There are two types of wet look paver sealers that can be used to give pavers a wet look finish. The first type of wet look sealer will penetrate into the surface of the pavers and slightly enhance the color without leaving a surface film, and the second type of wet look sealer will darken the surface of the concrete and leave behind a visible low to high gloss surface film. The type of wet look sealer that is best for your pavers will depend entirely on what you want the pavers to look like once sealed, and what you need the sealer to offer in terms of performance.
The first type of paver sealers is a water repellent sealer designed to slightly enhance the color of the pavers without leaving a surface film. The exact color change will be dependent on several factors which is why it is always suggested to apply the sealer to a test area first. The best wet look paver sealer for achieving this look is the Armor WL550. Your pavers will not be as dark as they are when wet, but you will notice a slight color enhancement. In additional to a color enhancement, the Armor WL550 will help to reduce staining, damage, and deterioration caused by water absorption. The Armor WL550 does not leave a surface film so the surface of the pavers is sill exposed to abrasion. The Armor WL550 is a great wet look sealer if you are looking for a sealer that slightly enhances the color, and won’t require yearly maintenance. Here are a few facts about the Armor WL550:
- It will slightly enhance the color of the pavers to provide a soft wet look finish
- It won’t leave behind a surface film and requires little to no annual maintenance
- It will last up to 5-7 years before the need to reseal, but can be resealed sooner to maintain an enhanced finish
- Will reduce the absorption of water and liquids on the surface by up to 95%
- Will help to reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption, snow and ice
If you want a true wet look sealer, or want a protective gloss surface film, then you want a solvent based acrylic wet look sealer like the Armor AR350 or Armor AR500. The Armor AR350 is a low gloss wet look sealer and the Armor AR500 is a high gloss wet look sealer. Both types of wet look sealers will darken the pavers to make them look wet, they will protect the surface against staining and deterioration, and they provide a gloss finish. Their chemical formulations are almost identical, the main difference between them is simply the level of gloss.
Pavers are very porous and soak up more material than concrete. For that reason, a gloss finish won’t be as glossy as it would be if applied to concrete. The Armor AR350 will be more of a satin finish and the AR500 more of a low to mid-gloss. There are a few things that can be done to achieve the highest level of gloss possible, but it is important to understand that porosity is a large determining factor. To achieve a higher level of gloss, apply two generous coats and space the coats out 24 hours. For exact application instructions, or questions about gloss, it is always best to contact a Foundation Armor technician prior to application. It is also suggest to apply the product to a small test area so you have a clear understanding of what the end product will look like. Both types of wet look sealers are very common sealers for pavers. Here are a few facts about the Armor AR350 and Armor AR500:
- They will darken the pavers to make them look wet
- They will provide a protective gloss finish to the surface
- They will reduce damage and deterioration caused by water absorption and surface abrasion
- They will reduce dusting caused by surface abrasion
- They will provide up to 1-3 years of life before the need to reseal
How to Apply a Wet Look Paver Sealer
When it comes to applying a wet look paver sealer, application is very important. It can determine what the pavers look like once sealed and how long the paver sealer will last. Properly applying a wet look sealer can also reduce the chances of sealer failure.
Before cleaning the concrete you want to make sure that the sealer you are putting down is compatible with the pavers. If the pavers are unsealed, there are no issues. If the pavers have previously been sealed with a penetrating sealer or an acrylic sealer, it is best to contact a technician first to verify compatibility. It is also important to make sure your pavers can be sealed. If your pavers are less than a year old, check with the manufacturer to make sure it is ok to seal them. Some paver manufactures suggest you wait at least a year before sealing.
Once you have verified that you are able to seal your pavers, you want to make sure the pavers are clean and dry. If you attempt to apply a wet look sealer to wet pavers, it will result in delamination. Delamination is when the product turns white because it was not able to properly bond or cure. If you wet the pavers in order to clean them, you need to let them dry for at least 24 hours. The longer you can allow the pavers to dry, the better. It is important to keep in mind that just because the surface looks dry, it does not mean that all the water has been able to escape from the pores. It is also important to keep in mind that you can not dry the pavers with the use of a blower or fan. Time is the best way to allow pavers to properly dry. If you are using a cleaner, consult a technician first to make sure the cleaner is ok to use. If you are using a cleaner that will change the PH of the pavers, or leave a surface residue, additional steps may be required.
After the pavers have been cleaned and allowed to dry, you can star to apply the sealer. Again, it is always suggest to apply the sealer to a test area first. Not only does this allow you to see what the pavers will look like once sealed, but it gives you the opportunity to work with the material and become comfortable with it before applying it to a large area. Each product comes with a set of application instructions that goes over the application steps in detail. For any questions, technicians are always available to help. Once the product has been applied, you want to allow it 36 hours to dry. During that time, do not walk on it or get it wet.
So which paver sealer is the best wet look sealer? If you want a slight enhancement and don’t want to maintain a coating, then you want the WL550. If you want the pavers too look like they look when wet but don’t want a lot of gloss, then you want the Armor AR350. If you want the pavers to look like they look when wet and want a higher level of gloss, then you want the Armor AR500.
One of the most common questions we get is, “Why can’t I use a water based sealer?” Water based acrylic sealers are not designed to give a wet look finish. They will provide a gloss finish, but they will not darken the pavers to make them look wet. Some contractors will use a water based urethane but on an exterior surface, urethanes can be a nightmare. Urethanes trap moisture below the surface, and pavers allow for large amounts of moisture to ass through. As sub-surface moisture builds up, delamination can occur. Urethanes are also harder to maintain and often require grinding or scuffing before recoats. Urethane coatings like the Armor UTN60 are fantastic when used on interior applications, but the best type of coating for an exterior application is a breathable acrylic or water repellent sealer.
Where to Buy Wet Look Paver Sealers
The above wet look sealers can be purchased from several online companies including:
