Most natural stones are open-pored. Liquids such as wine, coffee, oil or rainwater penetrate and leave stains that are almost impossible to remove. A sealer penetrates the pores and makes the stone water- and oil-repellent – without changing its natural look and without stopping the stone from “breathing”.
Sealer, colour enhancer or coating?
- Impregnating sealer (stain protection): invisible, protects inside the pores. The stone looks just as before.
- Colour enhancer: also protects, but makes the colours richer with a “wet look”.
- Coating / wax: forms a film on the surface, adds shine and needs regular maintenance.
Which product for which stone?
| Use | Product | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen, bathroom, dining table – stain protection | SI 86 Natural Stone Stain Stop | Moderately to highly absorbent natural and engineered stone |
| Water-based stain protection, food-safe | SI 88 Stain Stop Aqua | All absorbent stones, indoors and outdoors – ideal for kitchen worktops |
| Porcelain stoneware and dense stone | SI 84 Porcelain Stoneware Stain Stop | Porcelain stoneware, low-absorbency natural stone |
| Refreshing colours | SI 80 Colour Enhancer Ultra / SI 83 Colour Enhancer | Cleft slate, marble and granite, from finely honed to split |
| Patio, paving, façade – water protection | SB 56 Water Repellent | Concrete slabs, paving, porous natural stone, clinker, sand-lime brick; vapour-permeable |
| Patio with barbecue – protection against grease and oil | SB 55 Stone Protection | Concrete slabs, paving, porous natural stone outdoors; refreshes the colour |
| Glossy surface, concrete or stone floor | SB 43 Stone Sealant | Ground concrete and stone floors; can be buffed |
| Caring for slate naturally | SB 49 Slate Oil / Stone Oil | Slate floors, tables, window sills |
| Oiling cement tiles | SB 48 Cement Tile Oil | Cement tiles |
| Cotto with a soft sheen | SB 45 Premium Wax | Cotto, clay tiles, engineered stone |
How to proceed
- Clean thoroughly. The stone must be free of dirt, grease and old care films – otherwise the dirt gets “sealed in”. GR 75 Special Deep Cleaner is suitable for this.
- Let it dry completely. 24–48 hours depending on the stone and weather.
- Do a test patch. Especially with colour enhancers and oils, first check in an inconspicuous spot how the stone reacts.
- Apply evenly and remove excess before it dries. Exact details can be found in the product's technical data sheet.
- Maintain correctly. With the right floor care (e.g. UR 14 after SB 43 or SB 49, UR 19 after SB 48, UR 10 after SB 45), the protection lasts much longer.
Conclusion: a good sealer is the cheapest insurance for your stone. Done properly once, it saves you years of trouble with stains.
