Floor coatings · by surface/Driveway / carport
Driveway / carport
Driveways and carports bake in the sun and carry hot tires. Use a hot-tire-rated xylene or acrylic stain on concrete, or a clear sealer on pavers.
- Many services same day/walk-in
- Local experts in Delray Beach
At a glance
- Suitable products: Xylene concrete coating & stain, Water-based concrete coating & stain, Sealer
- Difficulty: 3/5
Best way to prep
- Pressure wash and remove oil
- Etch smooth or previously sealed concrete
- Let dry fully — 24 hours or more
- Remove efflorescence on pavers
Tips
- Apply in the cool of the morning, not midday sun
- Keep cars off until the drive-on time
- Mix non-skid additive into the final coat as a safety measure to reduce slipping
Products to consider
Recommended for driveway / carport
Rating key
- Cost$ budget → $$$$ premium
- Strength1 light duty → 5 heavy duty
- LifespanYears before recoating
- Look1 basic → 5 showroom
- Dry timeWalk-on · drive-on · recoat
Tuff Top · Xylene concrete coating & stain
Tuff Top Xylene Concrete Coating
Driveways and carports where cars park
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2–4 hours · Drive 24–48 hours · Recoat 1–2 hours
Features
- Hot-tire resistant
- Bites into concrete
- Recoats into itself
Upside
- Handles cars and sun
- Fast dry
- Easy to refresh later
Downside
- Strong solvent odor — respirator needed
- Not for enclosed spaces
Apply with: Roller or sprayer
INSL-X · Xylene concrete coating & stain
INSL-X TuffCrete Solvent Acrylic Concrete Stain
Driveways, patios and pool decks
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2 hours · Drive 24–48 hours · Recoat 2 hours
Features
- Xylene-based solvent acrylic stain
- Waterproofing
- Hot-tire resistant
Upside
- Penetrates deep into concrete
- Fast drying
- Natural stained look
Downside
- Stain shows the concrete underneath — it won't hide patches
Apply with: Roller, brush or sprayer
Tuff Top · Sealer
Tuff Top Concrete Sealer
Pavers and bare concrete you want to protect, not cover
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- 2–3 years
- Look
- Dry time
- Walk 2–4 hours · Drive 24 hours · Recoat 1–2 hours
Features
- Clear
- Enhances color
- Locks in paver joint sand
Upside
- Keeps the natural look
- Makes stains easier to clean
Downside
- Doesn't hide cracks or stains
- Needs resealing every few years
Apply with: Pump sprayer or roller
Richard's Paint · Sealer
Richard's 51 Paver Seal Clear Gloss Sealer
Brick pavers and exterior concrete — wet-look gloss
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- —
- Look
- Dry time
- Ask the store
Features
- Solvent acrylic
- Clear gloss, wet look
- Non-yellowing
- Hot-tire resistant
Upside
- Penetrates and seals
- Resists oil, grease and stains
- Enhances paver color
Downside
- Exterior use only
- Solvent odor — ventilate
Apply with: Brush, roller or low-pressure sprayer
Richard's Paint · Sealer
Richard's 54 Shield's All HP Concrete & Paver Sealer
Low-odor clear gloss for pavers, patios, pool decks and garages
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- Lifespan
- —
- Look
- Dry time
- Ask the store
Features
- Water-based self-crosslinking acrylic
- Clear gloss
- Hot-tire resistant
- Interior & exterior
Upside
- Low odor, water cleanup
- Can clear-coat over colored floor coatings
- Wear and moisture resistant
Downside
- Gloss can be slick when wet — add non-skid
Apply with: Roller or sprayer
Rhino Hide · Non-skid additive
Rhino Hide Non-Skid Additive — Coarse
Adding grip to any floor coating — especially pool decks, ramps and wet areas
- Cost
- $$$$
- Strength
- —
- Lifespan
- As long as the coating
- Look
- —
- Dry time
- Walk Follows the coating · Drive Follows the coating · Recoat —
Features
- Coarse grit
- Works in most floor coatings
Upside
- Safer footing when wet
- Cheap insurance
Downside
- Rougher to clean than a smooth floor
Apply with: Stir into the final coat
Ratings and dry times are typical values — confirm with our counter staff for your conditions.