Sealing A Driveway vs Coating It

A well-maintained driveway does more than provide a safe surface for vehicles; it significantly boosts your home’s curb appeal and property value. Over time, sun exposure, heavy traffic, and harsh weather conditions wear down the surface of your asphalt or concrete driveway, leading to cracks, fading, and deterioration. That’s why driveway maintenance is essential for protecting your investment and keeping your driveway looking brand new.

If you’ve been wondering how to coat a driveway or searching for a practical DIY guide on how to seal an asphalt or concrete driveway, you’ve come to the right place. The process requires proper preparation and the right products to ensure long-lasting results. At Armor Garage, we make this easy with our premium asphalt/concrete color coating solution designed for DIY users who want a professional finish without hiring contractors.

You can use an off-the-shelf sealer or stain on your driveway for short-term protection, or you can use a high-quality, high-performance coating that’s more of a permanent solution. Our Surface Bond cures to form a thick, super-tough layer on the surface of your driveway, while also penetrating it to create an unbreakable bond. While sealers and stains are water-thin and reside mostly below the surface, they wear off much quicker than you can hope for leaving a ghost like appearance.

Why Coating Your Asphalt or Concrete Driveway Matters

Newly installed asphalt paving starts smooth and black, and concrete is nice and clean-looking, but over time, UV rays, water infiltration, and vehicle fluids stain and break it down. Without proper protection, cracks and potholes form, reducing both the lifespan and appearance of your driveway surface.

This simple step of using the right quality coating, rather than a sealer or stain, extends the life of your asphalt pavement or concrete surfaces. Our Surface Bond asphalt and concrete coating is many times thicker than any sealer and will outlast sealers by a factor of 4:1. Sealers and stains are what we call a 'kick the can down the road' driveway solution. They’re inexpensive and can temporarily alleviate your issues. But they always come back. That’s where Surface Bonds shines. It's made to last and can be applied in many different colors, not just black. It’s also nontoxic, unlike most asphalt sealers on the market.

Common Problems Without Sealing or Coating

Failing to seal or coat your driveway and other asphalt or concrete surfaces leads to costly repairs and time-consuming maintenance. Here are some common issues unprotected outdoor surfaces face:

• Cracks and Small Holes Develope – These allow water to seep below the paved surface, causing expansion damage during freeze-thaw cycles.
• Potholes and Patch Repairs – When left untreated, cracks evolve into potholes that require expensive fixes. Popular residential grade patch products always seem to crack or chip out. See our concrete and asphalt repair products that go into cracks and holes and never come out.
• Stains and Oil Damage – Gasoline, oil, and chemical spills soak into unprotected asphalt and concrete surfaces, weakening their integrity not to mention their appearances.

By applying Armor Garage’s Surface Bond coating, you prevent these problems and maintain a smooth, durable driveway, walkway, public area or any other asphalt or concrete surface for years.

How to Coat a Driveway Yourself

The good news is that coating your driveway doesn’t require a contractor. With the right tools and Armor Garage’s Surface bond coating, you can achieve the same results on your own. Here’s what the process looks like:

1. Clean the Surface Thoroughly

Remove dirt, dust, and oil stains with TSP and a power washer. Remove oil stains by scrubbing in some Liquid Tide with Muriatic acid. A clean surface ensures the coating bonds properly.

2. Repair Cracks and Holes

Before applying Surface Bond, fill any gaps using ArmorGarage Crack & Joint Compound on concrete or ArmorGarage Asphalt patch filler. This prevents water infiltration and structural damage.

3. Apply the Surface Bond Coating

Once your driveway or other surface is clean and repaired, apply Armor Garage’s Surface Bond evenly in two coats. Surface Bond can be applied with roller, flat squeegee, sprayer or combination of any of the three. 

4. Allow Proper Drying Time

After coating, allow adequate time for the coating to cure. This ensures a strong, long-lasting finish that protects your driveway from weather and traffic.

Unlike DIY attempts with inexpensive hardware-store products, Armor Garage offers commercial-grade coatings, making the process straightforward while delivering professional, long-lasting, and beautiful results.

Why Choose Armor Garage DIY Kits Over Hiring Contractors?

Hiring a contractor can be expensive and often unnecessary when you have access to professional-quality products. Armor Garage offers:

• High-Performance Coatings – Our formulas provide long-lasting protection against water, oil, and UV rays. They outperform all sealers and stains.
• Complete DIY Kits – Everything you need for coating is included, no extra trips to the store.
• Cost Savings – Save thousands compared to professional services and get a higher quality finished product.
• Ease of Application – Designed for homeowners, our products ensure a clean, even finish without specialized equipment.

When it comes to asphalt and concrete maintenance, our DIY solutions give you full control, save money, and deliver results that last.

How Often Should You Seal Your Driveway?

Depending on traffic level, Surface Bond should last up to 10 years or more before needing a single refresher coat.  If you ever sealed or stained your driveway, you know  they only last a fraction of that. H

Coating with Surface Bond is significantly cheaper in the long run than using store bought sealers and stains, not to mention the time and effort it saves. 

Understanding the Materials

Unlike basic sealants found at local stores, Armor Garage Surface Bond is formulated for heavy-duty performance. Our products resist peeling, cracking,  weathering, and wearing from tire abrasion, while maintaining flexibility. Combined with our patch material and filler, you get superior coverage and long-lasting protection across every square foot of your asphalt and concrete surfaces.

Final Thoughts

Protecting your driveway or any other concrete or asphalt surface, is essential for enhancing curb appeal and preventing expensive repairs. 

At Armor Garage, we specialize in top-tier coatings of all kinds, all designed to be first time user friendly and super long lasting.  For more information or to get started, contact us today!