Has anyone seal an asphalt driveway?

silverado man · October 28, 2005

I'm thinking about sealing my driveway this weekend. Is there anyone that know how to do it? Is it easy, and what do kind of tools are needed?

bob1527 · October 28, 2005

when i was a young girl we had to stir the 5 gallon buckets for like an hour before we could lay it down, but now i believe they have have ones where stirring is not neccessary, so I'd try to get that kind. i used to just roll it out with a cheap roller with a cheap wood handle that i would throw away in the end. also a cheap 4 inch brush for the edges. this was all before i got my stamped concrete driveway (even the neighbors cant tell its not brick ) make sure you clean the driveway really good before. its really easy, and well worth it. it really makes the house look nice.

Needgasmoney · October 29, 2005

I try to do it about every 3 years and my best method is: The night before you do it, turn the buckets of sealer upside down on your driveway, this will make it much easier and quicker to stir when you are ready. Next, blow off or clean the driveway including all the cracks very good. I just use some cheap 9" paint rollers on a long handle (about 5 foot) paint roller and apply it just like painting a wall. Move your roller in several directions to make sure you get all the cracks covered. Dont' put it down too thick, a thin coat is all that is required or it will take it many days to dry. Once the roller nap is worn, change rollers. If it is an extremely hot day, keep a water hose handy and mist the parts of the driveway you haven't gotten to yet and this will keep the heat down on the asphalt so that the sealer doesn't dry too quick. Make sure rain isn't forecast for at least 48 hours. You can usually walk on it in 24 hours and drive on it in 48 hours. This should keep you from having a terrible backache the next day.

Delray · October 29, 2005

I worked at a paving company for awhile,Clean the surface your sealing w/air or a stiff broom.If you have cracks you can put some sand in them or that concret crack stuff.Kill all the grass in any cracks.Buy a good squeegee(a T shaped implement having a crosspiece edged w/rubber)about 30" to 36" wide.get one of those deals to put on a 1/2 drill to do your stiring,you got a big drill don't ya?Use some cardboard to mix on.

You don't want your sealer to be too thick(I'm not sure what kinds of sealer are out there But get one that cleans up with water!)Add water to you buckets,alittle at a time.You want it like thick paint.buy some beer a get some friends to help they can get the buckets ready while your spreadin' this stuff on your surface(don't want to mix too many buckets and have too much when your done.take back extra buckets to the store for a refund)Start to spread it accross the top of the driveway and work your way down one side(about 8-10')and back to the top for a couple of rows and down the side,top-side till you make it to the street.Be careful not to get it on the grass,you might want to trim the grass real good around the drive before starting. Clean up your tools and save them for next year and hope it don't rain for 24 hrs.Steve

BTW clean any oil spots real good before starting!!!