Protec III: Original
The Only Chemical Concrete Cure and Densifier That Also Works as a High-Performance Finishing Aid.
A Practical Curing System:
Protec III: Original is the preferred method when water curing or when specific coatings are required later, as the whole surface gets treated immediately after finishing and other coatings can be applied directly onto it, with no stripping or removal required before applying.
The project’s contractor for concrete finishing applies Protec III: Original immediately after finishing the concrete surface.
This gets you a concrete cure applied the same day as placement, meaning no delays, and the best possible curing results without a sealer.
Compatibility:
Once Protec III: Original dries, it becomes part of the concrete, so no removal is required before the application of other coatings, paints, or flooring.
Installation:
Protec III: Original does not require certified installers.Concrete finishers can how learn to use it in minutes, and the full two-coat application is fast and easy, completed before saw cutting starts.
What it is:
Protec III: Original is a water-based silica-type concrete treatment that is used to cure and densify new concrete.
It is applied immediately after the placing and finishing of concrete has completed, or sometimes right before the finishing starts (when used as a finishing aid on windy outdoor pours).
After applying, Protec III: Original absorbs and reacts with the calcium hydroxide (free lime) in the concrete and forms additional calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) to improve surface curing and densify the concrete.
Through this reaction the product maintains hydration and adds dustproofing and hardness to the concrete.
This product gives you a reliable and easy way to apply your concrete cure and densifier day 1.
A Natural Color and Finish:
Protec III: Original is a clear chemical cure and will not change the natural appearance of concrete.
On smooth steel-trowelled concrete surfaces a natural shine will appear between 6-12 months after treatment. This can be accelerated by burnishing the surface after 30 days.
This shine development is caused by the hardening and densifying effects of Protec III: Original combined with the burnishing from cleaning and normal use of the floor.
A routine cleaning schedule using non-abrasive scrubbing pads can also accelerate and enhance shine development.
Protec III: Original gives you a dust-proofed surface that stays natural looking and low maintenance.
Speed:
Protec III: Original is an excellent alternative to water curing and membrane forming cures. It is less expensive and keeps commercial projects moving quickly due to its unique same-day application process. Meaning no extra steps after the product application.
Projects can resume after the product has dried,usually lining up perfectly with next day saw cuts.
Recommended Coats:
As a Cure: 1 coat.
As a Cure + Hardener: 2 coats (recommended).
For More Chemical Resistance: 3 coats.
Apply 2-3 coats to high traffic areas, or floors exposed to constant abrasion.
Because absorption and wear varies across a slab, using extra product on areas such as entrances, loading bay doors, and saw cuts is recommended.
Maintenance costs can be applied when needed after proper cleaning if following a maintenance schedule. – Use our existing concrete data sheet.
Why Protec III: Original was made:
Protec III: Original was created in 1999 to solve the common issues faced when using Sodium Silicates such as:
1. Poor product penetration.
2. Requiring a labor intensive process to install the product.
3. Requiring scrubbing and wetting with water to get the product into the concrete surface.
4. Contractors need to remove product that did not absorb into the concrete, then dispose of that hazardous waste.
The effectiveness of liquid hardeners rely on their ability to absorb and chemically react with the minerals in concrete, and that is where Protec III: Original directly outperforms Sodium Silicates.
Dust Reduction:
Floors that need dust-proofing can use Protec III: Original as a densifier before burnishing to get immediate dust reduction benefits, such as better air quality, lower maintenance, and an improved shine on the floor.
FAQ: Is this product a sealer?
No, the product will not seal the concrete.
Protec III: Original cures without sealing the surface.
FAQ: Why not a membrane forming cure?
If a coating leaves a surface membrane, any flooring adhesives will bond to that membrane—not the concrete. That is why Protec III: Original is not membrane forming (it does not seal the surface). For the best later flooring compatibility you want to avoid sealing the surface.
FAQ: Can Protec III: Original be applied onto other coatings like sealers or water repellants?
No, it cannot. This product has to absorb into the concrete directly, so you must apply Protec III: Original before other coatings, or remove other incompatible coatings before you apply Protec III: Original.
Customer Testimonials:
— CON-TECH Construction (Saskatchewan, Canada) [2016]:
“We have treated over 1 million ft2 of concrete [with Protec III: Original] with no issues.
Historically, where we would have water cured the concrete in the past, we now use Protec III: Original instead, because it works.
We see no advantage to water curing anymore compared to using Protec III: Original. Using Protec III: Original does not slow down the project like water curing; it is very inexpensive and easy to use."
— Ryan Cox, Ledcor Construction (Alberta, Canada) [2016]:
“We did a field test on a project with seven engineers, comparing water curing to Protec III: Original on its own. The test was to pour two concrete pads with thermometers embedded into the concrete, the concrete pads were in the direct sun, one pad water cured and the other pad treated with Protec III. The result was significant. The temperature of the pad treated with Protec III was on average 2°C degrees (3.6°F) lower than the water cured pad.
Protec III: Original was slowing down the cure better than water curing.“
FAQ: Is this product VOC free or LEED 4.1?
Yes. Protec III: Original passes CDPH Standard Method v1.2–2017 for all three scenarios, meaning it has zero VOCs, and contributes to the LEED 4.1 EQ Credit: Low-Emitting Materials.
FAQ: Does the product need to be mixed?
No. This product does not need to be mixed.
The product is only delivered ready to use.
Mixing is only recommended if the product has frozen, and it can still be used normally after thawing and mixing.
FAQ: Can this product be stored outside?
Yes. The product is not affected by freeze-thaw cycles or heat as long as the lid remains air tight. Always fully thaw and mix any product that has frozen.
FAQ: What type of sprayers are needed?
Protec III: Original is compatible with all types of sprayers and does not require specialized equipment.
FAQ: Is this a new product?
No. Protec III: Original has over 27 years of use on a wide range of concrete mix designs within Canada and Australia, and over ten years of proven performance in precast plants (as of 2026; 10 million square feet of wetcast wall panels finished with Protec III: Original).
FAQ: Does this product work differently on S.C.C. vs regular mixes?
No. The process and instructions stay the same between the two mix designs.
Some prefer a bit lighter application on high-perfomance or SCC mixes (Self-Compacting Concrete or Self-Consolidating Concrete) if using our product as a finishing aid, but we still recommend using with the official instructions for all normal applications.
All information is already fine-tuned by finish type for improved ease of use.
Mix design updates such as air entrainment, cement type, and admixtures generally do not affect the product coverage. These changes have already been accounted for and pre-calculated for you.
Customer Testimonials:
— Rob, Koncrete Construction Group (Kindersley, Canada) [2017]:
“We have been in business for 50 years now and we can say that Protec III: Original is one of the best products in the marketplace.
Protec III: Original works great when it's windy out, it stops the concrete surface from developing shrinkage cracks from drying out too fast.
Protec III: Original has cut down concrete problems dramatically, membrane cures are a terrible idea for concrete, Protec III: Original is the answer."
FAQ: How does this compare to a sodium silicate?
As a cure it outperforms a 20% solids sodium silicate by 17.33% (ASTM C156).
FAQ: Is this reaction chelation?
No. It is a stabilizing surface reaction, not chelation.
This product reacts at the surface level to reduce soluble calcium and tighten the top surface. Less calcium can migrate to form efflorescence and moisture loss is less abrupt so overall shrinkage crack risk drops.
Closing Summary:
Protec III: Original is an excellent alternative to water curing and membrane-forming cures. It has the fastest concrete cure application available, and keeps your project construction flexible with its 100% compatibility with further coatings and adhesives applied on top of Protec III: Original.
Once Protec III: Original dries, it becomes part of the concrete, giving you a reliable and easy way to cure and dust-proof your concrete without later compatibility issues if flooring changes are needed.
With over 27 years of using Protec III: Original, we are confident that it will perform, and be a valuable asset on all of your concrete construction projects.