Concrete Sealer Reviews, Articles, How-To Tips

ExposedExposed 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. It can be 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 a color loss, pitting, cracking, and leave the surface exposed to stains from spills.

Cleaning and prepping the aggregate surface prior to 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. Use a degreaser on oil spots and rust remover on irrigation rust stains if necessary.

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.

Most exposed aggregate sealers will last 1-2 years depending on climate, traffic, and type of sealer used. Protecting your exposed aggregate concrete surfaces with a quality concrete sealer will enhance their natural beauty and give lasting protection for extended use.

Best Sealers to Use for Exposed Aggregate:

If you have any questions on sealing exposed aggregate patios and driveways, please ask below.

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    Chas · 09/19/2023
    I want to seal my exposed aggregate sidewalk and steps. Is Super Seal 30 slippery when wet?
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 09/19/2023
      This would vary based on how many coats are applied and how porous the surface is. Typically, not slippery.
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    Dav · 08/12/2023
    What product to use to remove food Greece on concrete drivee way. 
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    Joe · 08/01/2023
    Thanks 
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    Joe · 08/01/2023
    One more question,  what type of rust remover do I use, I have a small spot of rust from my picnic table.
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    Joe · 08/01/2023
    I presently have cure&Seal 25(solvent base)on the exposed aggregate. Can I put the super m right over it?
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 08/01/2023
      As long as the old coating has not discolored, it should be fine.
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    Joe · 08/01/2023
    Will this product change the color of the exposed aggregate? Presently my concrete looks natural.
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    Joe · 08/01/2023
    Is Cure&Seal 25 a good product.
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    Gary · 07/13/2023
    What do recommend around pool deck in hot sun light
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    Stan Lee · 10/01/2022
    Can SuperSeal 30 be applied over Prosoco Durasheen that is 3 years old?
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    Chris · 08/20/2022
    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?
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    Doug · 05/29/2022
    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.
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    Margaret L Burner · 10/28/2021
    I am interested in a penetrating sealer for my exposed aggregate driveway. Any suggestions as to which one is best?
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    Jeannie · 07/29/2021
    Our driveway is new. Exposed aggregate. Also 1100 square feet. What is the best prep we can do before sealing?
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    Karen · 07/01/2021
    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?
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    Angelo · 06/15/2021
    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. 
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    Joann · 05/07/2021
    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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    James Sabo · 04/30/2021
    Can you provide a comparison between your Superseal 30 and Eagle Premium Exposed Aggregate Sealer.
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    Jim · 04/29/2021
    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.
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 04/29/2021
      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.
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        Jim · 04/29/2021
        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?
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          ConcreteSealerStore · 04/29/2021
          Only way to tel is by visual. Just roll it on. Any quality roller will work. No discounts..
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    Paul · 04/23/2021
    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
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    Barb Zarna · 03/29/2021
    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?
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 03/30/2021
      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.
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    Frank Trainer · 09/28/2020
    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
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 09/28/2020
      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.
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    Raechel Diggins · 09/26/2020
    What is the best product to use in exposed agg for around a pool
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    Jeff · 07/26/2020
    Can these be applied in the direct sunlight?
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    jerome oleary · 06/06/2020
    Is there a store near Tacoma Washington>
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    Jerome · 06/06/2020
    does sealing exposed ag. concrete make it more slick and increase the possibility of slipping???
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    Mark · 05/17/2020
    Is there a store near Macomb, MI that sells the SuperSeal PRODUCTS??
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 05/17/2020
      Only our store in Bloomfield Hills, MI.

      2388 Franklin Rd
      Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
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    juan · 04/20/2020
    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?
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    Dan · 03/26/2020
    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?
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    LaRhonda · 12/15/2018
    We have this on our kitchen and hall. What would you suggest to clean it & to coat it for a cleaner look.
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    Victor Jordan · 10/04/2018
    Can I use SuperSeal on my exposed aggregate pool deck? I just read online that this product should not be used near a pool.
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      ConcreteSealerStore · 10/04/2018
      You can use it around a pool. You can always add the Super Grip if you are worried about traction.