Concrete pool slide

[SpacemanSpiff]

Hi all,
What an amazing forum love reading all the info and learning about my new (to me) pool. First time pool owner and have another question.
I have a concrete slide and I need to seal it (re-gloss it). I talked to the previous home owners who installed it and asked what they have done in the past (they said they have never done anything with it)
I have read people using regular concrete sealer (I. E. From home Depot /Lowe's) but question is...
Does it matter if it is solvent or water base since they haven't sealed it before (other than what builder did)
Top of slide looking down... Sorry phone was sideways

Bottom of slide

Close up of bottom of slide

Overall view

 

[Thasista]

I don’t have a clue what to recommend but your pool is gorgeous!

 

[Protlost]

That looks awesome! No idea on the slide though.

 

[bdavis466]

You'll want water based sealer.

It would be good to know what was originally used since most slides get coated in epoxy and some just get painted.

 

[Pwareing]

Sodium Silicate liquid is good to seal any porous stone or concrete materials. You begin by mixing it with water (1 part s/s 4 parts h2o) for the first coat then reduce the water for the next coat and so on and so on....... You can end up with a matt finish or if you keep going a glossy finish. Probably glossy is better for a slide?
I think they used to call in "water glass" back in the day ;D
Peter

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Yeah I asked them and they have no idea what was done.... I was thinking of using a water based sealer and hoping for the best. Maybe a small test spot first?

 

[Ted527]

Can you find out who builder was and contact them?

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

I thought about it... It was done in 2001 so 17 years ago... I have some water base sealer I ordered and going to try... I'll post pics of it... (zero or hero)

 

[Aquaman7]

Hi Spaceman,
How did the water base sealer work?