The best way to enhance full or faded concrete is with a sealer or coating. Which one to use will depend on whether or not your concrete is currently sealed, and what you want your concrete to look like.
If your concrete is unsealed, you can use a penetrating sealer or an acrylic sealer. Penetrating sealers, like the Armor WL550, chemically react to form a hydrophobic barrier below the surface. They will slightly darken the surface to bring out any dull and faded coloring and help to reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption. The Armor WL550 does not leave behind a visible surface film.
Under acrylic sealers, there are water based acrylic sealers and solvent based acrylic sealers. Solvent based acrylic sealers will offer a more dramatic color enhancement and will protect the concrete with a low to high gloss finish. Great solvent-based acrylics include the Armor AR350, Armor AR500, and Armor AX25. Water based acrylic sealers will offer a very slight color enhancement and will protect the concrete with a low to high gloss finish. Great water-based acrylics include the Armor WB15 and Armor WB25. Penetrating sealers work to reduce damage and deterioration, but acrylic sealers work to stop damage and deterioration.
Which type of sealer is best for your application depends on how much of a color enhancement you are looking to achieve, and whether or not you want natural concrete, or a low to high gloss finish. If you are unsure, consider applying the different products to a test area to see which one you like best.
If you concrete is currently sealed, you are limited to the type of sealer you can use. If you currently have a penetrating water repellent sealer down, like a Silane-Siloxane water repellent, and the water repellent sealer allows for water to be absorbed into the surface, you most likely can use a penetrating sealer like the Armor WL550. If you want to apply an acrylic sealer, you can use a solvent based acrylic sealer, but a water based acrylic sealer would require a test. Water repellent sealers are designed to reduce the absorption of water through the pores, so if the barrier is still present in the concrete, it can prevent the water based acrylic sealer from being able to penetrate and bond. If you have questions, you should talk to a product technician so they can better advise you about your sealer options.
If your concrete is currently sealed with a water-based acrylic you should reseal with a water-based acrylic, and if your concrete is currently sealed with a solvent based acrylic you should reseal with a solvent based acrylic. If your old acrylic sealer is completely removed, or if you used a coating stripper like the Armor CR100, you can switch from a water to a solvent, or a solvent to a water, but it is always best to talk to a product technician and apply the product to a test area first.
For fantastic customer photos, and to visualize what your concrete could look like enhanced, view the product listing pages for dozens of great photos.