[Stonehenge]

Maybe you should mail a small baggie of that over to me and I can test it against the same stuff here (we use the same brand).

[letsgetstoned]

I'll keep your offer in mind. How about sending me your email address so I can send you some hi-res pics of the problems.

Jerry

[cwlo]

I am a small operator, but used a few bags of a now forgotten brand of polymeric, and then went to unilock's polymeric. Unilocks polymeric was disappointing to say the least. The sand is too fine, making it very hard to get completely off, and the poly binder was not as noticeable. The other brand almost had a consistency like brown sugar in that it sort of clumped together. It had no problem going into the joints, and there was no residue left on top of the bricks. I will have to find the brand for everyone, as it was far superior.

Chris

[letsgetstoned]

Originally posted by cwlo
I am a small operator, but used a few bags of a now forgotten brand of polymeric, and then went to unilock's polymeric. Unilocks polymeric was disappointing to say the least. The sand is too fine, making it very hard to get completely off, and the poly binder was not as noticeable. The other brand almost had a consistency like brown sugar in that it sort of clumped together. It had no problem going into the joints, and there was no residue left on top of the bricks. I will have to find the brand for everyone, as it was far superior.

Chris

Could it have been the StoneMason brand?

[cwlo]

The brand is Alliance "Super Sand". They have a website at
www.alliancedp.com

Chris

[Stonehenge]

Originally posted by letsgetstoned
Could it have been the StoneMason brand?

The Stone Mason brand sealer I found to be far inferior to just about anything else on the market (and a price to match), so I would doubt they would offer a really good poly sand.

[AZTLANLC]

I use unilock polymeric sand most of the times, and I have to say that is coarser to any other brands I have used.
I don't have a special trick to apply it but I never get probles like the ones stated in here, if there is any water on the surface of it sure will stick to it, make sure the pavers are completly dry.

[letsgetstoned]

Have you used the "gray" Unilok (Techni-seal) version? It's important to note that the 'ghosting' I am getting is with the gray material, not the tan. It happens where the product is poured out on the pavers where you begin sweeping. There appears to be a fine dust that settles out first, then when it is misted, leaves a smokey look on those particular pavers. I tried to remove it with phosphoric acid yesterday, but there is still some discoloration left. I will try hydrochloric next time I'm in the mood. I cannot seal the driveway until I get rid of the problem...might even have to wait til next summer.

[4seasons]

I got it from the tan--
It could be like what Aztlan said for me though. we washed the flag off and it looked completely dry(2-3hrs in 90plus heat)
maybe in the pores it had some. Never happened with pavers.

[AZTLANLC]

I have used the tan and gray, plus also they have a even coarser version for wider joints, to be used with the new stone they have, (curstone) no problem with that one too.

[Keith N]

Originally posted by letsgetstoned
Have you used the "gray" Unilok (Techni-seal) version? It's important to note that the 'ghosting' I am getting is with the gray material, not the tan. It happens where the product is poured out on the pavers where you begin sweeping. There appears to be a fine dust that settles out first, then when it is misted, leaves a smokey look on those particular pavers. I tried to remove it with phosphoric acid yesterday, but there is still some discoloration left. I will try hydrochloric next time I'm in the mood. I cannot seal the driveway until I get rid of the problem...might even have to wait til next summer.

I just started using the techni-seal HP stuff and I love it. It has only been a couple of months since I started using it though.

I would use a piece of plywood or cardboard to pour it onto, than sweep off of that to rid the stainng. It's just a suggestion.

The price isn't bad with small joints, but tumbled joints get expensive!

[letsgetstoned]

Originally posted by Keith N
I just started using the techni-seal HP stuff and I love it. It has only been a couple of months since I started using it though.

I would use a piece of plywood or cardboard to pour it onto, than sweep off of that to rid the stainng. It's just a suggestion.

The price isn't bad with small joints, but tumbled joints get expensive!

Yes, that is a good idea...wish I had known about the problem sooner...would have saved me a lot of grief. Yes, I bought 4 bags for about $65 from Unilock to use on the tumbled brussels driveway. BTW, dilute HCl (4:1 by volume) does a good job of removing it, if you ever run into this problem.

[Keith N]

4 bags for $65 is cheap. Techni-seal RG is $25 a bag and HP stuff is $35 a bag.

[letsgetstoned]

Wow, that's very interesting. I was told that Unilock just puts their name on the bag of Techni-seal product! Notice the only colors available from either company are tan and gray I don't think it's a co-incidence.

[dman]

I have a fair bit of dealing with the stabilizer sand industry, so I figured I'd share what I know.

Alliance Designer Products is one manufacturer - they make the Alliance DP branded sand as well as re-bag their product for EP Henry, Techo-Bloc, and Nickolock. They had some serious issues with their early batches, with the sand never hardening up and washing out, but they've been great about fixing their problems. Every dealer and contractor I've talked to with problems has all their jobs fixed. The company sends a work crew out to wash out and reinstall the sand in any jobs that its failed. They have had no problems whatsoever with their latest mix design. if any of you have bad sand, the contact is Bob Filteu, with Alliance Designer Products, 514-942-2562.

The Techniseal HP is also a great product, but Unilock's claim to be rebagging Techniseal under their own brand is a bunch of bull. I have looked at both products side by side, and used them side by side, and they are most definately different products. The Techniseal being a superior product and the Unilock being sub-par. The Unilock has failed on several occassions and the company will not warranty their product.


All in all, these products are the wave of the future. I would personally recommend using the Alliance DP or the Techniseal and stay away from the cheaper knock offs.