My Best Sealers to Use for Exposed Aggregate
- SuperSeal 25
- SuperSeal 30
- SuperSeal Matte
- SuperSeal VOC for restricted states
- Masonry Saver Decorative Concrete Sealer
Exposed Aggregate Concrete Sealers
Concrete that has had the outer skin of the cement paste removed to reveal the decorative surface underneath is called exposed aggregate concrete. It is very durable and skid-resistant, ideal for driveways, sidewalks, patios, pool decks, and patios.
Sealing aggregate concrete will further enhance its beauty and help protect it from the harsh elements and deicing salts. An exposed aggregate sealer will also reduce mold and mildew problems, stabilize the surface, protect color retention, and protect against freeze/thaw damage.
An exposed aggregate sealer can be easily applied with excellent results by any homeowner. Failure to maintain an aggregate surface can result in color loss, pitting, and cracking and leave the surface exposed to stains from spills.
Always Prep Aggregate First
- Clean the surface with a pressure washer to remove dirt.
- Use a concrete cleaner to remove stains such as grease or rust if needed.
- After drying for 24-48 hours, apply an exposed aggregate crack filler to any large cracks.
Cleaning and prepping the aggregate surface before sealing it is vital to the performance of the new sealer. Pressure wash the surface to remove dirt, mold, mildew, and grime. If necessary, use a concrete cleaner to assist in removing stubborn stains. If necessary, use a degreaser on oil spots and rust remover on irrigation rust stains.
Tips for Apply Exposed Aggregate Sealers
- Using a roller, apply sealer and a spread rate of 100-150 sq. feet per gallon, making sure not to puddle the sealer.
- Let dry for 1-3 hours.
- Apply a light second coat to improve the appearance or increase the gloss level if needed.
After cleaning the exposed aggregate, allow the surface to dry for 2 days before sealing. The best exposed aggregate sealer is a solvent-based acrylic sealer. Use a ½” nap roller and coat one section of concrete at a time. If the concrete is broken up into squares due to the saw cuts in the concrete, coat one of these sections at a time to avoid overlap marks. Otherwise, apply the exposed aggregate sealer quickly.
Allow the exposed aggregate sealer to dry for 1-4 hours. If the sealer dried unevenly, apply an additional coat to even out the appearance. Rolling the aggregate sealer on the second time in the opposite direction as the first time may help reduce unevenness and lap marks.
Maintaining Your Exposed Aggregate Surface
Typically, repeating this process every 1-3 years is best to keep your aggregate protected and looking great.
Most exposed aggregate sealers last 1-2 years, depending on climate, traffic, and the type of sealer used. Protecting your exposed aggregate concrete surfaces with a quality concrete sealer will enhance their natural beauty and provide lasting protection for extended use.
Please ask below if you have any questions on sealing exposed aggregate patios and driveways.
can we add some paint to the sealer?
No, that will not work.
I’m looking to seal my exposed aggregate pool deck and give it the “wet” look. I’m confused on the difference between super sealer “30” vs “m” and which would be best for my application. I live in South Carolina.
Super Seal-M is not a wet look or gloss sealer. It is a water repellent. You want the SS30. Many choose the brown tint for exposed aggregate.
I’m a dummy, tried using a bleach based cleaning solution w/ a pressure washer, to get rid of a water stain, on our exposed aggregate covered patio. Now I’m left with a large white bleach stain. Which sealer would you recommend applying to the entire patio with hopes of covering the stain and blending with the rest of the patio?
Post some pics in the comments and does the bleach stain show when wet with water?
First pic is dry, second is wet. Thanks!
Sorry but since it still shows when wet, you cannot fix this by adding a sealer.
I finished sealing my exposed aggregate and it has dried for more than 36 hours. It got a good rain on it last night, and still tonight, after a warm and breezy day, I have small pools of water remaining.
Is this normal? Will this present consequences when wither hits??
Yes, no issues.
I want to seal my exposed aggregate sidewalk and steps. Is Super Seal 30 slippery when wet?
This would vary based on how many coats are applied and how porous the surface is. Typically, not slippery.
What product to use to remove food Greece on concrete drivee way.
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/cleaner-degreaser.html
Thanks
One more question, what type of rust remover do I use, I have a small spot of rust from my picnic table.
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/s-r-b-stain-rust-buster-quart.html
I presently have cure&Seal 25(solvent base)on the exposed aggregate. Can I put the super m right over it?
As long as the old coating has not discolored, it should be fine.
Will this product change the color of the exposed aggregate? Presently my concrete looks natural.
Yes, it enhances like a wet look. For no color change and to just seal, use this: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/superseal-m-5-gallon.html
Is Cure&Seal 25 a good product.
Use this: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/superseal30-gloss-5-gallon.html
What do recommend around pool deck in hot sun light
Super Seal 30.
Without knowing the other sealer brand and type, it is not possible to answer this 100% correctly.
Can SuperSeal 30 be applied over Prosoco Durasheen that is 3 years old?
Yes as long as the old sealer has not discolored.
I used a water based sealer on my aggregate driveway.It doesn’t,have the shine I was looking for ,parts of the driveway is milky white. How can I correct this. I did not stir the liquid I know that I,m not suppose to shake it or it would create bubbles the driveway looks blotchy with hardly any shine, even though I used the wet look product, which was purchased from Home Depot. It’s been a week this Sunday since I sealed it,what can I do to correct this or is it to late
to fix this?
Post some pictures and which sealer did you use?
I have a one year old exposed aggregate driveway that needs to be sealed. Do you have any pictures that show the difference in color after applying Superseal25 semi-gloss as opposed to the Superseal30 gloss? I am not sure which one to purchase.
Use the SS30 in either brown or clear color. There are pic on this product page:
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/superseal30-gloss-5-gallon.html
Sorry, never heard or used aggreseal supreme brown so cannot compare.
I am interested in a penetrating sealer for my exposed aggregate driveway. Any suggestions as to which one is best?
A penetrating sealer will not leave a wet look or shine. If that is what you want, then use the Super Seal-M: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/m-non-gloss-sealer.html
I am more interested in a sealer that will protect the cement than I am in a shiny surface. Thus my question about the best penetrating sealer. Any suggestions?
Our response prior already gave a suggestion.
Our driveway is new. Exposed aggregate. Also 1100 square feet. What is the best prep we can do before sealing?
Just pressure wash for prep. Use the Super seal 30 in the brown tint for aggregate but you can use the clear as well.https://www.concretesealerstore.com/30-Higher-Gloss-Concrete-Sealer.html
I have an aggregate patio and deck around my pool, what do I need to seal with? It hasn’t been sealed before and seems that a few places the concrete is crumbling slightly?
Most use the Super seal 30 in the brown tint for aggregate but you can use the clear as well.https://www.concretesealerstore.com/30-Higher-Gloss-Concrete-Sealer.html
Will this be slippery when dry?
Typically it is not.
I have an exposed aggregate pool deck. It is a 30 year old deck. The exposed aggregate is abrasive and painful on your feat. What sealer should I use that puts a layer of sealer on top and isn’t slippery.
Super Seal 30: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/30-Higher-Gloss-Concrete-Sealer.html
I have an exposed aggregate driveway which I pressure washed and sealed with an acrylic sealer last fall. I noticed there are grey patches all over it this spring. It’s 4 years old and that was the 2nd sealing. Could this be that it wasn’t dry enough before sealing? I noticed when it was done the first time there were some grey patches but way more this time. Also what is the best sealant to use? I really like the look of the driveway when it is wet. We have a tinted brown in the concrete. Thank you.
You will have to strip it off. Use this to remove it: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/concrete-sealer-stripper-5-gallon.html
Use this after to final clean: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/cleaner-degreaser.html
Seal with this in the brown tinted color: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/superseal30-gloss-5-gallon.html
Can you provide a comparison between your Superseal 30 and Eagle Premium Exposed Aggregate Sealer.
Sorry but we have never used Eagle brand.
I have an aggregate driveway at our house that we purchased 2 years ago. The house is 30 years old. It does not appear that there is any sealer currently on the driveway. I have power washed the driveway and patched a few crack with Eagle Brown Crack Crack filler. Do I need to do anything else before I seal the driveway. I would like to use your Super Seal 30 with brown tint for my project. Is there anything I need to concerned about? It appears that the Eagle Brown Crack filler worked great. It looks like your product is better than the Eagle Aggregate Sealer. Please advise.
You should to be good to seal as long as it is dry and clean. The SS30 in Brown is the correct sealer for aggregate.
Just curious, do you sell any installation tools, have any recommendations? Is there any way to tell if there is a previous sealer on the driveway, doesn’t look like it, but I’m not an expert. ? Also, by any chance do you offer any military discounts?
Only way to tel is by visual. Just roll it on. Any quality roller will work. No discounts..
What is the best sealer for an exposed aggregate sidewalk that has been previously sealed with Behr Wet Look sealer. Specifically one that does not become slippery when wet? Thanks
Did the Behr discolor and turn white? If so, you will need to strip it off. The proper sealer to use would be the Super Seal 30: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/30-higher-gloss-concrete-sealer.html
Hello. Thanks for the info. It did not turn white or discolor from the Behr. So the Super Seal 30 is the best option? Does this product cut down on the slipperiness of the sidewalk when it’s wet?
The SS30 should work then. Sealers do not cut down on slipperiness. You can add a grip into the sealer if you would like.https://www.concretesealerstore.com/super-grip.html
For 10 years I have had to apply an acrylic based brown wet look sealer to my exposed aggregate patio and pool surround. However, because I have a salt water pool, the area where the kids get in and out of the pool or stand along the side to jump in looks terrible almost immediately. I didn’t have that problem when the pool was chlorine instead of salt. My neighbor does not have the wetlook aggregate and has no problem with his salt pool discoloring his aggregate. Any suggestions?
You will need to strip it all off to fix and that is not easy with a buildup like you have and around a pool. Might want to get a professional to help with this.
I sealed the aggregate with your Super Seal 25 and it did a great job. You will notice around the sides of the sealed exposed aggregate there are stains from a sloppy prior sealing done 10 years ago. What should I use to Clean up or remove those stains?
fetrainer407@gmail
It is not possible to just strip the edges and not have it affect all of the sealer on the aggregate. Basically you will need to strip all to fix.
What is the best product to use in exposed agg for around a pool
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/30-Higher-Gloss-Concrete-Sealer.html
Can these be applied in the direct sunlight?
Yes, but not above 90 surface temp.
Is there a store near Tacoma Washington>
We sell online only.
does sealing exposed ag. concrete make it more slick and increase the possibility of slipping???
Is there a store near Macomb, MI that sells the SuperSeal PRODUCTS??
Only our store in Bloomfield Hills, MI.
2388 Franklin Rd
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Have a exposed aggregate driveway, 5yrs old. Want to do a sealer with a black/charoal highlight. Instead of the normal merimack brown color. Do you have a product for that?
Sorry but we do not nor have we ever seen one like that.
Hell, I’ve sealed my aggregate driveway several times. The first couple of times it turned out great. The next time the product turned white and bubbled up. The next year I pressure washed the driveway again let dry and applied a different brand but ended up with the same result. Any idea what would cause this problem?
You will have to strip this off to fix with this.
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/concrete-sealer-stripper-5-gallon.html
Adding more on top will only make it worse.
We have this on our kitchen and hall. What would you suggest to clean it & to coat it for a cleaner look.
For an inside sealer, try this: https://www.concretesealerstore.com/MasonrySaver-Products.html
Can I use SuperSeal on my exposed aggregate pool deck? I just read online that this product should not be used near a pool.
You can use it around a pool. You can always add the Super Grip if you are worried about traction.
Can a person use an electric sprayer to apply an aggregate sealer?
Probably not but does depend on the brand you are using and the sprayer quality as some are too thick.
Hi. I have an exposed aggregate patio around my pool. I do not want a shiny finish, but would like it to look a little darker to freshen up the look. I am worried about how slick it will be with a sealer. Will the superseal matte be slick when wet, or should I get the superseal M? It didnt sound like the superseal M will darken the patio at all? Is an additive recommended to prevent slipping if I do go with superseal matte?
The Matte has a sheen. Try the Surebund SB-6000.
https://www.concretesealerstore.com/sb-6000-wet-look-sealer-1-gallon.html
If I choose the matte, should I add anything to reduce slipperiness?Or will it not increase the sickness of the patio when wet?
It is typically not slippery when wet but this could vary on how thick it is applied.
I don’t see a product mentioned in reply section——-sb6000. What is it and why no pictures.
Yes it can be same for both. It cannot be tinted to a wood grain look.
I want to seal an aggregate walkway and a stamped concrete patio. Can same product be used on both? Can sealer be tinted to give stamped concrete a wood grain look?
Which SuperSeal? There are different types.
What kind of product is Superseal–need to know directions for applying