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Stain Guards
A stain guard improves a polished concrete floor’s resistance to spills. Depending on the treatment, it can also enhance color and add gloss. It does not make the floor stain-proof, and acidic spills can still etch the surface.
Craftsman uses Ameripolish 3D SP, PROSOCO Consolideck PolishGuard and PROSOCO Consolideck LSGuard. Each has different application, burnishing and care requirements. Stain protection is coordinated with the finish and acceptance checks in the polished concrete installation process.
Plan and apply the stain guard
A densifier hardens the cement paste near the surface, while a stain guard adds protection selected for the floor’s use. Apply the guard to a polished, clean floor in thin, even coats after testing a representative area. Any gloss the guard adds must not obscure whether the polishing itself meets the specification.
Densifier and stain guard perform different jobs
A concrete densifier hardens the cement paste near the surface and reduces dusting. It can reduce absorption and improve some stain resistance, but it does not make concrete stain-proof or acid resistant.
A stain guard provides additional protection selected for the floor’s use. Some treatments penetrate the concrete, some form a surface film and some combine those approaches.
Apply to a prepared floor in thin, even coats
Complete the polishing and clean the floor before applying the selected treatment. The surface must meet that product’s preparation requirements. Ameripolish’s 3D SP instructions call for new concrete to cure for 28 days before application. PROSOCO requires clean, dry, absorbent surfaces.
Test a representative area to confirm suitability, coverage and appearance before treating the full floor.
All three systems use a low-pressure sprayer and microfiber applicator. Apply thin, even coats without puddles. PROSOCO directs applicators to maintain a wet edge and stop spreading when drying begins. Allow each coat to reach the required dry condition, then follow the product’s burnishing and recoating sequence.
Where ACI SPEC-310.1-20 governs, streaking is evidence of over-application: the affected product must be removed and replaced. Its burnishing provisions also require proper drying before work proceeds. More material is not automatically more protection.
Check the polished finish before adding the guard
Some guards add gloss to the mechanically polished finish. That added shine must not obscure whether the polishing itself meets the specification.
Where ACI SPEC-310.1-20 is adopted, specular gloss must be measured before protectant application and conform with the approved mockup. Later guard application or burnishing does not replace that check. Project-specific contract documents govern conflicts with the specification.
Our gloss, DOI and haze guide explains the different appearance measurements.
Care for the treated floor
Staining and etching are different risks, and a guard can improve resistance without preventing either under every exposure. Clean spills promptly and follow the care instructions for the installed product. For PolishGuard and LSGuard, PROSOCO covers daily sweeping, cleaners, dry burnishing and recoating of affected high-traffic areas, without setting a calendar interval.
Clean spills promptly
Staining and etching are different risks. A guard can improve resistance without preventing either under every exposure. PROSOCO warns that acidic substances, including foods, may etch and stain PolishGuard- and LSGuard-treated floors. Ameripolish describes 3D SP as providing time to clean spills before staining or etching. Neither establishes a safe waiting period for every spill.
Clean spills promptly. When evaluating protection for a particular exposure, consider the chemical, concentration and contact time. Our chemical-resistance evidence guide explains how to interpret test results for those conditions.
Maintain the treatment on the floor
Use care instructions for the installed product. For PolishGuard and LSGuard, PROSOCO calls for daily sweeping with a microfiber pad or dry dust mop, cleaning with DailyKlean or LSKlean, and dry burnishing when needed to refresh gloss. It warns that other cleaners can contain acidic or alkaline ingredients that dull the finish.
PROSOCO’s recoating guidance addresses affected high-traffic areas to restore shine. Its sheets do not set a calendar interval.
The closeout and maintenance handover guide covers the product information needed for ongoing care.
The stain guards Craftsman uses
| Product | Protection and appearance | Burnishing |
|---|---|---|
| Ameripolish 3D SP | A semi-penetrating, semi-topical treatment formulated for polished, dyed concrete. Helps protect against stains and etching and enhances dyed color. | The manufacturer calls for burnishing each of two light applications once tack-free, using a high-speed machine with a 3000-grit or higher pad. |
| PROSOCO PolishGuard | A water-based protective coating that improves stain resistance and can be burnished for higher gloss. | Optional for increased gloss: wait at least 60 minutes after the final coat, then use a high-speed burnisher with a white polishing pad. |
| PROSOCO LSGuard | A copolymer treatment that improves sheen and stain resistance and enhances colored concrete. | Required once dry, using a HEAT Burnishing Pad or equivalent suitable pad. The surface immediately behind the burnisher must reach 91°F (33°C). Burnish between coats. |
Coordinate manufacturer instructions with any additional burnishing requirements in the project specification.
Traffic, water exposure and full protection have different timelines
A floor can be ready for traffic before its final resistance properties develop. The three systems illustrate why the milestones need to stay separate:
| Product | Traffic | Water exposure and later resistance |
|---|---|---|
| Ameripolish 3D SP | Light foot traffic when tack-free; equipment traffic within 24 hours. | Full cure within seven days. The manufacturer advises avoiding etching agents for seven days if possible. Its sheet gives no separate water-exposure time. |
| PROSOCO PolishGuard | Light foot traffic after four hours; normal traffic overnight, at 72°F and 40% relative humidity. | Protect from water for four hours. Full stain repellency develops in seven days. |
| PROSOCO LSGuard | Traffic within one hour of final burnishing under typical conditions. | Protect from water for 24 hours. Maximum water resistance develops over seven days. |
Traffic readiness does not establish readiness for wet cleaning. Plan each around the selected treatment and project requirements.
Where ACI SPEC-310.1-20 applies, it separately requires protection from standing moisture for 72 hours after completion. The return-to-traffic, water and full-cure guide explains how these milestones fit into the installation schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Densification can improve stain resistance, but it does not make concrete stain-proof or acid resistant. Additional stain protection is selected for the floor’s use. It may penetrate the concrete, form a surface film or combine those approaches.
No. Acidic spills can still etch and stain a guarded floor. Protection depends on the treatment and the exposure, so spills should be cleaned promptly rather than left on the surface.
No. Ameripolish 3D SP and PROSOCO LSGuard include burnishing in their application instructions. PROSOCO PolishGuard makes it optional for added gloss. The selected product’s drying and burnishing instructions apply, along with any additional project requirements.
Not where ACI SPEC-310.1-20 applies. The specified gloss measurement is taken before protectant application and must conform with the approved mockup. Added guard shine does not replace that acceptance check.
Reapplication depends on traffic, cleaning and the condition of the finish. At Craftsman, we assess worn areas to determine whether cleaning and burnishing will refresh the finish or whether the guard needs to be reapplied. High-traffic areas may need attention before the rest of the floor, so the whole floor does not necessarily need recoating at once.
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