Abstract: Compositions that impart surfaces with glossy finishes include a silicate and an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.) and may also include a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, and/or an acrylic latex. The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. When the composition is applied to a flooring surface, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The composition imparts the surface with a glossy finish. A glossiness of the surface may be at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: Compositions that impart surfaces with glossy finishes include a silicate and an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.) and may also include a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, and/or an acrylic latex. The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. When the composition is applied to a flooring surface, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The composition imparts the surface with a glossy finish. A glossiness of the surface may be at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to the surface and, while the composition is present on the surface, providing the surface with a glossy finish (e.g., polishing the surface, burnishing the surface, etc.). The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include one or more of a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.), and an acrylic latex. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and providing the surface with a glossy finish may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of a substrate includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to the surface and, while the composition is present on the surface, providing the surface with a glossy finish (e.g., polishing the surface, burnishing the surface, etc.). The silicate may be a lithium silicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include one or more of a surfactant, a leveling agent, a silane coupling agent, an organic component (e.g., a siliconate, etc.), and an acrylic latex. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and providing the surface with a glossy finish may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of flooring includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing or burnishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing or burnishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems for prolonging the lives of transportation surfaces, including pavement, runways, bridges and parking structures include chemically protecting the transportation surfaces. Chemical protection may be accompanied by physical alteration of the transportation surface, which may enhance one or both of a microtexture and a macrotexture of the transportation surface.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents (e.g., alkali metal polysilicate, colloidal silica, etc.) and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents (e.g., a wax, etc.). Additionally, such a composition may include a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal siliconate like potassium methyl siliconate, etc.). The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete (e.g., evaporating, etc.) before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days (e.g., three days, seven days, 14 days, less than a month, etc.

Abstract: Methods, compositions and systems for prolonging the lives of transportation surfaces, including pavement, runways, bridges and parking structures include physically altering the transportation surface and chemically protecting the transportation surfaces. Physical alteration of a transportation surface may include physically altering one or both of a microtexture and a macrotexture of the transportation surface. Chemical protection of a transportation surface may include hardening and/or densifying the transportation surface. The transportation surface may be chemically protected while physically altering the transportation surface or after the transportation surface has been physically altered.

Abstract: A composition that may be used to retain moisture within fresh concrete as it cures to optimize the curing of the concrete may include one or more hardening and densifying agents and one or more temporary moisture sealing agents. Additionally such a composition may include a siliconate. The hardening and densifying agent of such a composition may penetrate the surface of fresh concrete to react with free lime, providing the fresh concrete with a strong surface. The temporary moisture sealing agent may form a moisture barrier on the surface of the fresh concrete to prevent moisture from escaping from the fresh concrete before the fresh concrete has sufficiently cured. The temporary moisture sealing agent may degrade within a matter of days, facilitating its removal from the surface of the concrete once the concrete has cured and enabling further treatment of the surface without undue delay.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of flooring includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing or burnishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing or burnishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness of at least 80, as measured by a gloss meter set to a 60° angle of incidence.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of inorganic flooring (e.g., concrete, terrazzo, or a ceramic) includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the inorganic flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the inorganic flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness that reflects at least about 80% of incident light when the incident light is directed toward the composition at an angle of 60° to the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which include wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica and, with silica on the surface, finishing the surface. The surface may be finished with a power trowel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating concrete, which includes the steps of wetting a surface of concrete with a colloidal silica; cutting the softened surface to provide a cut surface; and polishing the cut surface.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an organic substrate, such as VCT, wood, or a synthetic laminate material, includes a silicate (e.g., an alkali metal polysilicate or colloidal silica) and a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.). In addition, the composition may include acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Such a composition may also include a leveling agent, such as a surfactant. Organic substrates, such as VCT, wood, and synthetic laminate materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for treating a surface of inorganic flooring (e.g., concrete, terrazzo, or a ceramic) includes applying a composition that includes a silicate to a surface of the inorganic flooring and, while the composition is present on the surface, polishing the surface. The silicate may be a lithium polysilicate and/or a colloidal silica. The composition may further include a surfactant and/or a leveling agent. When the composition is applied to the surface of the inorganic flooring, gravity may enable it to spread substantially evenly across the surface. The acts of applying and polishing may be repeated. Such a treatment may result in a surface that has a glossiness that reflects at least about 80% of incident light when the incident light is directed toward the composition at an angle of 60° to the surface.

Abstract: A composition for hardening concrete that has a pH of less than 10, and may have a pH of 8 or less. Thus, the hardening composition may be free of or substantially free of alkaline materials. The hardening composition is water-based and includes silica particles and stabilizer, which may be present on portions of the surfaces of the silica particles. The stabilizer may be aluminum-based (e.g., it may comprise alumina, etc.). In use, the hardening composition is applied to the surface of concrete, either alone, with curing compounds, or as part of a polishing process. Any residue that remains on the treated surface may simply be swept, blown, or sprayed away.

Abstract: A composition for protecting a surface of an inorganic substrate, such as concrete, terrazzo, or ceramic tile, includes a silicate (i.e., an alkali metal polysilicate or a colloidal silica), a siliconate (e.g., a metal siliconate, such as an alkali metal methyl siliconate, etc.), acrylic latex, a silane coupling agent, and a solvent, such as ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Inorganic substrates, such as concrete, stone, and ceramic materials, with such a composition on their surfaces are also disclosed, as are methods for polishing and protecting inorganic substrates.