Rejuvenating tarmac ... advice needed

[gerrymoore]

We have a large frontage that is mainly to good quality tarmac but it is looking it's age. No splits or lumps just not 'nice' for swimbo to look at!! Had a quote to replace ..£11,000 So I've been looking at various 'liquid' products to cover the old tarmac and bring it up to look almost like new?? They range in price and most get very good reviews. Apparently some can even cover old concrete drives too (we have one of those as well). Has anyone used any of these types of finish and can recommend or otherwise...?? Also what is best tool to apply them to the tarmac ..brush, roller,?? Thanks in advance Gerry... see pics

 

[dave h 2]

These paints are invariably semi gloss finish and around here get redone every 3 or 4 years. The concrete drive will also still look like a concrete drive, but shiny.

 

[RonMig]

Before you could put any "magic liquid" on there, it would have to be cleaned by scraping & jet-washing.

So, why not do that? Scrape off the moss and jet-wash it, then see what it looks like? Careful on those edges...
Might then be good enough to leave it for another 10 years or so

And if you haven't got a jet-washer... Buy One !

 

[gerrymoore]

Thanks guys.. yes I have a very well used jet washer but I want to try and make it 'blacker' more than just washing off the dirt and moss. Must say I don't fancy any sort of gloss or shine .... would prefer the matt black look of new tarmac!

Most of the reviews are very positive but prices range from around £50 for 20 litres to 3 times that ..so Ideally would like opinion from someone that has actually tried these concoctions !!

 

[Robotstar5]

It's probably worth getting it all professionally jet washed before applying anything, we had a local company recommended which did ours for around £100, we did have a travelling gentleman knock the door and offer to do it for a bargain £300 a couple of days before the professionals were due.

Before

After

 

[RonMig]

I'd be hitting that front edge with weedkiller...
Or good excuse to buy one of them flamethrower thingys

 

[Arc Tourist]

I don't know about here in the UK, but overseas you could buy buckets of "seal coating" ( slurry ), which you carefully spread with a broom sized squeegie.

 

[gaz1]

Thanks guys.. yes I have a very well used jet washer but I want to try and make it 'blacker' more than just washing off the dirt and moss. Must say I don't fancy any sort of gloss or shine .... would prefer the matt black look of new tarmac!

Most of the reviews are very positive but prices range from around £50 for 20 litres to 3 times that ..so Ideally would like opinion from someone that has actually tried these concoctions !!

do you have a blowlamp handy

pick a small square and heat it up by burning it and it will come back to black again

as your only burning off the top layer the tarmac will just melt and tar over again

 

[bricol]

If my old boss's private road and driveway are anything to go by, driving a Triumph Dolomite Sprint up it with the front carb float stuck, thus putting a good stream of old fashioned unleaded up it, then a good sloshing of petrol over it will last over 20 yrs . . .

Left my car at his house one day, while I borrowed his company Volvo for a work trip - you can still see the path the front carb travelled up the road and driveway.

 

[gerrymoore]

Thanks again guys ..

Gaz very sorry to only just hear about your mum.... .a bit late but my condolences to you and you family... Gerry

 

[8ob]

Has anyone used any of these types of finish and can recommend or otherwise...?? Also what is best tool to apply them to the tarmac ..brush, roller,?? Thanks in advance Gerry... see pi

Powerwash and the only product I can think of that you wont regret using is tarmac sealing grit. Its something you can apply yourself.

Bob

 

[voipio]

+1 for jet wash. If the end result isn't sufficient, then apply some Tarmaseal.

 

[gerrymoore]

Tarmaseal is probably what I'm going to use. I'll get rid of the moss then gently powerwash before the Tarmaseal..if it doesn't work as I like then I haven't spent much just a bit of exercise (which I need anyway!!) The tarmac is in good condition so should be OK rather than spend 1000's on new. I'll post some pics when I'm done ..thanks everyone for their inputs...

 

[Erie Fred]

FWIW local paving contractor was in buying blasting abrasive, the coal bottom ash material "Black Beauty" it's called around here.
He uses it when tarring joints, places it on top to keep it from being sticky.

 

[Jasper42]

I have used Thompson drive seal after a good power wash, it blacked the tarmac and the drive look really good, lasted about 3 years. I hear there is better stuff out there but this was easy to get

Thompsons Drive Seal Black 5Ltr - Screwfix

Order online at Screwfix.com. Revives old tarmac to make it look like new. Protects driveways from oil and fuel stains. Cars can be parked on it in just 4 hours. FREE next day delivery available, free collection in 1 minute.

www.screwfix.com