Which Curing Compound Do I Need?
If anything will be glued, coated or polished on the slab later, use a dissipating compound or a curing method that leaves nothing behind. For colored or decorative work, use a clear cure and seal. Otherwise choose by location and the spec.
Answer three questions
Answer the questions to see a recommendation.
Our pick
Wet cure, or a dissipating resin curing compound
ASTM C309 Type 1 or 1-D
Anything left on the slab can stop flooring adhesive or coatings from bonding. Wet curing leaves nothing behind. A dissipating resin breaks down, but indoors it gets little sunlight, so plan to verify the surface before flooring.
- Water drop test before flooring
- 72-hour bond test with the actual flooring adhesive
Our pick
Dissipating resin curing compound
ASTM C309 Type 1 or 1-D
Sunlight and weather help a dissipating resin break down before the finish goes on. Apply at the data sheet rate; heavy coats dissipate slowly.
Read: DissipatingOur pick
Non-yellowing acrylic cure and seal
ASTM C1315 Type I Class A
Class A means non-yellowing, which matters on colored and stamped work. It cures the slab and leaves a sealed finish.
Read: Best for driveways and stampedOur pick
Water-based cure and seal (low VOC)
ASTM C1315 or C309
Water-based products keep odor down in enclosed spaces. Solvent-based cure and seal is not recommended indoors.
Read: Cure and sealOur pick
Cure and seal, or white pigmented for large paving in sun
ASTM C1315, or C309 Type 2
Cure and seal suits driveways, walks and patios. For large paving in full sun, a white pigmented compound reflects heat and keeps the surface cooler.
Read: Cure and sealHow the chooser decides
The first question matters most. Curing compound left on a slab can stop flooring adhesives, coatings and polish from bonding, so any slab that will get a finish later is steered to a product made to dissipate or to be removed.
- Flooring later: dissipating resin, or a non-membrane cure such as wet curing.
- Decorative or colored: a clear cure and seal that also protects the surface.
- Plain slab: pick by location, exposure and what the spec or inspector requires.