Project Scheduling and Drying Times

Project Scheduling and Drying Times

Whether doing your project yourself or having it professionally done

it is important that you consider the scheduling of the project before beginning.

Concrete preparation and staining

Here's an example project to get an idea of approximate application and drying times for scheduling. Including advice for new construction projects. Based on 2 people working together on a 1000 square foot project with an average daytime temp of 75 degrees F. Starting with new or in good shape concrete needing just basic cleaning.

πŸ’‘ TIP: Drying times will vary, depending on temperature and humidity.
Warmer and/or less humidity reduces drying times as where colder and/or higher humidity increases drying times.

🧹
Clean & Prep ΒΌ - 1 day
β†’ Clean & Prep totally depends on the condition of the concrete. Clean well and allow to dry.
Clean & Prep- about 1/4 day to 1 day
⏳
Drying time 1 - 3 hours
β†’ Drying time- about 1 - 3 hours
🎨
Applying Stain about 1 hour
β†’ Concrete Staining would be done the same day as clean & prep after it has dried. Apply the stain and allow to dry overnight and up to 24 hours.
Applying Stain- about 1 hour each coat
⏳
Drying time (final coat) 4h - overnight - 24h
β†’ Drying time(final coat)- 4 hours minimum to overnight to 24 hours.
final dry: 4h min, overnight recommended
πŸ• estimated total for selected day ~12 - 52 hrs
🧹
Clean & Prep ΒΌ - 1 day
β†’ Clean & Prep totally depends on the condition of the concrete. Clean well and allow to dry.
Clean & Prep- about 1/4 day to 1 day
⏳
Drying time 1 - 3 hours
β†’ Drying time- about 1 - 3 hours
🎨
First coat about 1 hour
β†’ If you are doing two coats then you would apply the first coat and allow to completely dry, usually an hour or two.
Applying Stain- about 1 hour each coat
⏳
Drying time (between coats) 1 - 4 hours
β†’ Drying time(between coats)- about 1 - 4 hours
🎨
Second coat about 1 hour
β†’ Then you would apply second coat and allow to dry overnight and up to 24 hours.
⏳
Drying time (final coat) 4h - overnight - 24h
β†’ Drying time(final coat)- 4 hours minimum to overnight to 24 hours.
πŸ• estimated total for selected day ~14 - 57 hrs
πŸ’§
Neutralizing & Cleaning Residue ΒΌ - Β½ day
β†’ Neutralizing and Cleaning the Residue from the Acid Stain will take one neutralizing and rinsing twice. Allow to completely dry for Clear Shield water base sealers. Allow to dry to be bone dry, for Solvent Base sealers.
Cleaning residue- about 1/4 to 1/2 day
⏳
Drying time 1 - 4h (or overnight to 24h)
β†’ Drying time- usually 1 - 4 hours. Overnight to 24 hours for bone dry.
depends on sealer type
πŸ• estimated total for selected day ~7 - 36 hrs
πŸ›‘οΈ
First coat sealer about 1 hour
β†’ Sealing the Concrete with Clear Shield Sealer will take two very thin and even coats. Apply the first thin coat. Allow to dry until completely clear and no longer sticky. Usually an hour or two.
Applying Sealer- about 1 hour each coat
⏳
Dry between coats 1 - 3 hours
β†’ Drying time(between coats)- about 1 - 3 hours
πŸ›‘οΈ
Second coat sealer about 1 hour
β†’ Once the first coat is completely clear and you can walk on it, apply the second thin and even coat.
⏳
Final dry / cure 10h - 24h+ (cure 48-72h best)
β†’ Drying time(final coat)- 10 hours minimum to 24 hours or more in colder weather or more humid weather. Allowing to cure 48 to 72 hours is best, especially in cooler weather.
If exterior β†’ complete. If interior β†’ wax after cure.
πŸ• estimated total for selected day ~13 - 72+ hrs
πŸ›‘οΈ
First coat wax about Β½ hour
β†’ Waxing the Concrete with Top Shield mop on Floor Wax will take two very thin and even coats. Apply first thin coat and allow to dry completely clear.
Apply Wax - about 1/2 hour each coat
⏳
Dry between coats Β½ - 1 hour
β†’ Drying time(between coats)- about 1/2 - 1 hour
πŸ›‘οΈ
Second coat wax about Β½ hour
β†’ Once you can walk on it, apply the second thin coat.
⏳
Final dry Β½ - 1h (overnight better)
β†’ Drying time(final coat)- about 1/2 - 1 hour, though overnight is better.
interior project only
πŸ• estimated total for selected day ~2 - 12 hrs
⚠️ Solvent Base Sealer Warning

If you are going to use a Solvent base sealer, and are doing a project where someone sleeps and may be affected by the sealer or other fumes during ventilation, staying overnight elsewhere is advisable. Otherwise a water base sealer should be used to avoid the build up and toxic effects associated with solvents.

New Construction Projects - Interior

Wait until the dry in stage, (when everything is framed in and roofed but no sheet rock is up yet.)

When using Clear Shield Water Base Sealer:

Stain, Seal, Wax.

Then cover the floor for protection and finish out the construction.

Once complete you can then uncover the floor, clean well, and apply a fresh coat of wax. If the floor is too bad, you may to strip the top of layer of wax and then apply a fresh coat.

When using a Solvent Base Sealer:

Stain the concrete and apply one coat of sealer. Then cover the floor for protection and finish out the construction.

Once complete you can then uncover the floor, clean well, and apply the second coat of sealer.

Allow the sealer to cure with no traffic for a couple days, and then wearing socks only, apply the wax and allow to dry overnight.