How Long Does It Take for Concrete Sealer to Dry? Updated Expert Answer for 2024!
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How Long Does It Take for Concrete Sealer to Dry?
In case you are planning to seal your garage floor, it is only natural to ask, how long does it take for concrete sealer to dry? It is an important question and here is the quick answer:
Concrete sealers take 1 – 2 hours to become touch dry. However, you must not drive or park on it for 24 – 48 hours after application of the final coat. However, you can walk on the freshly sealed concrete garage floor after 24 hours.
The drying time data of sealers curated from “Technical Data Sheet & Application Instructions” of Foundation Armor, a leading brand, is in the table below:
| Sealer Type | Touch Dry | Recoat Time | Foot Traffic | Wheel Traffic | Application Temp |
| Water Based Penetrating Sealer | 1 – 2 hrs | Wet on Wet | 12 – 24 hrs | 24 – 48 hrs | 45°F – 85°F |
| Water Based Topical Sealer | 1 – 2 hrs | 6 – 8 hrs | 24 hrs | 24 – 48 hrs | 45°F – 85°F |
| Solvent Based Penetrating Sealer | 1 – 2 hrs | 2 – 24 hrs | 12 – 24 hrs | 24 – 48 hrs | 45°F – 85°F |
| Solvent Based Topical Sealer | 1 – 2 hrs | 24 hrs | 24 hrs | 24 – 48 hrs | 45°F – 85°F |
Water Based Penetrating Sealer
Armor SX5000 Water-Based Silane-Siloxane Sealer
Water Based Penetrating Sealer
- Silane Siloxane Water Repellent
- Won’t change look or color of the Concrete
- Excellent sealer for unsealed garage floors
- Will reduce damage caused by snow and ice, road salts, environmental exposure, and staining
Water Based Topical Sealer
Armor WB25 Water Based High Gloss Acrylic Sealer
Water Based Topical Sealer
- Will enhance dull and faded surfaces with a high gloss finish
- Will reduce damage caused by water absorption and surface abrasion
- UV resistant, non-yellowing, breathable
Solvent Based Penetrating Sealer
Armor SX5000 Solvent-Based Silane Siloxane Sealer for Concrete
Solvent Based Penetrating Sealer
- Reduces surface water absorption by up to 95%
- Reduces damage caused by snow, ice, and de-icing salts
- Will last for up to 7-10 years
Solvent Based Topical Sealer
Armor AR500 Solvent Based Acrylic Wet Look Sealer
Solvent Based Topical Sealer
- Will enhance dull and faded surfaces with a high gloss wet look.
- Will reduce damage caused by surface abrasion, road salts, water absorption, and exposure to the elements.
- UV resistant, non-yellowing, breathable.
Can You Walk on a Freshly Sealed Garage Floor?
The best time to seal a new concrete garage floor is four weeks after pouring. Sealing should only be done after concrete has fully cured.
A freshly sealed concrete garage floor is dry to the touch in a couple of hours, but it is not ready to be walked upon yet. You will leave footprints & scratches on the surface if you walked on it earlier than 12 – 24 hours after sealing.
Sealers, paints and coatings become touch dry pretty fast but take some time before they become hard dry. Any pressure on a sealer coat which is not yet hard dry will leave indentation marks. Sand & grit in footwear will also scratch the surface.
The glossy finish will be marred.
When Can I Drive on It?
It is best to wait for at least 48 hours before you drive or park on a freshly sealed concrete garage floor. Cars typically weigh upwards of 8000 lbs and will deform the sealer film.
Your garage floor will be ready for foot traffic, 24 hours after the final sealer coat application. However, it may still not be ready for vehicular traffic.
If the ambient temperature has been low, wait for 72 hours rather than 48 hours before you drive in to the garage.
Better to err on the side of caution!
Will High Humidity Hurt the Newly Sealed Floor?
Plan garage floor sealer application on relatively dry days with low humidity. High humidity is likely to delay the sealer curing and keep the film softer for longer. A soft sealer film is more prone to mechanical damages.
You should be very mindful of the current and forecasted weather conditions when planning sealer application. The concrete must be dry (moisture content less than 6%) for good adhesion.
Plan the concrete sealer project for a cool but sunny day with no rain forecasted for the next 24 – 48 hours.
How Many Coats of Concrete Sealer Should I Use?
Always apply 2 coats of sealer on concrete floors. A significant part of the first coat gets absorbed by the unsealed concrete resulting in a non-uniform and patchy sealer film.
Only by the application of the second coat, a uniform and thick enough sealer film is formed. Adequate topical sealer film thickness is required to withstand the abrasive effect of car tires.
Please follow the recoat interval specified on the product label or data sheet for best inter-coat adhesion and film thickness.
You may want to check out my earlier blog post 9 Great Reasons Why You Should Seal Your Garage Floor! for more information.
Thank you very much for reading the post. I do hope you found it informative and useful.
