+ How durable is the product?

It is considerably more durable than our competitors. The coating is absorbed into the material and does not sit on top of the surface finish. The more material absorbed into the material, the deeper the penetration.

+ Can I get CaraPro in different colors/stains?

Yes, we can provide a variety of colors and offer color-matching for larger orders.

+ How easy is the product to apply?

Very easy, by roller, brush or spray-on. Because you simply cannot overcoat using our material, it is very easy to apply. Different surfaces call for different applications, but all are fast and efficient.

+ Will the product cause my tile or other walkways to be slippery?

No, as a penetrating sealer, it is absorbed into the material and does not sit on top of the surface.

+ Is the product toxic to humans or animals?

As with any other chemical, proper caution must be used with application. However, no heavy metals are used in the material.

+ Should I use a cleaner before application?

We recommend pressure washing the to-be-coated surface. If stubborn stains persist, more aggressive chemical treatments may be necessary. Adjustments to the porosity or surface roughness (e.g., acid treatment or mechanical grinding/polishing/sandblasting) of the surface needs to be made prior to application. The last thing anyone wants is to seal an undesired blemish into the surface. In general, we tell our clients that surface preparation constitutes the majority of the work when applying our material. Once the surface is cleaned/prepped, then you can apply our CaraPro range of Single-Coat-Sealers/Stains. It is also worth mentioning that because we are a penetrating sealer/stain, we do not conceal color variations arising from variations in porosity across the substrate.

+ How much should I apply?

Typical coverages range between 75-300 sqft/gallon and depend on the porosity of the substrate and what level of protection is required by the user. We do recommend ordering a little more than you anticipate to ensure you have a sufficient volume of material to complete the project. This is particularly pertinent if you are applying a CaraPro Single-Coat-Stain to ensure color cohesiveness.

+ How do I apply your products?

The unique nanostructures comprising our patented technology for this line of product coupled with its comparatively low viscosity (similar to water) afford ease-of-application and workability to the applicator. Depending on the surface being treated our product can be applied via a pump sprayer, it can be spread using a nylon soft/medium bristle brush, or you can use a stain pad to apply consistently.

+ How long does it take for your product to dry after application?

Dry times typically range between 45 minutes - 2 hours (after which foot traffic is tolerable) with a full cure obtained within 24-48 hours (depending on ambient conditions). While our system is designed as a single-coat system, additional coats can be applied within minutes after applying the first coat.

+ How well does your product bond with multiple coats?

Multiple coats does not affect the adhesion of subsequent coats (within the limitation of the substrate). In fact, because our system is reactive, subsequent coats will continue to bond to not only the substrate, but the reactive molecules that were previously introduced through previous coats.

+ How often should I reapply CaraPro single-coat-sealer to my surfaces?

We typically recommend reapplication after 3-5 years on horizontal surfaces and 5-7 years of vertical surfaces. Our system works through the action of penetrating oligomers that ingress into the substrate to form an interpenetrating network that protects from the inside out. Because our system penetrates into the material rather than forming an easily erodible surficial film, the only way to remove our coating once cured is to physically destroy the substrate itself.

+ What’s the process for adding another coat after 3-5 years?

The process for reapplication is always case-by-case, but in general, we recommend lightly pressure-washing the area to-be-recoated to remove any surficial debris/soiling. Once the surface is dry-to-the-touch, our material can be easily reapplied in the same manner as the initial coating was via either spray, roll, or brush (we recommend spray application for larger areas).

+ Does your sealer breathe or allow vapors through it?

Our CaraPro line of sealers/stains are non-film forming and 'breathable' to vapors/gases.

+ Are you saying your product helps with vapor drive?

Our product helps with vapor drive insofar as mitigating any water vapor that has condensed into liquid-phase beneath the penetration depth of our sealer, which varies with porosity. Any vapor-phase water will still pass through.

+ What happens if your product is over applied?

The upper limit for how much material can be applied is dependent on the porosity/permeability of the substrate. In the rare case of over-application, the applicator will find that excess sealer pooling atop the surface that can no longer readily penetrating into the substrate. Even in this extreme case, the applicator can easily rectify the issue of over-application by soaking up the excess solution from the surface. At this point, enough sealer has been absorbed/adsorbed into/onto the substrate to result in an apparent wet look.

If enough excess material is left on the surface, a glossy to whitish thin-film may form at the surface. Excess material should never be left pooling at the surface. Typical coverages range between 75-300 sqft/gallon and depend on the porosity of the substrate and what level of protection is required by the user (e.g., industrial application where chemical/acid resistance is desired may require multiple coats to ensure the highest level of protection).

+ We have previously used hardners and densifiers, sometime lithium based and other potassium based. How would your product work going over these products to help protect surface from wetting out or providing more integrity?

In terms of compatibility with other products, we typically have no issue in applying our sealer to surfaces previously treated with hardeners/consolidants. However, we always recommend testing a small inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility and desired performance. Additionally, our coating does not adversely affect the adhesion of subsequent top coats of a film-forming coating if that is what's desired by the end-user (e.g., in more industrial applications, some like to apply our material to penetrate into the concrete and subsequently apply a thick epoxy/acrylic/urethane coating on top).

+ Why would I use your product under epoxy/acrylic/urethane coatings, or other industrial coatings?

In industrial settings, some like to add penetrating sealers beneath top coats simply as an extra layer of protection and to mitigate any liquid-phase water from creeping up from beneath the top coat.

+ Will your product work on cedar shingle roofing?

Absolutely, our CaraPro Premium line of wood sealers & stains work great on cedar shingles. The surface needs to be properly cleaned/prepared [light pressure-wash and potentially chemical treatment with a wood brightener (e.g., oxalic acid)] before sealing.

+ Will my wood maintain its color if I use CaraPro Single-Coat-Clear Wood Sealer?

While CaraPro Single-Coat-CLEAR Wood Sealer is highly UV resistant itself, it affords limited UV protection to the wood as there are no UV reflective / absorbing pigments. While the weatherproofing protection is still there, you will notice unstained wood gray naturally over time at a delayed rate.

+ How do I prevent my wood naturally graying over time?

Wood will continue to gray as long as it is exposed to UV rays outdoors. Using CaraPro Single Coat Stain Wood Sealer will slow this natural process as the pigment offers some UV reflective/absorbing properties.