of the industry as a whole will improve. I strongly recommend that all concrete countertop professionals perform rigorous testing of any sealer before using it on clients’ countertops, regardless of what the manufacturer says about performance.”
To download the testing protocol, visit www.ConcreteCountertops.net and click on the Sealer category in the Articles list.
About The Concrete Countertop Institute:
The Concrete Countertop Institute’s mission is to help concrete countertop professionals succeed. The Institute provides contractors with intensive training via its CCI Training Programs and information and networking opportunities via the Concrete Connections Web site and the Concrete Countertop Industry Conference.
contact: Lane Mangum
company: The Concrete Countertop Institute
phone: 888-386-7711
email: lanem@
