25
How to Seal Pavers for a High-Gloss Wet Look
Freshly sealed pavers have a deep, rich color, as if they were just rinsed after a summer rain. The hard part is keeping that look. A cheap product or a rushed job can fade, turn cloudy, or peel within a season. When you know how to apply paver sealer correctly and pick the right product, the wet look finish can hold up to sun and weather for 2 to 3 years or more.
After nearly two decades of answering the question of how to seal pavers, our advice comes down to three rules: spray for the best results; choose water-based over solvent-based; and choose urethane over acrylic. Here’s why, followed by the full process step by step.
Why Sealing Pavers Is Worth the Effort
Pavers are porous. Water, oil, and dirt soak in; joint sand washes out; and UV light slowly bleaches the color. A quality sealer helps with all of these:
- Enhances and darkens natural color for a wet-look finish
- Stabilizes joint sand to help reduce sand loss, weeds, and insect activity
- Repels water, oil, grease, and rust stains so cleanup is easier
- Helps protect against fading from harsh sunlight
- Makes routine cleaning of driveways, patios, and pool decks faster
Choosing the Best Paver Sealer for a Wet Look
Water-Based vs Solvent-Based
Solvent-based sealers can give a nice initial gloss. According to our lead chemist, they can also get slippery when applied too thick, and the gloss often burns off after about 6 months in the sun. They’re harder to spray, and they tend to seal only the top of the joint sand. Water-based sealers soak deeper into the sand joints for better stabilization, and they avoid the fumes and environmental problems of solvents.
From our lead chemist:
тАЭ While solvent-based sealers can produce a nice high gloss surface, they can also make the surface slippery if applied too thick.
Also the gloss finish, typically burns off after 6 months of exposure to the sun. тАЬ
Urethane vs Acrylic
Water-based acrylics cost less and are easy to use; however, they are moisture-sensitive. If the pavers aren’t completely dry, trapped moisture can cause blushing, a white haze that usually means stripping the sealer and starting again. Water-based 2-part urethanes are tougher. When Part A and Part B are mixed, they chemically cross-link into a film that resists UV, chemicals, oil, and chlorine. They also resist yellowing and give a darker, longer-lasting wet look. They cost more up front, but they help you avoid resealing every year.
CoverTec Paver Sealer Comparison
Use this quick guide to find the best paver sealer for your surface and the finish you want:
StrongSeal Wetlook: Water-based 2-part urethane; clear wet look gloss; damp tolerant (the surface can be damp, with no standing water) and designed as a joint sand stabilizer; for concrete pavers, brick, natural stone, stamped concrete, and exposed aggregate. Our top pick for a durable wet look paver sealer on driveways and patios.
CoverSeal AC250: Water-based acrylic; high gloss, wet look, and non-yellowing; developed for natural stone, concrete, and terrazzo. A good choice for a single-component gloss sealer on surfaces that are fully dry.
CoverSeal Pen50: Water-based penetrating silane siloxane; natural look with no film; helps prevent cracking and spalling and blocks salt damage from chlorides. Best when you want protection without a sheen.
How to Apply Paver Sealer: Step by Step
- Clean thoroughly. Remove oil, dirt, mold, and mildew with a cleaner such as SurfaceClean. Never seal over efflorescence (the white, chalky deposits); remove it first with Surface PrepWork, or the sealer will lock it onto the surface. If the pavers were sealed before and efflorescence is showing under that sealer, the old sealer must be stripped.
- Refill the joints. Sweep dry, properly graded sand into the joints to just below the top of the pavers, typically 1/8 inch. Then use a leaf blower to remove all loose sand, dust, and debris from the surface.
- Check the weather. Pick a calm, windless day. Don’t apply in rain or in direct sun above 90┬░F. StrongSeal Wetlook shouldn’t be applied below 45┬░F or above 95┬░F.
- Mix and dilute (2 parts product). StrongSeal Wetlook is pre-measured at 4 parts A to 1 part B. After mixing, dilute 1 part mixed material with 1 part clean water. Only mix what you can use: pot life is about 90 minutes.
- Spray a flood coat. A pump-up garden sprayer works best. Saturate the surface and aim directly over the joints so the sealer soaks down into the sand. The product can be rolled, but we recommend spraying the product for best results. Keeping a roller on hand in case you see any puddling or pooling of the product in low spots or sand joints can achieve an even finish.
- Back-brush or back-roll the excess. Check for puddles. Walk the area and even out any pooled sealer before it dries so nothing cures thick on the surface.
- Apply a second coat. Two coats are recommended for extra protection and a deeper gloss. Each diluted gallon of StrongSeal Wetlook covers about 200 sq ft.
- Let it cure. Allow 24 to 48 hours after the surface is dry before driving on a sealed driveway.
Common Mistakes That Dull the Wet Look
- Sealing over efflorescence or leftover sand
- Applying acrylic sealers to pavers that aren't fully dry
- Leaving puddles of sealer to dry in low spots or sand joints
- Applying in high heat, direct sun, or wind
- Choosing the cheapest sealer; a low-grade product needs reapplying more often and can cause discoloration if you switch sealers later
Paver Sealing FAQs
Can I seal pavers the same day I pressure wash them?
With a damp-tolerant 2-part urethane like StrongSeal Wetlook, yes: the surface can be damp as long as there’s no standing water. Acrylic sealers need the pavers to be completely dry.
How long before I can drive on sealed pavers?
For StrongSeal Wetlook, allow a further 24 to 48 hours after the surface is dry to walk on before driving over it.
How do I make pavers look wet permanently?
No sealer is permanent. A water-based 2-part urethane gives the darkest and longest-lasting wet look; periodic cleaning and resealing keep it looking fresh.
SHOP NOW
Ready to give your driveway, patio, or pool deck a rich, high-gloss finish? Browse CoverTec’s paver and natural stone sealers, including StrongSeal Wetlook, and find the right product for your project. Have questions about your surface or which sealer to choose? Contact the CoverTec team at service@covertecproducts.com or through the Ask a Specialist page. Shop now and give your pavers the wet look they deserve.
About Our Expert | Charles Idowu
Charles Idowu started his career as a civil engineer in 1983 in the UK. After achieving his MBA and his Chartered Engineer qualifications, Charles quickly became the waterproofing and coatings expert for a renowned British construction company. His international work landed him in South Florida, where he combined his engineering experience and passion for business to start CoverTec Products.
- 10821 NW 50th Street Sunrise Fl 33351
- Phone: 754-223-2465
- Email: service@covertecproducts.com
- Monday тАУ Friday 8:30am тАУ 4:30pm
- Fax: 754-223-2467