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There are a few different types of concrete sealers that can be used to seal a stamped concrete driveway. The best stamped concrete driveway sealer for your driveway will depend on how you need the sealer to perform and what you want the driveway to look like once sealed.

The most common type of sealer for a stamped concrete driveway is an acrylic sealer. Acrylic sealers help to enhance and protect the color of the stamped concrete, as well as prevent the surface from staining and deterioration.

Acrylic Driveway Sealers:

• Armor AR350: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a low gloss finish.
• Armor AR500: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.
• Armor WB25: Water based driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.
• Cure and Seal: For new, uncured concrete driveways.

Before sealing your stamped concrete driveway, you want to make sure that if the driveway is currently sealed, the new driveway sealer is compatible with the old.

• Water Repellent Sealer: If the stamped concrete driveway is currently sealed with a water repellent sealer, you can recoat with a solvent based water repellent sealer or a solvent based acrylic sealer. Water based products will be repelled of the surface which is why you typically can’t recoat with a water based product if the concrete is currently sealed with a water repellent.
• Water Based Acrylic Sealer: If the stamped concrete driveway is currently sealed with a water based acrylic sealer, the driveway needs to be recoated with a water based acrylic sealer.
• Solvent Based Acrylic Sealer: If the stamped concrete driveway is currently sealed with a solvent based acrylic sealer, the driveway needs to be recoated with a solvent based acrylic sealer.

Best Stamped Concrete Driveway Sealers

No Change: If you want your stamped concrete to look exactly like it did before being sealed you want a silane-siloxane sealer. Silane-siloxane sealers work entirely below the surface and will not change the look or color of the stamped concrete. They will cause water and other liquids to bead off the surface and protect the stamped concrete from mold, mildew, and spalling caused by freeze-thaw cycles. Silane-Siloxane sealers will not enhance the stamped concrete, bring out dull and faded coloring, or protect the color from fading. If the color of the stamped concrete is a concern, you instead want an acrylic sealer.

• Armor SX5000: Solvent based Silane-Siloxane driveway sealer. DOT approved, high solids, 10 year life.
• Armor SX5000 WB: Water based Silane-Siloxane driveway sealer. DOT approved, high solids, 10 year life.

Wet Look or High Gloss: If you want a wet look, satin sheen, or high gloss finish, then you want an acrylic sealer. Acrylic sealers will also help to preserve, maintain, and bring out the color of the stamped concrete driveway. The entire surface is protected with a coating that will stop deterioration caused by surface abrasion and water absorption.

• Armor AR350: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a low gloss finish.
• Armor AR500: Solvent based wet look driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.
• Armor WB25: Water based driveway sealer with a high gloss finish.

Stamped Concrete Driveway Problems

Most homeowners will determine the driveway sealer they need based on how it will look like once sealed. If you are still unsure, here are a few of the most common driveway problems and which sealer is best to stop them. A good rule of thumb is that penetrating sealers help to reduce problems, and acrylic sealers help to stop problems.

Hot Tire Pickup: Hot tire pickup is very much misunderstood. Hot tire pickup is caused when the hot rubber from the tires separates from the tires and bonds to any material it comes into contact with. If you don’t have a coating down, hot tire marks will appear directly on the concrete. If you have a coating down, the coating will absorb the hot tire marks. In any event – something needs to absorb the hot tire marks. If you seal your stamped concrete driveway with an acrylic, an acrylic is very easy to maintain. You can use a little Xylene to repair the area and remove the hot tire marks. If you use a penetrating sealer, the concrete will still be exposed and can form hot tire marks.

Mold and Mildew: Mold and mildew will form where water is present. If concrete is left unsealed, it will hold water within the pores and allow mold and mildew to form on the surface. You can apply a silane-siloxane water repellent sealer, or you can go with an acrylic sealer. Both types of products will help against the growth of surface mold and mildew.

Efflorescence: In  most cases, you can reduce efflorescence with a concrete densifier or acrylic sealer. How much the efflorescence is reduced will depend on the amount of efflorescence present, and the cause.

Spalling: Spalling is most often caused by water absorption and freeze-thaw cycles. Water is absorbed into the pores of the concrete where it freezes and causes concrete to spall and crack on the surface. A silane-siloxane water repellent or acrylic sealers are the best defense your concrete has against this. Silane-Siloxane sealers are designed to reduce deterioration and acrylic sealers are designed to stop deterioration.

Stains: Silane-Siloxane sealers reduce stains and acrylic sealers stop stains. If you want to make your driveway easier to clean, a Silane-Siloxane sealer is typically ok. If you want to stop stains, an acrylic sealer is best.

Freeze-Thaw and Salt Damage: Silane-Siloxane sealers help to reduce deterioration caused by freeze-thaw cycles and acrylic sealers are designed to stop damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles.

How To Clean a Stamped Concrete Driveway

The best way to clean a stamped concrete driveway is with a heated pressure washer. The heat will remove most dirt and stains, but in severe cases where oil and gas stains are present, a cleaner or degreaser may also be required.