Asphalt Sealers

[Michigan_Mike]

OK, it's time for us to get our asphalt driveway sealed, and the different contractors are bidding different products. Jennite and SealMaster Acrylic.
Has anyone had any experience with either of these?
Thanks, in advance.
Mike

 

[Highbeam]

I would go for a coal tar emulsion. Make sure it is a petroleum and not some fancy paint. Acrylic is a paint. Might as well use rustoleum.

 

[bczoom]

I agree with Highbeam.

Can you do it yourself? When we do it for a friend of mine, he rents a couple hundred gallon tank from where they make it and we do it ourselves. His driveway is 550' long with a large area in front of the house and we can do it in 2 or 3 hours. One guy with 5 gal. bucket and broom, the other with a squeege.

 

[beenthere]

I am waiting for my driveway contractor to seal the drive he put in a year ago. When he left, he said "Don't let anyone spray a sealer on it" and I don't know what he meant by that.

I am curious to find out what he meant, and am not sure if he doesn't spray.

I'm interested in the topic.

 

[Varmintmist]

Coal tar emulsion is the only sealer, the acrylic is paint as was mentioned.

A spray job is OK, but it really doesnt leave enough material on the surface. You have to cut it to hard to make coal tar emulsion flow. The paint will spray fine but is worthless except for looks.

A broom machine you can add sand to and keep the mix thicker so that it goes on heaver and fills the small cracks before they get bigger.

A hand job with broom and squeegee is as good as a broom machine, just takes longer. 2-4 people and you can walk a driveway out pretty quick.

You want the top layer of asphalt (tar) to wear before you seal. Thats why you are waiting for your contractor.

 

[Michigan_Mike]

I did a little more investigation, and I think the saleman was a bit confused on the acrylic. He told me that it was an acrylic coal tar emulsion. Looking at the brand name, they actually produce both, and you're right the arcylic apprears to be something that just makes it LOOK good.

 

[Michigan_Mike]

When we had our drive installed last year, we were told to wait until this year to seal it. We heard this from both the company that put in the drive, and a company that only does sealing.

 

[Michigan_Mike]

Unfortunately, my back won't let me do this myself. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
The reason I'm considering the product Jennite, is the claim that it will last from 3 to 5 years.
The companies using the other products say every other year.

 

[DannyD]

I have a bid on mine (1st time, 3 year old drive) for 278.00 and they do all the work except cleaning the drive.

They have dyi kits for 175.00,

40x40 with 100" drive 10" wide.........and only me to do this. should I do it? On vacation next week.

 

[Varmintmist]

Cleaning the drive is the worst part of doing the job.

Sweep it, blow it and get ALL of the dirt off. Then treat EVERY oil or gas spill with chemicals or you can gently burn them with a torch. The chem route is safer for your drive because you can burn asphalt, and you dont want that.

If you DYI it this time of the year, clean it the day before and start sealing early AM (6) when everything is cool. The sealer will start to set when it is hot and you really have to move on it. Cool is better.

Just pour it out of the can and run it in a winrow with a squeegee and follow with a medium bristle broom to rub it in. You can leave swirlies in it with the broom if you want. Some folks like the look, or rub it in and just pull it straight. Get a 8in whitewash brush to do near the garage and any other feature. Make sure you do the sides of the blacktop also.