How To Seal Pavers For a High Gloss Wet Look | Brick, Driveway & Concrete Pavers

Looking for a wet look, gloss appearance that brings out the colors in your pavers?  Do you want something that holds up to sun and weathering for 2 to 3 years – or more?

You’re in the right place.  To get the results above, it’s important to understand how to seal pavers… and why.  We’ve got your answers below.

After 18 years of dealing with the question of how to seal pavers the right way, my best recommendations are as follows:

1. Spray apply rather than roller apply.
2. Use water based sealers rather than solvent based.
3. Use urethane sealers rather than acrylic sealers.

Let’s expand on these 3 guidelines a little further. (And here’s a quick video to show you what we mean.)

While roller applying a sealer is easier than spraying, roller application does not work as well on pavers compared to something like concrete. 

The biggest drawback when rolling sealer on brick pavers is that the roller can pick up the joint sand and roll it over the top of the brick paver surface.  This is especially true if the joints are wide. Furthermore, the amount of sealer that soaks into the sand joints is difficult to control when rolling.

Apply a flood coat to the paver surface including the joints. This method will apply the sealer very generously while allowing the sealer to soak into the sand joints as well.

As long as you apply the paver sealer on a windless day, the coverage can be generous and effortless.

If you really can’t get a pump up garden sprayer, opt for a sponge-type roller to apply the sealer. A nap roller is more likely to grab and trap your joint sand.

Solvent based sealers are bad for the environment! Manufacturers are gradually moving away from these type products.

Regardless, solvent based sealers are more difficult to spray apply than water-based sealers, and they don’t really seal the joint sand, as well as the water based products.

The solvent based sealer tends to seal only the top surface of the sand compared to the water based, which soak down deeper into the sand.

From our lead chemist:

” 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. “

Water based acrylic sealers eliminate the issues with using solvents and are better at stabilizing joint sand to prevent sand loss.

However, it is important to use a high solids acrylic sealer or a urethane modified acrylic sealer, otherwise they fade and lose the glossy appearance after 6 months to a year.

Water based polyurethanes are a tougher sealer than acrylics and are more UV resistant and chemically resistant.

They don’t yellow, perform better outside and they are more resistant to chemicals oil, brake fluid, and chlorine.

The best water based polyurethanes are 2-part products (Part A and B requiring mixing). These 2-part polyurethanes when mixed together chemically cross link to form a paver sealer that is highly durable and long lasting when exposed to sunlight and/or freeze thaw.

A big plus is that they are much less sensitive to moisture. You can apply a 2-part polyurethane water based sealer as soon as you finish pressure washing. We call it “same day” sealing.

” The down side of using 2 part polyurethanes to seal pavers is that they are more expensive.  And once you have mixed them, you have to use them.  There is no shelf life or coming back the next day to seal pavers, with left over mixed product. 

Acrylic based sealers are typically single component and easy to apply.

Based on many years of experience, CoverTec Products recommends water based sealers over a solvent based sealers. “

Water based polyurethanes produce a glossy, non-yellowing wet look finish. They are also very economical product to seal pavers. The downside is that acrylic can be very moisture sensitive. This is true for both solvent and water based acrylic sealers.

The paver surface must be very dry when you apply the sealer, otherwise you will get blushing (turning white) from trapped moisture. Once the sealer turns white it is virtually impossible to fix the problem. You have to strip off the sealer and start again. This is a major headache!

The solvent based is just too moisture sensitive and tends to lose its shine very quickly. It terms of giving the best wet look gloss finish, I would recommend a 2-part water based polyurethane to seal pavers.

It leaves the surface with a much darker wet look appearance compared to a water based acrylic. It also stays that way for much longer, so you don’t keep coming back every year to do the job again.

A 2-part product may cost a little more for product, but the results are dramatic and longer lasting.

It can be a lot of work to clean and seal pavers, and nobody wants to go through that effort any more times than they need to!  

StrongSeal Wetlook is a heavy duty, water-based paver sealer with wet look finish. It’s a professional grade, damp tolerant clear sealer and joint-sand stabilizer.

CoverSeal AC250 is a high gloss, wet look, water-based sealer developed specifically to protect and seal concrete, terrazzo and natural stone surfaces.

CoverSeal Pen50 water-based, penetrating silane siloxane sealer prevents cracking & spalling on surfaces. It’s mold and mildew resistant. It also blocks salt damage from chlorides.

CoverSeal Premium impregnator sealer with maximum stain resistance protection penetrates and fills the voids & capillaries in concrete or stone to react and repel any oil, stains or water present.

1. Pavers, bricks or concrete must be clean. Use appropriate cleaners for removing oil, efflorescence mold and mildew. Don’t apply sealant over efflorescence. This will only seal the efflorescence to the surface of the paver. If your pavers have already been sealed over and you see efflorescence, the sealant will have to be stripped. Remember, efflorescence can appear after sealing, as it rises up from within the pavers.
2. Sweep dry, properly graded sand into joints and fill to required level slightly below the top of the pavers (typically 1/8”). Completely remove all remaining sand from the top of the pavers A leaf blower is recommended for this and to remove any dust and debris.
3. After the sand has been applied into the paver joints and the application area blown clean, apply one coat of paver sealer to saturation; paying particular attention to getting as much sealer into the joints and down into the sand as possible. Concentrate spraying sealer over the joint. One liberal coat will seal, protect and lock down your interlocking concrete paving stones. Excess sealer on the surface must be back brushed or back rolled into the joints. A second coat should be applied to give additional protection and increase gloss.
4. Do not apply any sealers during inclement weather or in direct sunlight when temperature exceeds 90°F.

Remember, when considering how to seal pavers, that investing in a quality sealant will improve the look and durability of your driveway, patio or pool deck.

A cheap sealer will need to be re-applied more frequently and may cause discoloration if you switch sealers later on. It’s fine to comparison-shop, but the least expensive product may not give the best results.

As always, contact CoverTec at 754-253-4389 if you have any questions about sealing your surfaces for the best appearance and longest lasting protection.