Best Sealers for Exposed Aggregate

My Best Sealers to Use for Exposed Aggregate

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.

Top Exposed Aggregate Sealers

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

  1. Clean the surface with a pressure washer to remove dirt.
  2. Use a concrete cleaner to remove stains such as grease or rust if needed.
  3. 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

  1. Using a roller, apply sealer and a spread rate of 100-150 sq. feet per gallon, making sure not to puddle the sealer.
  2. Let dry for 1-3 hours.
  3. 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.

author avatar
Scott Paul Concrete Sealer Pro Owner
Scott only carries concrete sealing and restoration products that perform best based on his experience using the products and his 30+ years of helping others. Scott has been approached about selling numerous restoration products through the years but selects only the products he has used and trusts to perform.
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Amir
Amir
3 months ago

can we add some paint to the sealer?

Drew Kilpatrick
3 months ago

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.

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Ben
Ben
4 months ago

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?

Ben
Ben
4 months ago

First pic is dry, second is wet. Thanks!

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Jan
Jan
5 months ago

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??

Chas
Chas
1 year ago

I want to seal my exposed aggregate sidewalk and steps. Is Super Seal 30 slippery when wet?

Dav
Dav
1 year ago

What product to use to remove food Greece on concrete drivee way. 

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

Thanks 

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

One more question,  what type of rust remover do I use, I have a small spot of rust from my picnic table.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

I presently have cure&Seal 25(solvent base)on the exposed aggregate. Can I put the super m right over it?

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

Will this product change the color of the exposed aggregate? Presently my concrete looks natural.

Joe
Joe
1 year ago

Is Cure&Seal 25 a good product.

Gary
Gary
1 year ago

What do recommend around pool deck in hot sun light

Stan Lee
Stan Lee
2 years ago

Can SuperSeal 30 be applied over Prosoco Durasheen that is 3 years old?

Chris
Chris
2 years ago

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?

Doug
Doug
2 years ago

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.

Margaret L Burner
Margaret L Burner
3 years ago

I am interested in a penetrating sealer for my exposed aggregate driveway. Any suggestions as to which one is best?

Margaret Burner
Margaret Burner
3 years ago

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?

Jeannie
Jeannie
3 years ago

Our driveway is new. Exposed aggregate. Also 1100 square feet. What is the best prep we can do before sealing?

Karen
Karen
3 years ago

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?

Karen
Karen
3 years ago

Will this be slippery when dry?

Angelo
Angelo
3 years ago

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. 

Joann
Joann
3 years ago

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.         

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3 years ago

Can you provide a comparison between your Superseal 30 and Eagle Premium Exposed Aggregate Sealer.

 Jim
Jim
3 years ago

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.

Jim
Jim
3 years ago

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?

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

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

Paul
Paul
3 years ago

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?  

Barb Zarna
Barb Zarna
3 years ago

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?

Frank Trainer
Frank Trainer
4 years ago

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

Raechel Diggins
Raechel Diggins
4 years ago

What is the best product to use in exposed agg for around a pool

Jeff
Jeff
4 years ago

Can these be applied in the direct sunlight?

jerome oleary
jerome oleary
4 years ago

Is there a store near Tacoma Washington>

Jerome
Jerome
4 years ago

does sealing exposed ag. concrete make it more slick and increase the possibility of slipping???

Mark
Mark
4 years ago

Is there a store near Macomb, MI that sells the SuperSeal PRODUCTS??

juan
juan
4 years ago

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?

Dan
Dan
4 years ago

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?

LaRhonda
LaRhonda
5 years ago

We have this on our kitchen and hall. What would you suggest to clean it & to coat it for a cleaner look.

Victor Jordan
Victor Jordan
6 years ago

Can I use SuperSeal on my exposed aggregate pool deck? I just read online that this product should not be used near a pool.

Nick schutzius
Nick schutzius
6 years ago

Can a person use an electric sprayer to apply an aggregate sealer?

Amanda
Amanda
6 years ago

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?

Amanda
Amanda
6 years ago

If I choose the matte, should I add anything to reduce slipperiness?Or will it not increase the sickness of the patio when wet?

Ron
Ron
6 years ago

I don’t see a product mentioned in reply section——-sb6000. What is it and why no pictures.

William
William
7 years ago

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?

Ralph Marcellus
Ralph Marcellus
9 years ago

What kind of product is Superseal–need to know directions for applying