How does an impregnator reduce the staining prospects of natural stone?
The solid part of silicone impregnators are microscopic balls of silicone that attach themselves to the crevices inside the stone. These balls of silicone are negatively charged, which means they repel each other so that they cannot combine in one big ball of silicone. Once they are attached to the stone, these balls become a permanent part of the stone, and give out a magnetic charge, which creates an invisible “umbrella” between the balls. These microscopic umbrellas act as shields when a much larger drop of liquid lands on them. They hold the liquid up, and prevent it from penetrating the stone. The liquid part of the impregnator, is usually either mineral or water based, and acts as the carrier that brings the silicone to the stone and has it penetrate deep into the stone. The most effective impregnators use mineral spirits and have the smallest particles of silicone.
