Can You Tint Paver Sealer? [And How To]

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You may want to add to the aesthetic appeal of your paver by tinting your paver sealer before application. But if you're unsure if paver sealer can be tinted and how it can be done or if one can actually tint paver sealer, you're in the right place! We have consulted some experts in this field to answer your questions.

Yes, you can tint paver sealer. Tinted paver sealer serves the same purpose as untinted ones but provides a low dose of color. Solvent- and water-based sealers can also be tinted, depending on the looks you want to achieve.

Tinted paver sealer is easy to use, and you don't have to worry about mixing them with water or other liquids. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about tinting your paver sealer.

The Right Amount Of Tint To Use

Adding tint to your paver sealer isn't difficult. To achieve good color translucency, you need to use less pigment. Any excess tint may result in over-pigmenting. It is important to use a tinting agent that is compatible with your paver sealer.

Before applying your tinted paver sealer, always check if your desired color and degree of translucency have been achieved. This can be done by applying a small amount of the tinted paver sealer to an inconspicuous area.

How To Tint Paver Sealer

The steps to tint your paver sealer are as follows:

• Shake the container of the tint properly before adding it to the bucket containing the sealer.
• Put a small amount of sealer into the tint container, and shake properly before returning the mixture to the bucket. This is crucial to make sure all the pigment is used.
• If more than five gallons of sealer and multiple tints are used, all material should be intermixed to achieve a consistent color.

How To Use Tinted Paver Sealer

Applying tinted paver sealer is straightforward. Before application, always make sure your paver is adequately cleaned and free of debris or contaminants.

You can apply tinted paver sealer using a solvent-resistant pump sprayer. Also, you can use thin coats to avoid bubbling and other effects of over-application.

Always leave the initial coat of sealer to dry for some minutes before spraying each subsequent coat in alternating directions to get an ideal coverage. Ensure the sealer is already dry before using the sealed area for any activity.

Does Tinted Paver Sealer Last?

Tinted paver sealer tends to wear off over time, just like the untinted ones. After some time, you will have to do reapplication to maintain the color.

There is a higher chance that worn patterns will become evident in areas like driveways and sidewalks not too long after application. Thus, reapplication needs to be made more often in these areas.

Types of Sealers That Can Be Tinted

You can tint both solvent- and water-based sealers. For convenience, you can use pre-tinted sealers; the only disadvantage of using the pre-tinted ones is that color selection becomes limited. Tinting the sealer yourself allows you to select the type of color you need.

Solvent-Based Paver Sealers

Solvent-based paver sealers are used to protect the paver. They can be removed without damaging the underlying surface. Additionally, solvent-based paver sealer prevents potholes and cracks in pavers and are known to be flexible.

Pros

• These sealers offer a deeper, richer gloss.
• They can be used and stored at a lower temperature.
• Solvent-based paver sealers can be recoated.

Cons

• Solvent-based paver sealers are expensive.
• They evaporate faster.
• At higher temperatures, they are less user-friendly.

Click here to see this solvent-based paver sealer on Amazon.

Water-Based Paver Sealers

Water-based paver sealers are commonly used on non-porous surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and pavers. They require a lot of water to work properly and are easier to apply since they are thinner.

A water-based paver sealer can be applied with a sprayer, unlike a solvent-based paver sealer, which requires a roller. Be careful when using a roller as it may end up leaving your paver with uneven spots.

Pros

• Water-based sealers are affordable.
• They are more chemical resistant.
• These paver sealers can be easily used at higher temperatures.
• They are environmentally friendly.
• Water-based sealers are non-flammable.

Cons

• These sealers cannot be used at low temperatures.
• They can be sensitive to environmental conditions like high humidity and low temperature.

Click here to see this water-based paver sealer on Amazon.

When Should You Use Tinted Paver Sealers?

You can use a tinted paver sealer to correct or decrease the effects of most color issues. Tinted paver sealer can also be used when you want to achieve more attractive exterior surfaces.

How To Take Care of Pavers Sealed With Tinted Sealer

Here are some tips to help maintain your pavers after sealing them with tinted sealer:

1. Sweep your pavers often. Walk around the pavers at least once a day to check the surface's condition. Sweep your pavers often with a standard broom or a push broom to prevent the accumulation of dust, soil, leaves, and other debris.

2. Rinse your pavers after sweeping. It is advisable to rinse them with water using a garden hose after sweeping. Doing this will help clear debris properly.

3. Wash with paver cleaning solution. If sweeping and rinsing would be inadequate, your pavers should be washed with a good cleaning solution to remove dirt and debris.

4. Reapply tinted paver sealer when needed. Make sure to reapply your tinted sealer often to maintain the beauty of your flooring.

5. Repair broken pavers. If your pavers are broken or cracked due to an accident or natural wear and tear, it is better to repair them by replacing the damaged pavers with new ones.

How Do You Store Tinted Paver Sealers?

Partially-used sealer can be stored for reuse in the future. Before storing your sealer, ensure that the lid is well closed so the carrier will not evaporate. It is best to store them in a temperature-controlled environment. Do not let them freeze or be exposed to extremely high temperatures.

Is Tinted Paver Sealer Environmentally Friendly?

The most environmentally friendly tinted sealer is the water-based one. Just a few solvent-based sealers are environmentally friendly.

Varieties of Sealer Pigments

Opaque and translucent pigments are the two varieties of sealer pigments.

• Opaque Pigment - These are solid colors that totally hide the concrete underneath just like how your wall paint covers what is underneath. Opaque is the most popular type of pigment. It is known to have increased hiding power.

• Translucent Pigment - This type of pigment adds a color tint that does not hide the underlying surface. Translucent tint colors are used for only solvent-based sealers.

Qualities of A Good Paver Sealer

A good paver sealer will have these benefits:

• Provides resistance to unwanted stains.
• Makes the paver last long.
• Boosts the beauty of your paver.

In Closing

The primary purpose of tinting paver sealers is to improve the looks of pavers. Also, using a tinted sealer helps to reduce the cost of maintenance. As a homeowner, you can easily tint your paver sealers even without assistance.

If you enjoyed reading this post, check out these related articles:

Do Pavers Need To Be Sealed? [And How To Tell If Yours Are Sealed]

Should You Seal Travertine Pavers?