Once your natural stone paving is laid, the job isn’t finished until it’s sealed. Bluestone, granite, limestone, sandstone and terracotta are all porous — left untreated, they absorb oil, wine, tannin and grime permanently. The right sealer keeps the stone looking and performing the way it should.

BuildMart stocks three purpose-built sealers for outdoor natural stone. Two are penetrating (impregnating) sealers that protect from within without changing the stone’s look. One is a topical acrylic coating that adds a glossy “wet look” finish. Here’s how they compare.

Pristine-WB Water Base Penetrating Sealer

Pristine-WB Water Base Penetrating Sealer

Penetrating · Water-Based

A ready-to-use, water and oil-repellent impregnating sealer. Low odour and easy to apply, it’s recommended for bluestone and suits most porous natural stone and concrete pavers.

  • Preserves the stone’s natural finish — virtually invisible once cured
  • Low-VOC water carrier, safe for occupied residential sites
  • Suits terracotta, slate, granite, limestone, sandstone, travertine & concrete

Pristine Natural Sealer

Pristine Natural Sealer

Penetrating · Solvent-Based

A solvent-based penetrating sealer built on a durable resin blend. It penetrates deeper into dense or tightly-grained stone than a water-based product, with minimal change to appearance.

  • Deeper penetration — ideal for high-absorbency, hard-to-clean stone
  • Particularly effective on terracotta
  • Long-term resistance to water and oil-borne staining

Silacryl Wet Look Sealer

Silacryl Wet Look Sealer

Topical · High-Gloss Finish

A high-solids, solvent-based acrylic sealer that sits on the surface rather than soaking in. It darkens and enriches the stone’s natural colour with a durable, UV-resistant gloss film — the classic “wet look.”

  • Dramatic wet-look gloss, best on slate and patterned stone
  • Forms a tough barrier against oil, dirt, grease & moisture
  • UV and weather resistant — won’t yellow or fade under sun

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature Pristine-WB Pristine-SB Silacryl Wet Look
Type Penetrating Penetrating Topical / film-forming
Carrier Water-based Solvent-based Solvent-based
Finish Natural, invisible Natural, invisible Glossy “wet look”
Best for Bluestone, general porous stone Terracotta, high-absorbency stone Slate, feature areas wanting gloss
Price range $60 – $910 $75 – $1,000 $39 – $425

Quick guide:

  • Want the stone to look untouched? Choose Pristine-WB for general porous stone, or Pristine-SB for extra-porous stone like terracotta.
  • Want a richer, glossy, just-hosed-down look? Choose Silacryl.

Before You Seal

  • Let new mortar, adhesive and grout fully cure first — typically 7–28 days, per the manufacturer’s guide
  • Make sure the stone is clean, dry, and free of efflorescence or grout haze
  • Test on an offcut first, especially with Silacryl, to confirm the finished look
  • Keep the area free of traffic until the sealer has fully cured

Final Thoughts

Pristine-WB and Pristine both protect while keeping the stone’s natural character intact — the choice between them comes down to carrier type and how porous the stone is. Silacryl takes the opposite approach, trading invisibility for a durable, high-gloss finish that intensifies the stone’s colour. Talk to the BuildMart team about your stone type and the look you’re after, and we’ll help confirm the right sealer and coverage.

Shop Sealers →Request a Quote →

This article is provided for general guidance. Always confirm application rates, cure times and compatibility with your specific stone and setting system against the current product technical data sheet.

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