Solvent vs. Water Base Sealers
Note: solvent means a petroleum derivative base.

Generally, the following is true but may or may not make any difference to your choice of sealers. All the sealers do what they are supposed to do and should be chosen by the characteristics best suited to the job criteria.

Water Base Sealers:

• Usually have no odor, or light odor. A consideration for indoor applications where people and pets cannot leave during the application.
• Usually have little effect on surface color.
• Are more tolerant of moisture remaining in the surface during sealer application.

Solvent Base Sealers:

• Usually penetrate better due to smaller molecular structure.
• Can enhance natural surface colors.
• Can strengthen soft surfacing (if the solids portion is of the type to do that).
• Must be applied to a dry surface, so that there is no moisture to interfere with sealer penetration.

Note:
Sometimes, despite your diligent research and the best of intentions of your suppliers salesperson, you might have been given the wrong information. Therefore, no matter how confident you are, whether first time user or seasoned professional, it just makes good sense to patch test a small area and evaluate the results in a few hours before doing a large area.

Most Aldon sealers have more than one area they can be used in any project. Check sealer information on the web site.