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Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2018 11:41 pm
by Salv
Hi guys, I've had Indian sandstone patio/paving outside for the last 10yrs or so and have periodically sealed it over the years using different sealers and impregnators to try and prevent staining. Despite its age it still looks pretty good after a jet wash.
However even with my best efforts, in between applications when the product starts wearing off it's accumulated a few oil marks here and there, mainly from a combo of BBQs and kids.
Looking over these stains recently a thought struck me, could I not just use some sort of oil to impregnate/seal the slabs to 'avoid' further staining?
Stay with me here while I explain my rationale. Once oil or grease get on the slabs it tends to darken the colour, which I don't actually mind, it's more the contrast of matt stone with oil stain on that bugs me, which got me thinking if the whole slab is coated in oil, one, it would act as a barrier, and two, you wouldn't notice any new stains as much, possibly?
I'm thinking something along the lines of a mineral oil or linseed oil. I tried googling to see if anyone else has tried this but results tend to speak about slate and granite.
So I suppose what I would like to hear is if anybody has any experience with this? Any suggestions or comments? (other than I'm nuts) 
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:20 am
by lutonlagerlout
sealants are a combination of plant or fossil fuel based oils,I know most wood sealers are a combination of plant oils
give it a crack if you are happy if it goes wonky
LLL
Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2018 6:36 am
by mike builder/landscaper
You could try it on an area that’s out of the way first,,then leave it a couple of days to see how it dry’s/looks. Take some pictures n let’s see how you get on.
Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2018 6:45 am
by RAPressureWashing
No, stick with a paving sealer designed for the job. If after ex amount of years, and you have been using different sealers etc, then really it is going to need to be stripped back and re-sealed using an impregnating sealer.
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 4:34 pm
by Salv
Hi R&A Pressure Washing, you obviously have more knowledge on this than me so just wondering what your reasons are for advising against it?
I have some slabs leftover tucked down the side of the garage, was going to pressure wash them and try a few different oils out on those and see how it turns out (they've never been treated with anything).
Failing that, do you have any recommendations for a long-lasting impregnating sealer?
I find that the stuff I use (resiblock), by the second year it's pretty much worn off and for the price you pay I really would expect it to last longer (2 coats).
I can't see that it would need stripping back to be honest as it's pretty much just bare stone all over. The only places I can see any remains of it are where it's pooled in a shallow area - the slabs are rough hewn/textured finish, not flat polished.
Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 5:46 pm
by RAPressureWashing
Yes I do have experience with natural stone cleaning & sealing, The reason you do a strip after using any previous sealer as there might not be any left on the surface but will be in the capillaries, and this could & can cause a fail of the new sealer, preparation is everything. 2 Years is about right for the Resiblock sealer before cleaning and topping up the sealer, 18 months-2 years is about right for most impregnating sealers even the expensive ones.
Linseed oil will go black very quickly, as I said in previous reply stick to a sealer made for natural stone preferably an impregnating sealer.
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2018 9:24 am
by ResiblockBoss
Hi Salv
Resiblock Indian Sandstone Enhancer (a sealer) will last 3-5 years.
Resiblock Indian Sandstone Invisible (an impregnator) will last 1-2 years
If you have an experience other than that - something is amiss. In which case PM me with your phone number and address and I will get one of my team to investigate the matter immediately.
Craig
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:43 pm
by Salv
R&A Pressure Washing wrote:Yes I do have experience with natural stone cleaning & sealing, The reason you do a strip after using any previous sealer as there might not be any left on the surface but will be in the capillaries, and this could & can cause a fail of the new sealer, preparation is everything. 2 Years is about right for the Resiblock sealer before cleaning and topping up the sealer, 18 months-2 years is about right for most impregnating sealers even the expensive ones.
Linseed oil will go black very quickly, as I said in previous reply stick to a sealer made for natural stone preferably an impregnating sealer.
Hey R&A, thanks for getting back to me, your shared knowledge much appreciated. Maybe my expectations of the sealer were a bit ambitious.
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 11:59 pm
by Salv
ResiblockBoss wrote:Hi Salv
Resiblock Indian Sandstone Enhancer (a sealer) will last 3-5 years.
Resiblock Indian Sandstone Invisible (an impregnator) will last 1-2 years
If you have an experience other than that - something is amiss. In which case PM me with your phone number and address and I will get one of my team to investigate the matter immediately.
Craig
Hi Craig,
Thanks for reaching out.
I've been using the Invisible impregnator and although you mention it lasting 1-2 years, which having just checked my records, it's lasted just about a year, having coated it approx this time last year.
Having just revisited the site, (https://www.resiblock.com/product/india ... invisible/) the product page does state it will last up to 5 years with a single coat. Given that I'm using it for it's intended application I think it's falling a bit short of the mark.
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2018 7:25 am
by ResiblockBoss
And if that indeed transpires to be the case - I would concur. I will repeat my suggested course of action, to PM me with your details and I will then get one of my team to immediately investigate the matter.
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2018 10:22 am
by Salv
thanks Craig, done