Have you ever wondered why most people choose granite for their kitchen countertops? If you think about it, granite is more than just a good-looking stone with different colors. It is also a durable material that can resist heat and scratches. However, like with any other surface, granite countertops need maintenance. To keep granite looking pristine, you have to seal it regularly.
You might think of simply wiping off any spillage on your countertop, but granite is porous. Over time, those spills can cause damage to the stone. But here’s the good news, sealing your granite countertop is very easy to do. As a matter of fact, granite sealers not only “seal” your countertop, but some products can even polish, clean, and protect the surface. It’s a simple solution compared to the cost of replacing your counter.
We have reviewed 8 granite sealers, so you don’t have to compare them yourself painstakingly. As you can see in our comparison table, each product has a different protection duration. You’ll also immediately notice the sealers that can polish and clean that we have mentioned earlier.
Best Granite Sealer Reviews
StoneTech BulletProof Sealer – Top Pick
Our first product will immediately catch your attention. After all, StoneTech called it their “BulletProof” sealer. So what separates this sealer from the rest?
Advanced Microbond Sealant Technology
The BulletProof sealer from StoneTech attributes its effectiveness on water-based fluoropolymers. What is a fluoropolymer? We don’t want to make it sound too technical, so for your ease of understanding, its a compound with carbon-fluoride bonds. This composition of fluoropolymers isis what makess these compounds desirable as a coating.
To give you an idea, fluoropolymers have the following qualities:
1. Does not absorb water
2. Reduce friction
3. Resist corrosion
4. Non-stick
5. Temperature-resilient
6. Does not conduct electricity
Low VOC
Another interesting characteristic of this sealer from StoneTech is that it has a low VOC. You will see the acronym VOC throughout this review. Therefore, it is important that you have an idea about its relevance.
No Chemical Smells
Back to our product, as we have said earlier, the BulletProof sealer has low VOC content. Upon application, you will not expect any irritating fumes typical to some sealers. To assure you, the product itself is water-based and only includes fluorinated acrylic alkylamino copolymer, and glycol ethers.
Absorbs Better Than Water
What impresses us is that despite being water-based, this sealer is able to absorb deeply into the granite surface. If you checked our Buyer’s Guide, you’d know that absorption is crucial for the product’s effectiveness. The sealer’s microbond technology (that we have discussed earlier) is capable of protecting not only against water-based stains but even for oil-based stains. Of course, oil-based stains are our nemesis when it comes to kitchen countertops. If you have a busy kitchen, commercial or not, the BulletProof sealer is an excellent choice.
Easy Application
Besides being respiratory-friendly, applying the BulletProof sealer is also easy. Like with any other product, make sure that you have cleaned your surface first. If you have just removed standing water, you have to wait for at least 1 hour. After that, you can sponge the product on, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then add another coating depending on your surface. You can then wipe your counter dry to prevent it from forming a haze. Some other important considerations are keeping your area well-ventilated and having the surface temperature between 50 °F and 80 °F.
Pros
Absorption on stone is excellent
Water-based with low VOC content
No chemical smell
Easy application
Lasts for 3 years on exterior surfaces
Last for 5 years on interior surfaces
Cons
Expensive
1-year shelf life after opening
Aqua Mix Enrich ‘N’ Seal – Protects and Enhances Colors
As we have talked about in the introduction, manufacturers are now marketing sealers that also act as enhancers. This means you don’t have to settle on coating sealers that can make your stone look better but wore off quickly. You can now opt for sealers that protect, with the same enhancing effects.
Polycure Technology
The Enrich N Seal sealer from Aqua Mix is a good example. It provides excellent stain resistance, but at the same time, enriches the look of your granite. According to Aqua Mix, these qualities came from their product’s Polycure Technology. And the star here is the moisture-curing reactive polysiloxane.
15-Year Protection
As a sealer, Aqua Mix boasts that this product can provide protection for up to 15 years. This is a very impressive number, but it will still depend on a number of factors and on other factors and on your everyday usage. Nonetheless, we’re sure about two things. First, this sealer will not alter the slip resistance of your surface. And, it second, Enrich N Seal allows for moisture-vapor transmission. This product even has low VOC content like the previous sealer, which is something everyone will always appreciate.
Be Careful with Residues
How does it apply? A gallon can coat 500 to 1,500 square feet in a single application. But our tip is to cover your stone surface at least twice, especially if your granite has a darker or richer color. And if you need 2 or more applications, make sure to lend at least 30 minutes of drying time in between each application.
We should also remind you never to overlap each stroke. And if any amount of product failed to penetrate the surface, make sure to wipe it clean. Keep in mind to do this while not exceeding 5 minutes upon application to avoid residues. As we have mentioned in our buyer’s guide, buffing the surface dry is crucial since enhancing sealers are not meant to leave a sheen on the surface.
Enrich N Seal is pretty time-sensitive. Besides the 30-minute drying time (at 20° Celsius and 70% RH), you need to achieve a full cure in a minimum of 48 hours. This might be daunting, especially for those sealing their granite surface for the first time, but the results are worth it. After the initial cure, you’ll see a noticeably darkened surface. And the best part is, this effect is permanent.
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