If you’re looking for the best paver sealer that will give your driveway a wet look, this article is for you. With so many options available, it’s hard to know where to start and which product will work best for your needs. We’ve compiled a list of five sealers we recommend and reviewed them in depth so you can decide what’s right for your project!
Table of Content
What are the advantages of sealing or impregnating?
Sealing and impregnating are different protective treatments, but both ensure that dirt particles no longer penetrate the pores of paving stones or patio slabs and can simply be swept off. Of course, the patio slabs do not become self-cleaning, but dirt, algae, and moss can hardly hold on and can be removed with the simplest of means. Grease splashes from barbecues or spilled red wine? No problem – wipe away with a damp cloth, done. No permanent stains remain. It doesn’t matter whether you apply the protective layer immediately after laying or later. The treatments also usually make the paving stones and patio slabs more frost-resistant, as the stones cannot fill up with water.
Top paver sealer for a wet look
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
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ToughGloss Concrete Sealer (Semi-Gloss) - #1 Easy Use... | 31 Reviews | Check price |
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5 GAL Armor AR350 Solvent Based Acrylic Wet Look... | 1,671 Reviews | Check price |
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5 Gal. DOMINATOR LG+ Clear Acrylic Sealer | Low Gloss... | 549 Reviews | Check price |
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High-Gloss, Cure & Seal, Concrete Sealer (5 Gal)... | 55 Reviews | Check price |
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Black Diamond Stoneworks Wet Look Natural Stone Sealer... | 2,767 Reviews | Check price |
Last update on 2023-03-07
1. ToughGloss Concrete Sealer
Last update on 2023-03-07
ToughGloss Non-Sanded Concrete & Masonry Sealer is the best in its class for protecting indoor and outdoor concrete surfaces. Applied with a beautiful semi-gloss wet look, ToughGloss is formulated to last year after year without reapplication. ToughGloss is perfect for sealing driveways, sidewalks, floors, cultured stone counters/backsplashes…the list goes on. Better yet, when applied properly, you’ll see that it will protect your property from the harsh effects of nature (ex: Winter Salt)
Pros:
- Durable concrete sealant
- Indoor – Outdoor, pure acrylic sealer
- Extremely easy to apply
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Foundation Armor AR350
Last update on 2023-03-07
Armor AR350 is the acrylic foundation sealant you need to make concrete look wet again. You can apply it on unsealed concrete or surfaces previously sealed with a solvent-based acrylic sealer, and it will reduce the damage of surface abrasion like strings, cracks, spalling, and pitting. It lasts up to 1-3 years on exterior surfaces and up to 3-7 years on interior surfaces.
Pros:
- Extremely easy to apply to any surface
- Darkens surfaces quickly to enhance their appearance
- Protects against a wide range of damaging elements
- Does not require a frequent overlap
Cons:
- A very smelly substance
- Expensive
3. DOMINATOR Sealer LG+ Wet Look
Last update on 2023-03-07
Dominate the market with a line of sealers that combine water-based formulas, silicone glossing polymers and low VOC’s! These superior products are durable, offer beautiful colors for your project. WithDominator LG+, you can keep surfaces clean from oil stains and other spills while providing protection against the sun to extend their life. Not only does this provide excellent defense against UV radiation it also improves contrast between light and dark colors on textured concrete pavers or decorative surfaces which hold more than 250-400 square feet per gallon depending on terrain. You’ll save money by reducing maintenance when you seal with Domionator LG+. Breathe easy knowing this sealer has no harsh odors!
Pros:
- Great coverage rate
- No harsh odors
- Breathable
- Dries very quickly
- Resistant to water and UV rays
Cons:
- It is sticky
- Low density
4. Walttools High-Gloss
Last update on 2023-03-07
This clear gloss sealant has features that make it the only sealer for experts who enjoy fine detail or hand-drawn details in their work. You can apply it the day after cleaning the surface, which means you’ll never have to worry about dirt getting into stains again. This product is a water-based acrylic resin that will not yellow over time nor be dissolved by anything including solvents or alcohols!
Pros:
- UV resistant
- High coverage rate
- Dries very quickly
Cons:
- Might require comparatively more paver sealer wet look substance to cover an area
5. Black Diamond Wet Look Stone Sealer
Last update on 2023-03-07
The Black Diamond Wet Look Stone Sealer is a water-based sealant that gives your (exposed aggregate) concrete, brick, and stonework an elegantly shiny finish. Now you can have the durable protection of a sealant without suffering from the drawbacks on any other surface! The Easy to Maintain 100% Money Back Guarantee on this product means that if you’re not happy with it on your patio or garage floor then contact us and we’ll give you a full refund. Your purchase is backed by our satisfaction guarantee so there’s no risk to try it out for yourself.
Pros:
- Provides shiny result
- Resistant to UV rays, chemicals, and water
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- Harmful to granite and marble surfaces
- It doesn’t last long
Means for sealing or impregnating
Special liquid agents based on epoxy resins or dispersions are used, which are available for concrete and natural stone and are often even adapted to certain natural stones. More and more popular are products with a so-called “nano-effect”, which allows water to simply roll off like the well-known lotus effect and thus effectively stands up to green coatings. Just as with wood protection, stones can be either impregnated or sealed – the difference lies in how the care products handle and bond with the stone surface: Impregnating agents penetrate the pores of the stones, while sealers form an impermeable film. The agents do not clean the stones, so existing stains or scratches remain. Both treatments make colors appear more intense, like wetting the stones.
Impregnate
Impregnating agents are like bouncers, they repel dirt but let water vapor through. The stones lose their absorbency and remain clean. Thorough sweeping off afterward is sufficient as a cleaning measure. Rising water from the soil passes through the impregnation unhindered and does not collect under the protective layer in the stone – it becomes more frost-resistant and insensitive to de-icing salt.
Sealing
A sealer lays on the stone surface like a transparent protective shield and makes it completely impermeable. This also closes the fine irregularities in the stone where dirt particles can get stuck. Sealed surfaces are therefore particularly easy to clean, but become more slippery. The sealant gives the stones a shiny surface. However, any water that may arise cannot leave the stone, which may make it more susceptible to frost. For this reason, sealers are mainly used indoors, for example for kitchen countertops.
Which stones should be sealed or impregnated?
Of course, protective treatment is not a must; paving stones will last for decades without it. However, for those who appreciate low cleaning effort and whose stones should not age noticeably, there is no way around impregnation. This is because natural stones can discolor over time and concrete stones can fade. After impregnation, natural and concrete stones remain as they are. The treatment is especially recommended for open-pored natural stones such as slate, granites, travertine, sandstones, and limestones. If you are unsure whether impregnation makes sense, do the stain test on other types of stone and place a light, damp cotton cloth on the stones: If it becomes slightly dirty after 20 minutes, the stones should be sealed.
How to seal and impregnate paved surfaces
The stones are preserved in their current condition. The right time for freshly laid paving stones is directly after laying but before grouting. For existing surfaces, cleanliness is the key, otherwise, dirt will simply be preserved along with them: The stones must be thoroughly swept and free of green cover, no weeds should grow in the joints. As soon as the surface is clean and dry and no rain is expected, spread the agent evenly over the surface with a paint roller and let it dry for 24 hours. Make sure that the joints are also wetted thickly.
How long does an impregnation last?
The protective layer continuously deteriorates due to the use of the surface and the associated mechanical abrasion, and the treatment must be repeated regularly. This naturally affects heavily walked surfaces such as paving and patio stones more frequently than seating areas. In heavily used areas such as the entrance to the house, the procedure should be repeated every three years, otherwise every four to five years, depending on the manufacturer.
