The application of liquid glass: Easier than you think!
A do-it-yourself sealant for everyone
Professional liquid glass sealing can be applied to almost any surface. Materials such as stone, glass, metal, plastic, wood – even textiles come into consideration for this.
With a professional high-tech product, one usually expects quite cumbersome and demanding instructions to achieve the desired result. But the liquid glass sealant is an extremely user-friendly product and therefore also very suitable for private use.
Every surface to be sealed is different
Different materials have different requirements. The development of liquid glass as an effective sealant has been adapted and optimized for all applicable materials.
For absorbent and soft substrates such as stone or wood, the sealant must be able to penetrate sufficiently so that it can then cross-link on the surface during curing to form a permanently protective layer. The impregnation, which extends up to 25 mm into the material, reliably prevents water from penetrating and causing damage. It rolls off the surface.
Non-absorbent/hard elements do not absorb the liquid glass sealant – here it adheres reliably to the surface and reliably protects the treated object from external influences. Thus, the application of liquid glass differs somewhat depending on the material, as the respective material properties must be taken into account.
How do I use liquid glass?
Pre-cleaning determines the later result
In order to achieve a perfect result and to enjoy the sealing of your things like car, terrace or windows for as long as possible, it is essential to carefully work through the application instructions of the liquid glass products.
In principle, the general approach is consistent:
At the beginning of every sealing process there is always the pre-cleaning. Only an absolutely clean surface can be coated well. This process should preferably be carried out with appropriate cleaners that have been specially developed to remove residues such as dirt, dust or grease and oil without leaving any residue. We recommend repeating the pre-cleaning to be on the safe side and finishing with the application of pure ethanol, as this reliably dissolves grease compounds.
How is liquid glass applied?
Once the substrate is absolutely clean, the application of the liquid glass begins. It can be sprayed on many materials – this applies to all types of stone and absorbent surfaces in general, for example, as rubbing it in is not possible or only possible with difficulty. If the shape and weight of the stone allow it, it can also be immersed in the liquid glass, which makes it possible to cover the entire surface quickly and easily.
When spraying, the liquid glass is already absorbed up to 25mm deep into the stone. Therefore, care must be taken that a sufficient quantity is sprayed on so that the SiO2 molecules of the sealant can cross-link without gaps at the surface. This is the only way to create a reliable protective layer with the popular lotus effect.
Some smooth surfaces need to be rubbed with the sealer using a soft cloth – cars and shower stalls, among others, require this fine work. Basically, the greatest care is required to achieve the best possible result.
Sealing must harden
Once this work is completed, the liquid glass must harden for a few hours. 12-24 hours are required depending on the surface. Make sure that this process is not affected by rain or premature loading of the material. Patience and care are rewarded, because after the necessary time has elapsed, the surface can be loaded as usual and will withstand external influences such as dirt and weather in the future.
In the following video you can see the protective effect of liquid glass very well on the example of stone and concrete:
The sealed result
Where before the treatment with the sealing product expensive, environmentally harmful cleaners were still needed and often a not inconsiderable expenditure of time was necessary, in order to clean fastidious surfaces, now mostly clear water and if necessary a microfiber cloth are sufficient – a sealed car profits so for example from a rain shower.