Life is funny some times.

@@RADGarage I'm putting in a new back patio. Do I install brick pavers or exposed aggregate? I live in Michigan & like both

@@8corymix8 Sorry, just saw this. Which way did you go?

Yes, it seems my style is catching on with others. It's flattering. Thanks for being such a supportive viewer and I hope you will catch the podcast I'm about to take part in over at Throttle Body Media's channel. Starts at 6:30 CST/5:30 MST.

That’s solid advice. I just bought a new bucket of it. I remember when it cost $115. The good ol’ days.

Al Koenig Haha. Yeah, it was so cool of you to stop by! Let me know when that P-car of yours needs some pampering.

Yes, using a sealer is crucial to prolong the life of your exposed aggregate driveway. It protects it and makes it look like a wet riverbed.

It's sad how much I love my driveway. LOL

@@RADGarage This part of the video sold me into doing this to my exposed aggregate. It looks brand new!! I now love my driveway! Thank you so much!!

It is worth all the effort to see the driveway glisten in the evening sun!

My wife didn't agree when I just told her this.

I swear, nothing is more exciting to me these days than home maintenance projects. I used to be cool at one point in my life. 🤷‍♂️

@@RADGarage Same here! I am constantly working on my house. People make fun of me all the time, but I don't care.

Don't you worry about them slobs! 😂

@@RADGarage LOL

It is as easy as painting a wall. Just try to spread the material out as evenly as you can.

Mike Spina That’s exactly what I was going for. 99% of population = that was boring. The other 1% = mesmerized!

RAD GARAGE count me in for mesmerized! LOL😂😂😂

It's heart wrenching when you see the conversion rate on items you really have your mind set on. But, at least we get incredibly cold winters.

Blows my mind. Thanks!

It sure is!

I don't think our builder waited any specific amount of time before having our new driveway sealed. I think you should be in great shape if the drive and walkways have been poured for more than two months. It's actually easy work, just take your time and make sure you have enough quality rollers suited for rough surfaces. All the best.

I just bought Sealant in 2023 and it now costs 230. Inflation sucks. Great job.

Rolling is a much better method. Good luck with your project.

It’s as easy as painting a wall.

Thanks Tim. It doesn't matter what project I am doing, there's a part of me that needs to capture it on video in a creative and fluid way. It adds time to the process, but the final effect is always worth it to me. I'm glad viewers such as yourself appreciate the camera work I do.

Thanks Mike. I agree that the driveway needs to be as nice as the garage it leads to. There seems to be an even split on my street between those that really care about this kind of thing and those that just don't really give it any thought. I'm sure you can tell which faction I belong to! Yes, the 10K mark fast approaches. It's pretty cool to think how far this channel has come and its entirely because of viewers like you that are always taking the time to watch and chat. Hope you are having a great weekend Mike.

Yes, the roller is the only way to go. It's easier than painting a wall.

Thanks Chandra. I am contemplating doing another selling this summer.

That's awesome! One more protected driveway in the world brings me immense joy and relief! 🙏

It's getting to the point where I don't even know if I will be bother with a lawn. The salt that gets into the snow is just murdering my lawn. Plus, we have these little creatures called "voles" that burrow into the grass under the snowbanks all winter long and create these elaborate tunnel systems that just look horrendous. I might be heading to a hard landscape design in the future. But, my driveway looks like a wet riverbed!

RAD GARAGE We had dry garden when we lived in Scottsdale in the 90s. Consisting of nice rocks and gravel. Looked fine.

That's where things are heading for me. I just don't need the aggravation every year.

Thanks. It is one household task I thoroughly enjoy!

Thank you! Cheers!

Oh yeah, there's all kinds of rebar under the slab. I don't know if there's anything that can be done to prevent cracks from concrete up here. You see them EVERYWHERE. The contractors/developers claim it is inevitable with our constant and harsh freeze/thaw cycles, but I don't know if that's true or they just lack the skill and innovation to think around the issue. At any rate, my driveway is the envy of the street!

Imma try that next time.

So, I went to the store for the sealer and they didn't have any new paint rollers (all sold out). I decided I would use the ones I had at home because I don't like going into stores with the current Covid situation. I swapped rollers half way through and I got there in the end. Saved me a trip and saved me some money! I had a few neighbors approach me about the process and I told them to go watch the video. It must look weird to passersby when I have my video equipment out while doing these things!

I have only used this particular sealer in my experience. I like it, but am always open to new opportunities. Are you liking it?

@@RADGarage I live in Saskatoon so I have similar weather challenges. The 300xs has 30% solids so it’s a little thicker and looks good (just applied this weekend). We’ll see I guess.

I think one notable difference between the winters here in Calgary versus yours in Saskatoon is that we tend to have more fluctuations between warm and cold winter days. Seriously, no two days are the same here. I think that takes a real toll on sealers. My impression is that your weather is a bit more stable. Would you agree?

@@RADGarage I would 💯, very dry and very cold. Not many fluctuations until March.

Thanks. I think it will stand up well to whatever the northern Alberta winter can throw its way! I do mine every two years. Take care.

Me overzealous? No. 😉

Depending on what kind of directly sunlight you get, it may even be advisable to do it every year. Whatever the case, you will love the look and feel of the aggregate. Such a nice step up from swept concrete.

That sucks. Good news is, those inferior quality sealants tend to wear away pretty quickly.

@@RADGarage been down there for a week and it looks horrible. Wearing and fogging. Gonna return an $80 gallon and start over. It's what happens when you hire a 70 year old uncle that builds homes but never does any finishing, I guess.

I'm sure he had good intentions. I picked up my sealer yesterday. The price has skyrocketed to $220. Ten years ago, the same sealer was $90.

@@RADGarage I'm curious, when you pressure wash does it take off old sealer or just clean the existing sealer? I'm debating on how to get the fogged up sealer out of the aggregate.

I am not entirely sure, but anything that hits the driveway is having some effect on the sealer. I would need to conduct a test to see, but a cheap sealer will probably come off after a few pressure washes. There are just so many factors that impact the effectiveness of a sealer, it is hard to say. You should send me a pic to radgarageyyc@gmail.com to cure my curiosity on what it looks like.

I am not finding the broom as effective for pressure washing as my spray wand. I do some pretty complicated arcs and sweeps with that wand that I just don't think the broom can handle! I do love it for the undercarriage though.

Yes, that sounds like the right stuff if you want your driveway to look glossy and be well protected.

I find there are portions that lack uniformity. Not sure what causes that, but as the sealer begins to wear down, it ends up evening out enough that I don’t even notice it. What would you do to strip it off?

@@RADGarage lol no clue. I used brown cap Sutfkoat. I’m probably going to just do another coat in the fall on that sidewalk. The rest of it looks really really good. Has a nice gloss look

Looks good AND it is protected from the elements!

Thanks. I am contemplating doing it this year but I don’t want too much sealer to build up because it can then take on a murky appearance. I also do my little walkway and front steps when I do the driveway. Thanks for watching and good luck with your project. 🤘

That's cool. In this neighborhood, the contest is to see who can have the shiniest driveway. I'm in first place! 🏅

Hey mate. Fellow Aussie here. I'm planning on doing exposed concered at my ace in Brisbane. Dot you have any regrets or tips for this kind of concerete?

The flooring is a modular plastic tile system called Swisstrax. Here's more info: www.radgarage.ca/swisstrax-floor.html

I reapply every 2-3 years but I’m a bit weird. You can wash this daily and the sealant will sustain it no problem. As long as you use a high-grade sealer. The one I prefer runs $225 for the 5 gallon bucket. Worth it to spend more.

Thanks. It is not too bad on the exposed aggregate. If it’s wet I wouldn’t suggest running on it. I once applied it on the smooth stamped concrete section and that was lethally slippery. I also use it on the smooth garage floor and that’s a death trap but I have Swisstrax on top of it.

Oh, you either LOVE me or HATE me. That has been established over the years.

I have an exposed aggregate patio in the backyard that gets baked by the sun all year long. It is looking quite worn out and I am confident a coat of this high gloss acrylic sealer will bring its appearance back to life while also providing it with added protection. I would be hesitant to recommend a high gloss sealer for concrete around a pool area just because I see that creating a slippery surface. I have never researched it myself, but I have been told there are additives you can use in a sealer to make it less slippery when wet. I recommend finding a concrete supply firm in your area and seeing what they recommend as these type of recommendations are often based on local conditions.

It does become a slight bit slippery, but not slippery enough I fear people falling.

Glad you enjoyed it I have zero experience with asphalt driveways. I imagine its porous nature would make achieving a glossy appearance tricky. My advice would be to reach out to Northlands Construction and see what they recommend. Link in the description below. Even if you’re not in Canada, I think it’s worth calling them. They know their stuff.

If you like the shine you should use a company who use oil based sealers like Black Mac. This should not be used on top of a driveway that has existing sealed driveway that is not the same type of product as the end product may potentially not cure properly.

Pick the nicest day you can. I much prefer the control and even coverage a roller provides. I only do one coat. I wish you luck!

That's a good question. I always count on the pressure of the water to get things clean enough. Have you already attempted to rid the driveway of the moss with your pressure washer? The sealer cures quickly. You can walk on it very soon after applying (1 hour), but I always play it safe and keep cars off it for two days.

@@RADGarage i haven't tried yet with just the pressure washer, was hoping to save myself from doing it twice if it ends up needing some kind of cleaner or bleach. I'll try with the pressure washer first. Thanks for your advice.

I'm just a guy who learns as he goes! I hope the one pass is enough for you.

AR I’m glad to hear it. I don’t think sealing smooth concrete is necessary to be honest. A neighbour did it years ago and his portion of the sidewalk has always looked weird. I would only recommend hitting the aggregate with a sealer. Others may disagree, but that’s my take on it.

@@RADGarage thanks, maybe I'll try it on a small patch and see what happens. Wish I could post a picture of the walkway. Its different and difficult to describe.

@@AR-ke8wg You can always send me a message to www.radgarage.ca/contact.html

@@RADGarage thanks I sent you a picture.

I have been a driveway consultant for many of my neighbors. I have heard of people using this product with one of those pump air sprayers, but I just think that would be a major pain and ensuring you have even coverage is just so easy and simple with the roller.

Yes, this video is a little out of the norm for my channel., but maintenance projects like this are what I spend a lot of time doing when I don't have cars to detail!

I’ve been quoted $750-$1000 by pros in the area. I find that ludicrous but that’s the way of the world these days.

John Christian Good question. I am planning on pulling out the Swisstrax floor and sealing the entire garage floor that sits under the tiles. I just want the driveway to completely cure first. Maybe next weekend. The regular concrete looks amazing with a coat of sealer on it. I’ll be sure to post some pics on my website and instagram.

@@RADGarage thanks that makes sense. I also have swisstrax and your cleaning videos have made it easier for me to clean out all the Midwest sand from the winter!

Thanks. I use a low nap roller. 1/4” works great. The longer nap rollers start to “shed” fibres as the sealer is quite sticky.

@@RADGarage that's very helpful, thanks for the quick turn around!

@@numerousid6478 Anytime. Get a few rollers because depending on the quality, they can deteriorate quickly. I usually go through 3 or 4.

Are foam rollers more effective in achieving results?

I roll right over the cracks if they are thin. For me, living in a climate where we get sub-zero temps, I want to avoid water accumulating in the cracks and then freezing and expanding, making the crack worse. So, on wider cracks, I use a silicone to fill them. For the hairlines, I think having a good amount of sealant in there will help prevent them worsening. So, depending what climate you are battling, it may be a good idea to fill the wider ones. The biggest saving grace of a sealer on aggregate is to protect the unprotected surface from sun and water damage. Sadly, cracks are unavoidable where I am due the freeze/thaw cycle and ground swell. Luckily, I only have a couple.

Thanks! I linked to the actual sealer in the video description section. It is a high gloss acrylic sealer I source from a local form called NCA.

After a week, my new driveway was sealed and it looked amazing. Have faith.

I have no experience with coloured tinting or coating concrete but I think it is quite easy. Check this website: nutechpaint.com.au/coatings-concrete-all-products/

Hmmm, that is question I never anticipated getting. I guess it would be possible, but you will probably not get crisp edges on your lines. Sealing it first will make it hard for any paint you use to adhere. This might be one I need to ask a friend about.

RAD GARAGE I’d really appreciate it. I’ve been searching everywhere on how to paint an aggregate driveway into a basketball half court. Any chance you could email me at ? Thanks again!

I think you may be the trailblazer in this. I can't seem to find any information regarding painting on an aggregate driveway. I say must go for it. If you mess up, I bet a good pressure washer would be able to remove any paint. Good luck!

RAD GARAGE do you think it’s possible to paint it like regular concrete? If it were you, what paint would you use to paint with? Should I use some kind of primer first? Thanks again

Honestly, I don't have a clue. You'd be best to ask a paint store professional.

Yes, the driveway can be slippery when wet for a few weeks after the sealer is applied. That’s part of the reason I like to do it in the late-Spring because if there’s snow on the driveway, it can be deceptively slick. By the time winter rolls around, things are way less slippery. I have a stamped concrete border on one side of my driveway that I don’t seal any longer because it becomes super slippery.

Opinions are split on this. I have only ever done a single coat, but I may experiment this year with doing a double coat. I have heard rumour that two coats can create a "murky" or "milky" appearance so I have always stuck with a single coat. There's nothing preventing someone from doing two. It's an interesting question.

You are going to caulk the cracks?

Honestly, I'm not sure but my theory would be that a quality sealer would add gloss to a faded portion of an exposed aggregate driveway.

Congrats on the new house. When you say “gaps” are you referring to cracks or the expansion joints?

RAD GARAGE : thank you. They are expansion joints. I filled in some with play sand which has hardened. But worried if water might seep into the cracks and cause some damage

toniepaiva I keep those joints clear of debris and just ensure they are sealed by using a little paint brush to lay down the sealer.

I find the driveways that are the most damaged are the ones that have never seen a single pressure wash. The salty dirt from winter fills in the cracks in the aggregate and erodes the finish as it freezes and thaws. There is no one is the neighborhood that has pressured washed their driveway more than me and my driveway is in perfect condition minus a few little pebbles that have broken off over the years.

The weather eventually erodes the layer of sealant. I think it helps with preventing cracks by stopping water from seeping into the divots and freezing thus causing cracks. That's my theory at least. I used an epoxy to fill one crack and then sealed right over top of it once it was dry. It seems to have done the trick.

Midnight Mystery It looked like this from the day of installation. The ones that aren’t maintained start to look flat and lose their pebbly texture.

@@RADGarage Oh ok. It seems each region uses different types of concrete. That pebbly stuff seems to last a long time though. My driveway looks like it's from the 1960's and still looks good. I hate asphalt driveways. They look terrible after 10 years.

Midnight Mystery No one has asphalt driveways here. The freeze/thaw cycle would destroy them.

@@RADGarage Ok. Never been to Canada. I live in New Orleans and lived in Mississippi for a few years. In Mississippi, everyone used asphalt. I hated that stuff. Not to mention it does snow there once or twice a year. In New Orleans, we mostly use concrete. Most concrete driveways are original from the 1960's when the part of town I live in was developed. That stuff lasts!

Concrete is an amazing substance. My Grandmother's house had the most amazing driveway and sidewalk that dated back to the 40's. They don't make it like that anymore. Modern concrete work in this city begins crumbling in a few years. It really is pathetic.

If you’re in Canada I would STRONGLY encourage you to use the sealer I have linked down in the description. It’s the only one I would bother using.

Not in Canada. Mid-Atlantic, US.

John Whitney I would do a search for acrylic high gloss concrete sealer in your area.

I'm doing good. We just got a new puppy so I've been pretty busy with that. I have a new project coming soon. It's a car I have done in the past, but this time I'll be using some new and exciting products.

RAD GARAGE Hi !! Good !! I’m glad everyone is ok!! All the best! 👍💪👍

Slippery when wet it always slippery?

@@RADGarage Only slippery when wet and this is what I'm checking out: www.bunnings.com.au/dy-mark-treadrite-10l_p1560387

Did you give it a go, yet?

@@RADGarage Nah missus won't let me. She's highly strung and any action around the house upsets her. She'd prefer to stick a bowl under a dripping tap rather than let me change the washer! Getting tradies in is a nightmare. So...that's my situation.

I only have experience using the high gloss acrylic sealer used in this video. The staff at Northland Construction have always provided me with the info I was in search of. Hopefully, you have a team of experts in your neck of the woods you could bounce that question off of.

This particular sealer only comes in clear form. It does enhance the colour of the actual concrete. Mine is "natural" tint on the driveway and "cappuccino" on the back patio. This acrylic high gloss sealer brings out the beauty of all tones. I think your best bet is to find a local supplier of concrete maintenance products and speak to them about what product would be best for your concrete. I highly doubt Northlands Construction will ship to the US, but you could always give them a call. I dropped the link in the video description.

Yes. The issue I have heard from people with already compromised surfaces is that some sealers don’t seem to react well with less-than-ideal surfaces. I recommend speaking with a rep at a concrete supply company to ensure you get a sealer that will actually work with your conditions.

@@RADGarage Thanks for the advice!

Cracks have nothing to do with the sealer. Perhaps I am misunderstanding your comment.

I was wondering if it is known for cracking as it is here every body I know that has it have cracks I see that now when its set they cut all the expansions joints all the way through nothing to do with the sealer. @@RADGarage

Ah yes, the cracking is definitely something that we all experience here in Calgary. The heaving of the ground in the winter makes cracks inevitable. I have never seen concrete contractors cut the expansion joints all the way though. I think that would lead to a lot of problems with shifting sections of concrete as we went through the massive temperature fluctuations. The sealer does protect the edges of the cracks from further deterioration. I am glad you clarified your points. Thanks for the chat.

I iron my underwear.

By theory it should help because the sealer creates a plastic barrier that would interfere with the moulding process but I’m no scientist. Moisture is a critical factor in the equation. I get moisture that comes up from under the driveway and can get trapped by the sealer creating a milky appearance. I always defer to the pros at my local supply firm.

@@RADGarage Thank you for the reply!

Swisstrax.com. Tell them Rick from RAD Garage sent ya!

It's one of my favorite summer projects! I wish you well.

RAD GARAGE thanks man :)

Hey Bobby. I have actually found rocks to fit into the voids that occur when rocks become dislodged. I use a dab of construction adhesive on a rock that fits perfectly into the hole and seal right over top. If you don't want to go to that extreme, I would just suggest hitting that little divot with a small brush to ensure the sealer penetrates the hole. Those are the spots that water will get in and cause spalling.

RAD GARAGE thank you for the advice

I had to Google "Nutec" paint. From what I quickly read, it's a brand of paint designed to penetrate concrete to create a lasting coat. That's not good news if you are wishing to return the finish to its natural state. My limited scientific knowledge tells me that you would need to remove the layer of concrete that is saturated with the paint, and if you can find a pressure washer operator with a commercial-grade level of machine, there may be a chance, but you would have to ask around. I can't believe someone would paint their driveway. But, I learn something new every day in this garage hobby of mine! Good luck.

I"m not exactly sure of the square footage. I estimate the driveway to be 28' wide and 32' long. I am able to cover the driveway and the front steps easily with a 200L bucket of sealer. I usually have 1/3-1/4 of a bucket left.

I believe you are referring to the darker stamped concrete border and the answer is no. I have sealed that in the past and it becomes dangerously slippery when wet. I have to research a way to seal that concrete with some sort of slip-resistant finish. I just sealed my friend's driveway the other night. It is such a satisfying process and the result always looks so good. Good luck with your dad's driveway.

@@RADGarage thank you for your response! My dad has about an acre long driveway that's curvy (not just straight to the house, but winding, really pretty) plus a front & back walkway to. It's a beast! It too has that same border.

Is it all exposed aggregate? That would be a $100K driveway in Canada!

@@RADGarage yes...all exposed with smooth cut borders, it's got orange, cream, tan, and blue rocks in it, it's very pretty! He has flagstone front steps that have the same colors, so the driveway/walkways blend so nice. I'm in the process of power washing it for him. I'm two days into the project so far, probably have two more days ahead to complete it, but it's looking Awesome! That's why I was considering sealing it.

@@kristycannon7923 I think sealing it is a must. It will take a lot of sealer and be sure you have a lot of rough-surface paint rollers on hand!

NVM you have this listed below lol

I have the tracks listed, but I can see how it may be tricky to know which track you are actually listening to. What I'll do from now on is put the time frame the song appears in brackets behind the track title. I love the vibes created by Ambient Light. He is a master at the craft.

You want the driveway to be perfectly dry prior to applying the sealant.

That’s a great question. It does to an extent. I am not worried about walking but if someone were to run on a wet aggregate driveway after sealing, it is definitely a risk. I have a section of smoother concrete that I sealed one year and that was lethal, so I only seal the aggregate now. Thanks for the question.

It doesn’t take long to set. I avoid driving on it for a few days but an hour or two is all I wait to walk on it.

Not really. I once used this glossy sealer on the darker stamped concrete you see in some shots, and that became dangerously slick. I have never been nervous about people taking a spill on freshly-sealed exposed aggregate when wet. Even my kid who plays on the driveway hasn't lost his footing.

Pants are a key ingredient.

Time between sealing really depends on where you live. For me, I think every year is slightly overkill, but waiting two years is a bit too long. So, I am going to do it annually. That means it does build up and it will appear "milky", but appearance isn't the priority for me. Having the concrete protected is most important. I just used a medium nap roller. You could use a nappier roller too, it really comes down to preference. The longer the nap though, the more "shedding" you will see because the sealer dries quick and likes to pull fibres out of the roller. Medium is your best bet.

@@RADGarage thank you. I recently moved into a house that had the driveway done 5 years ago and the previous owner never sealed it. I will try this summer and see how it handles its first winter with protection. Thankfully no cracks to worry about. Thanks for your reply/video. Forgot to note I live in Toronto :)

@@Chalovski Talk with someone at a reputable concrete supply company. I’m sure you’ll find the appropriate sealer in your area. These exposed aggregate driveways need protecting.

Hi Noel, I have a friend in Saskatchewan who just sealed his freshly poured aggregate concrete with two coats. He told me that new concrete sucks up the sealer making a second coat imperative. I don't believe he waited more than a few days. Let me reach out to him and report back. Hang tight.

My friend waited three days after the pour to apply a first coat of sealer. He's very particular about this kind of stuff. Even more particular than me so you can bank on that.

Roller is the best way. So easy.

Haha. That's probably the most important and satisfying part of the whole process!

I would not suggest using a high gloss sealer around a pool since it can be slippery when wet and I would fear kids running could take a bad tumble. It would look amazing, but just doesn’t seem safe.

I use an epoxy filler and when you seal over top of it, it becomes less noticeable.

What epoxy sealer did you use? TIA

Kevin Walker I pasted the link to the dealer down in the description. Feel free to check it out.

I put a link to the exact sealer I used in the video description. I buy it in a 20 litre bucket and that’s more than enough for a double driveway. Where are you located?

@@RADGarageWoodbridge,ont

mike stefani Yes, it does. I’ll seal my garage floor with the remains.

I have to be honest, no one sprays this product. In the ten years I have lived in a neighborhood with exposed aggregate driveways, I have never once seen someone use the spray application process. Not a homeowner or a professional. It rolls on so easily there would be no point in using the spray method. Just my 2 cents.

This is the best way to do it. I sprayed mine and 2 years later I have over 150 rust spots from the minerals in the stones. If I rolled it, that would of never occured.

@@Sammy-gd2zj Update here..I ended up rolling it and was very easy. Turned out awesome.

I'm so glad to hear you had good results. I'm considering applying a new layer this month.

It definitely piles up!

U live in a condo in downtown Toronto, doesn’t matter

If anyone tells you otherwise, they are WRONG! LOL

I hear you. The majority of people who care enough to seal their driveways hire professionals. There's only a few of us that do it ourselves and I am way past the stage in my life where I let what other people think bother me.