There are several different concrete sealers that can be used to seal a stamped concrete driveway. Which concrete sealer you use will depend on how old the stamped concrete is, and whether or not the stamped concrete driveway has been sealed before. In this article, we will break down the best stamped concrete driveway sealers for each scenario.
Sealers for New Stamped Concrete Driveways
If you are looking to seal new, unsealed stamped concrete, then you want a cure and seal. Cure and seals will help to protect the stamped concrete driveway, they will help to enhance and protect the integral coloring, and they will help the stamped concrete to properly cure.
Best Cure & Seals for Stamped Concrete:
Sealers for Unsealed Stamped Concrete Driveways
If your stamped concrete driveway is fully cured, and it doesn’t have a sealer on it, you have a few different concrete sealer options.
Silane-Siloxane Sealers: Silane-siloxane sealers are great for stamped concrete that isn’t integrally colored. If your stamped concrete is colored, a silane-siloxane sealer won’t do anything to help protect the color and prevent it from fading. Silane-siloxane sealers penetrate into the concrete where they react to form a water-repellent barrier within the pores. They work entirely below the surface and won’t leave behind a protective surface film. If you have stamped concrete and want to protect the concrete without changing the look, a silane-siloxane sealer is a great option.
Best Silane-Siloxane Sealers
Acrylic Sealers: Acrylic sealers are the best sealers to use on stamped concrete. They protect the concrete against damage and deterioration caused by surface abrasion and water. They also help to enhance and protect the integral coloring of the stamped concrete.
Best Solvent-Based Acrylic Sealers
Best Water-Based Acrylic Sealers
Sealers for Stamped Concrete Driveways That Have Previously Been Sealed
If your stamped concrete driveway currently has a concrete sealer on it, you want to make sure that the new sealer is compatible with the old sealer.
Silane-Siloxane Sealer: If your stamped concrete driveway has been previously sealed with a silane-siloxane sealer, and the sealer no longer beads water, you can apply a solvent-based silane-siloxane sealer or a solvent-based acrylic sealer to the surface. If you applied the sealer years ago, you may be able to use a water based product, but if it has been less than 5 years, you run the risk of the silane-siloxane sealer in the pores repelling the water-based product.
Water-Based Acrylic Sealer: Water based acrylic sealers should be resealed with water based acrylic sealers. It is important to make sure that the water-based sealer currently down is in good shape, otherwise it should be removed first.
Solvent-Based Acrylic Sealer: Solvent based acrylic sealers should be resealed with solvent based acrylic sealers. It is important to make sure that the solvent-based sealer currently down is in good shape, otherwise it should be removed first.
Please note, the above are just suggestions and it is always best to check with the product manufacturer and follow their advice/suggestions.
