how to treat a concrete tabletop

[Yukster]

Hi

I got a dining table made of oak legs and a concrete tabletop. The concrete is mixed with a pigment and is untreated. What's the best way of coating the concrete tabletop to 1. stop the pigment coming off when I touch it; 2. to protect the table, make it waterproof and make it easy to clear

I'd be grateful for your advice

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

You need a concrete sealer.

 

[ic1927]

Be aware that some concrete sealers are not suitable if the concrete has been pigmented .

 

[Yukster]

Thanks for posting a reply. Which concrete sealer do i need. which sealer is suitable for pigmented concrete?

 

[ic1927]

International make a quick drying clear sealer for coloured/pigmented concrete floors, this should do the job.

 

[Yukster]

Thanks. The International concrete sealer is pretty hard to find in shops.
Someone recommended sealing the concrete with Unibond PVA. Is that a bad idea?

 

[ic1927]

If you can't find an International stockist then try Leyland paints, they do a clear heavy duty floor paint that is based on polyurethane alkyd resins, so it is very tough, it gives a clear satin finish, this is widely available in Leyland/Johnstones stores throughout the uk. Downside is it only comes in 5 litre tins I think.

 

[Yukster]

Thanks. DO Layland also sell a suitable concrete sealer for pigmented concrete?

 

[TheDec]

The product suggested by ic1927 can be applied instead of the sealer it will both seal and protect the surface.

Dec

 

[joe-90]

I'd love to see a picture of this table. Not to my taste, but interesting. If it were me doing it I'd grind the tabletop first so that it is smooth and you see the inside of the stones then use an epoxy resin - and sand that smooth, then polish it up. It would look like those displays you see in natural history museums.

 

[Yukster]

Here is the image of my dining table

Concrete dining table

• Yukster
• 11 Aug 2011
• 1

Here is the image of my dining table. I would be grateful for any further suggestions re ways of sealing the concrete surface to protect it from staining and to make it waterproof.

The suggestions made so far are International concrete sealer but International product support tells me that the sealer wont protect the concrete. They tell me that it's meant to be used as a primer. Others suggested to treat the concrete with wax. I also wondered whether a matt varnish might work although i am not sure whether it will adhere to the concrete