Hydrocryl™ is a professional-grade, water-based acrylic concrete sealer built on advanced polymer technology that delivers chemical resistance and durability approaching polyurethane-grade performance — in a low-VOC, low-odor, water-based formulation safe for indoor use and occupied spaces.

Most water-based concrete sealers are built on commodity acrylic resins that sacrifice durability to keep the price low. They protect concrete adequately in light-duty situations but break down when exposed to automotive fluids, harsh cleaning chemicals, heavy foot traffic, and the kind of real-world abuse that concrete floors, garage slabs, and commercial surfaces actually face. The result is a sealer that works for a year or two and then needs to be stripped and reapplied.

Direct Colors took a different approach with Hydrocryl™. Instead of building around a commodity resin and competing on price, Direct Colors invested in an industrial-grade acrylic polymer system engineered for chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, and long-term durability — the same class of resin technology used in industrial floor coatings and commercial protective finishes. The result is a water-based concrete sealer that resists household chemicals, automotive fluids (motor oil, gasoline, brake fluid, transmission fluid), cleaning products (ammonia, glass cleaner, all-purpose cleaners), and alcohol-based sanitizers at levels that approach what solvent-based sealers deliver — and in some cases match or exceed them.

This is what "closing the gap between water-based and solvent-based" actually means. Not marketing language — real chemical resistance performance built into the resin chemistry.

Hydrocryl™ costs more than a commodity water-based sealer because the raw materials cost more. The trade-off is a water-based sealer that actually performs under real-world conditions instead of failing the first time someone drips motor oil on a garage floor or cleans a restaurant floor with ammonia.

Why Hydrocryl™ Performs Like a Solvent-Based Sealer

The performance gap between water-based and solvent-based concrete sealers has been the accepted trade-off in the industry for decades. Contractors chose solvent-based sealers for demanding applications because they were simply harder, more durable, and more chemically resistant. Water-based sealers were the compromise for projects that needed low VOC or indoor safety — adequate protection, but not the same tier of performance.

Hydrocryl™ was formulated to challenge that trade-off. The advanced acrylic polymer at the core of Hydrocryl™ was specifically selected
for its exceptional resistance to the chemicals and fluids that concrete surfaces actually encounter in daily use:

Household and commercial cleaning chemicals — Ammonia-based cleaners, glass cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and the industrial degreasers used on commercial concrete floors. Hydrocryl™ resists these without softening, hazing, or breaking down — which means the sealed surface can be cleaned aggressively without damaging the finish.

Automotive fluids — Motor oil, gasoline, brake fluid, and transmission fluid. These are the substances that destroy standard water-based sealers on garage floors and driveways. Hydrocryl™ resists automotive fluid exposure at levels that match or approach solvent-based sealer performance — a meaningful upgrade for garage floors, workshops, and any concrete surface near vehicles.

Alcohol-based products — Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol), hand sanitizer, and alcohol-based cleaning solutions. These are increasingly common on commercial floors, healthcare facilities, and restaurant surfaces. Standard water-based sealers soften and haze when exposed to alcohol; Hydrocryl™ resists it.

Food and beverage acids — Vinegar, citrus, wine, and the mild acids found in food preparation environments. Hydrocryl™ protects restaurant floors, commercial kitchen surfaces, and residential kitchen concrete from acid-based damage.

This chemical resistance profile is what separates Hydrocryl™ from every commodity water-based concrete sealer on the market. Direct Colors made the deliberate decision to invest in industrial-grade polymer technology rather than compete on price with the hardware-store brands. The result is a water-based sealer that contractors can specify with confidence on projects where they previously would have defaulted to solvent-based — knowing that the protection will hold up under the same conditions.

Why Customers Choose Water-Based Over Solvent-Based Sealer

Choose water-based sealer when:

• The project is indoor or in an occupied space
• Low-VOC compliance is required (LEED, healthcare, schools, government)
• HOA or municipal restrictions prohibit solvent-based products
• Sensitivity to solvent fumes is a concern
• Pets, children, or chemically-sensitive occupants are present
• Environmental compliance or preference matters
• You want easy water cleanup of tools and overspray

Choose a solvent-based sealer when:

• Maximum exterior durability is the top priority (high-traffic driveways, commercial exteriors)
• The project is entirely outdoor with no ventilation concerns
• You want the deepest possible color enhancement and wet-look finish
• Cold climate freeze/thaw performance matters most

And with Hydrocryl™ 's advanced formulation, you're no longer giving up performance to get those benefits. Traditional water-based sealers required accepting lower chemical resistance and shorter lifespan as the trade-off for low VOC and indoor safety. Hydrocryl™  closes that gap. The chemical resistance and
durability are built into the polymer — so you get water-based convenience and safety with performance that approaches what solvent-based sealers deliver. For most residential and commercial applications, Hydrocryl™  is no longer a compromise — it's the right
choice on its own merits.

How to Use Hydrocryl™  Acrylic Concrete Sealer

1. Confirm the concrete surface is clean, dry, and ready for sealing. Free of dirt, oils, contamination, and loose material. If you've just stained the concrete, make sure the stain is fully cured per the stain product's instructions before sealing.
2. Apply the first coat of Hydrocryl™  with a plastic pump sprayer, foam brush, or low-nap roller. Work in manageable sections, applying an even, thin coat across the entire surface. Avoid puddling or pooling.
3. Allow the first coat to dry for 30-40 hours depending on temperature and humidity.
4. Apply the second coat. Two coats are recommended for full protection and the best finished appearance.
5. Allow to cure fully. Hydrocryl™  typically dries to the touch 30-45 minutes per coat and reaches full cure in 24 hours. Light foot traffic is acceptable after 24 hours; full vehicle traffic should wait 48-72 hours.

Optional for interior floors: Apply ProWax Polish™ over the fully
cured Hydrocryl™

Direct Colors: Made in the USA Since 1997

Direct Colors has manufactured professional-grade concrete
sealers in the USA for over 25 years. Hydrocryl™  represents a deliberate investment in industrial-grade polymer technology — Direct Colors chose to sacrifice margin on the raw materials rather than sacrifice performance for the customer. The result is the only water-based acrylic concrete sealer on the market that approaches polyurethane-grade chemical resistance while maintaining the
low-VOC, low-odor, indoor-safe formulation that water-based sealers are chosen for. Not a commodity sealer built to hit a price point — a professional-grade product built to perform.