Fixing streaks in concrete sealer

[aCircle]

We've got a new place and the countertops were in sorry shape. It's taken a while for me to get the counter cleared, but yesterday I figured I'd give it a shot to touch up the countertops given that they were significantly stained in places.

I followed the directions on the Cheng sealer that the previous owners left and... holy cow. Streak city. I've finished all kinds of other projects, but never concrete. Maybe it was my fault? From reviewing other videos it also looks like very few folks recommend the process that's on the bottle of Cheng (ending with sealer at full strength) and instead do multiple coats of 3:1 dilution.

The good news is that it clearly needed sealing. Many of the water rings and marks have gone so at least it's better protected now. We just need to get that surface finish significantly upgraded.

Either way. Any suggestions on the best way to knock back these streaks? Think I could hit the top with an RO and 1,000 grit? Hand sand?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

Maybe buff some paste wax into it? It might be enough to cover and at least distract your eyes from noticing it, plus some added protection.

 

[aCircle]

Ok coming back here to provide the full story if anybody is looking later.

First, there were two issues with application. First: the sealer was old. Second: the directions on the bottle of Cheng sealer are not to be followed. This YouTube video from Concrete Exchange was the ticket. You just use a 3:1 dilution on sealer the whole time.

Secondarily, finishing with Cheng the wax and polish made a huge difference.

Removing the finish was the other trick. There are chemical products, but I didn't want to strip everything away and start totally fresh -- didn't have the time. Instead what I discovered was that a Rotex 150 with 200-300 grit paper worked well to soften and remove some finish and then a sharp scraper blade to follow on the shiny spots got just about everything up. I'd alternate between rotex a bunch off, scrape nips off the sandpaper with a plastic scraper, then scrape the counter with a fresh razor blade. That eventually got nearly all of it off. The attached photo shows that process in progress.

From there, follow the steps from the video, then wax, then polish. Mostly did the trick!