SURFACE PREPARATION
Surface preparation is key. Vegetation is trimmed along the borders. Prior to sealing, the area is cleared utilizing a high powered backpack blower with sweeping as necessary.
SEALANT
Top quality, undiluted, Black Mac oil based sealant is applied. Boards and/or tape is used as necessary to prevent overspray. Over the next 24hrs the product will cure and penetrate the asphalt. Over the next couple of weeks the product will turn from glossy to flat black.
FINAL STEPS
The driveway is taped off to prevent traffic, allowing the product to cure for 24 hours
NOT ALL SEALANT IS CREATED EQUAL
Oil based vs acrylic
There are two types of sealant commonly used; Acrylic and Oil/Asphalt based.
Acrylic is water based, less expensive and available for purchase by homeowners. It provides a flat black coating to the surface of the asphalt.
Oil based sealant is more expensive and not available to home owners (special licence required to transport). With oil based, you are replenishing what was originally in the asphalt when it was laid. Acrylic seals the top of the asphalt causing the base to dry out and eventually crack. Think of your driveway as a sponge. Do you want to paint over the surface or add what is already there to "moisturize" it. Oil based will cure to a flat black appearance.