Impregnating Natural stone

When applied to natural stone or other materials (such as concrete, wood, plaster, terrazzo, terracotta...), impregnating agents prevent water, oil, grease and other dirt from penetrating the surface. The dirt remains on top of the surface and is easily removed afterwards.

An impregnating product does not seal the stone completely, but reduces the pores. This allows the stone to continue to breathe, but prevents it from absorbing dirt. So it is very important to impregnate natural stone. This makes maintenance easy and avoids the risk of permanent fouling.

WITH WHICH PRODUCT?

We distinguish between hydrophobic and oleophobic impregnation products:

• Hydrophobic impregnating agents, also known as hydrofuges, only repel water and therefore find their application mainly for facades, garden paths, terraces,...
• Besides being water-repellent, oleophobic impregnating agents are also oil- and grease-repellent. The treated surface is thus resistant to (kitchen) oils, dressings and soaps. They find their application mainly in interiors for kitchen worktops, floors and bathrooms. 

Do remain cautious when using acidic products on calciferous natural stones (e.g. marble, bluestone, travertine). An acidic product dissolves lime in the stone resulting in matt etching stains.

We distinguish between colourless and colour-depleting impregnation products:

• Colourless impregnation products are transparent and will not, or virtually not, darken the stone colour.
• Colour-deepening impregnation products are specially made to intensify the stone colour (to maintain a so called permanent wet effect of the stone). Matt surfaces stay matt, glossy ones stay glossy.
  
  

We distinguish between solvent-based and water-based impregnation products:

• Solvent-based impregnating agent:
• Penetrates deeper into the pores of the stone than a water-based product, resulting in a higher degree of protection.
• Substrate must be dry when applying the product, as solvents can react with water/moisture
• Packaged in metal bottles
  
  
• Water-based impregnating agent:
• Substrate may still be slightly moist
• Odourless
• Packed in plastic bottles

HOW TO PROCEED?

How do you go about impregnating natural stone?

1. Apply undiluted product to a dry and clean surface at an ambient temperature of 10-25°C.
   
   
2. For floors, switch off the floor heating and do not apply in full sunlight.


3. Worktops should be degreased with Cleaner I, after approx. 10 minutes you can already impregnate. Clean floors with Stone cleaner and water, when the stone is 100% dry, after approx. 1-2 days, you can impregnate with a solvent-based impregnator, with a water-based impregnator you can already impregnate from the moment the floor is optically dry.
   
   
4. During the impregnation time (10 to 30 minutes, different for each product, see technical data sheet) keep the surface wet with impregnating product. Porous surfaces will need several coats during this soaking time. 
   
   
5. After the soaking time, remove excess product with an absorbent cloth and scrub the surface completely dry with dry, lint-free cloths. Allow surface to rest for 12h before resuming use.
   
   

FAQ document with most frequently asked questions:  VIEW HERE

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