Your asphalt driveway has had a rough few years. Sun, rain, freeze-thaw cycles and daily vehicle traffic all take their toll. At some point it goes from black to grey, and cracks start showing up.
When you start looking for the best driveway sealer, you'll quickly run into a second term: coating. They sound interchangeable, but they aren't. Here's how the two differ, what each one is built for, and how to choose for your asphalt surface.
The Short Answer
If your asphalt is newer and in good shape, a traditional sealer does the job. It freshens up the color and adds a light layer of protection, but it wears off, so plan on redoing it every 2 - 3 years. Many of the cheaper, oil-based sealers have to be applied every year and can be damaging to driveways as manufacturers often cut them with diesel.
If your driveway is older, faded or starting to crack, you'll get more out of a coating-style sealer: thick enough to act like a coating, but made for asphalt. It lasts longer and fills small cracks as you go. Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is built this way and comes with a 5-year warranty (this is especially great compared with the 1 to 3 years typical of a traditional sealer).
Important tip: most products sold as driveway coatings are made for concrete, not asphalt. If you have asphalt (blacktop), you need a product made for it, whether you choose a sealer, coating, or coating-style sealer.
What Is an Asphalt Driveway Sealer?
An asphalt driveway sealer, often called sealcoat, is typically a thin liquid spread over the surface to shield it from water, UV rays and oil drips. Most fall into one of four types:
- Asphalt emulsion: The most common DIY option. It's water-based and easy to clean up, but thin, so it wears off faster.
- Coal tar: Tough and fuel-resistant, but strong-smelling and high in PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). It's restricted or banned in a number of states and cities because it is a carcinogenic.
- Acrylic: UV-resistant and available in colors, but usually the priciest of the bunch.
- Fill-and-seal: An emulsion with added filler that can handle hairline cracks.
Because traditional sealers are thin, they mostly soak in or sit right on top of the asphalt. That's why they fade and wear through. As a general industry rule of thumb, most need to be reapplied every 1 to 3 years.
What Is a Driveway Coating?
A driveway coating is a thicker, tougher layer that bonds to the surface instead of soaking in. It's meant to protect and resurface the driveway, not just refresh the color.
This is where it gets confusing. Search for "driveway coating" and most of what you'll find is for concrete: epoxy, polyaspartic and acrylic concrete coatings. Those are made to bond to concrete. Asphalt is softer, more flexible and moves more with the temperature. So, if your driveway is asphalt, skip the concrete coatings and look for one made specifically for asphalt.
Asphalt Driveway Sealer vs. Coating at a Glance
|
Traditional Asphalt Sealer |
Asphalt Driveway Coating or Coating-Style Sealers |
|
|
Thickness |
Typically a thin surface treatment |
Thicker protective layer |
|
How it protects |
Mostly soaks in and sits on the surface |
Bonds to the surface and forms a waterproof layer |
|
Cracks |
Hairline cracks at most |
Fills small cracks; larger cracks are repaired first |
|
How long it lasts |
Typically 1 to 3 years (industry range) |
Longer. Liquid Rubber driveway projects (using the coating style sealer: Driveway Restore) are backed by a 5-year warranty |
|
Best for |
Newer asphalt in good shape |
Aging, faded, or lightly cracked asphalt Many driveway coatings are concrete-specific. Driveway Restore is asphalt-specific |
How to Choose the Best Asphalt Driveway Sealer
If your driveway is in good shape and you don't mind resealing every couple of years, a traditional sealer is fine. If you want something that lasts, especially on older asphalt, go with a coating-style sealer. Whichever you pick, check that it:
- Is made for asphalt. Not a concrete coating with "driveway" on the label.
- Stays flexible. Asphalt expands and contracts with the weather, and a rigid layer will crack.
- Fills small cracks. That saves you a step and keeps water out.
- Is low-odor. A water-based product means no harsh fumes.
Where Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore Fits
Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is a coating-style sealer for asphalt driveways. It's thicker than a traditional sealer and built to refresh, protect and restore asphalt driveways.
- Built to last. Coat your full driveway following the application guide and it's backed by a 5-year warranty, versus the 1 to 3 years typical of a traditional sealer.
- Made for asphalt only. It uses an asphalt chemistry, so it bonds to your driveway without a primer. It's not for concrete.
- Hard but flexible. A waterproofing membrane combined with aggregates stands up to car traffic, and it stays flexible as the asphalt expands and contracts. It moves with your asphalt surface.
- Fills small cracks. It fills hairline and small alligator cracks under 1/8" as you apply it. Bigger cracks and potholes get repaired first with Asphalt Crack Filler and Asphalt Patch.
- Water-based. No solvents, no VOCs and no harsh fumes.
- Protects your asphalt from harmful UV rays. UV rays dry out oils and make the asphalt brittle over time.
It's worth knowing what it's not for, too. Driveway Restore is made for residential driveways, not surfaces that see snow plows, heavy equipment or high-speed traffic. It also can't go over coal tar sealers or recently applied solvent-based sealers.
How to Rejuvenate an Asphalt Driveway with a Coating-Style Sealer
If you can clean, roll paint, and follow instructions, you can do this. Plan on about 48 hours of work time, plus a couple more days of dry weather after the project is complete so the driveway can properly cure.
See full application guidelines for Driveway Restore
Step 1: Check the Weather
Apply between 50°F and 86°F (10°C and 30°C), including overnight temperatures. Skip it if rain is forecast within 24 hours, or humidity is above 80%.
Pro tip: Early fall or late spring is a great time to do this project so you're not working on burning hot black asphalt.
Step 2: Clean the Surface
Remove loose asphalt, dirt, weeds and oil spots. Wet the driveway, apply Liquid Rubber Multipurpose Cleaner, let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes, scrub, then rinse well (a pressure washer is best). Let it dry completely.
Step 3: Repair Cracks and Potholes
- Fill cracks from 1/8" to 1/2" wide with Asphalt Crack Filler.
- Fill potholes and pitting deeper than 1/2" with Asphalt Patch, then tamp it down firmly.
- Wait 24 hours before applying the coating (Driveway Restore).
Step 4: Apply coats at the proper coverage rate
Brush the edges first, then use a roller or foam squeegee to apply a generous coat of Driveway Restore. Wait 4 to 6 hours, until it's dry to the touch. Then apply the second coat in the direction of the slope so water drains properly.
Plan on 1 gallon per 50 square feet total (not per coat). That's one 5-gallon pail for a 25' x 10' single-car driveway, or two pails for a 25' x 20' double. If you have questions about coverage, you can use our Kit Builder to calculate exactly what you need, or contact Liquid Rubber Product and Application support. We'd be happy to help.
What we mean when we talk about coverage rate, and how to know how many coats to apply (rule of thumb):
Enter your project's square footage into the Kit Builder for your product, and it'll tell you exactly how much to order (enough for all the coats your project needs). If your surface is rough, corrugated, or sloped, reach out to our Product Application and Support team. Once you start applying, use this rule: apply a coat, let it dry, and if you still have product left over, apply another coat. Keep going until the product's used up.
Step 5: Let It Cure
Keep cars off for 48 to 72 hours of dry weather. Cold or humid conditions will stretch that out. Once it's dry, run a bead of Asphalt Crack Filler where the driveway meets the garage, sidewalk or curb to keep water out of those joints.
How Long Does a Coating-Style Sealer Last?
Longer than a traditional sealer. Traditional sealers typically need redoing every 1 to 3 years (a general industry range). Driveway Restore comes with a 5-year warranty when you coat your full driveway, use the recommended products and amounts, and follow the application guide.
How long it lasts in practice still depends on proper prep, climate and how much traffic your driveway sees. To keep it looking good, clean it every once in a while with Liquid Rubber Multipurpose Cleaner. Heavy-duty degreasers can discolor the surface.
Ready to Restore Your Driveway?
If your asphalt is faded and starting to crack, a coating-style sealer gives you more protection than a quick sealcoat, with no contractor needed. Use the Asphalt Driveway Kit Builder to get the right amount of product for your driveway, and get a discount when you buy a full kit.
Questions along the way? Our Product and Application Support Team can walk you through it. Email support@ShopLiquidRubber.com.
Blog originally published in 2023 and updated October 2026.
Asphalt Driveway Sealer vs. Coating FAQs
What is the best sealer for an asphalt driveway?
For newer asphalt in good shape, a traditional sealer works. Just wait until it’s 6 months to 1 year old before sealing. This gives the oils and solvents time to dissipate and lets the asphalt finish settling.
For older, faded or lightly cracked asphalt, a coating-style sealer made for asphalt protects better and lasts longer. If you're looking for a coating specifically, it might be hard to find. Those are typically made for concrete (not asphalt). Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is likely the closest you'll get.
How often should you seal an asphalt driveway?
Traditional sealers typically need redoing every 1 to 3 years. A coating-style sealer like Driveway Restore is backed by a 5-year warranty when applied following the application guide.
How do you make asphalt black again?
Sun and weather wear the dark surface down, which is why asphalt fades to grey. Cleaning the driveway, repairing cracks and applying a sealer or coating made for asphalt brings the dark color back.
Can I use a concrete driveway coating on asphalt?
No. Concrete coatings like epoxy and polyaspartic are made to bond to concrete. Use a product made for asphalt.
Can I use Driveway Restore on a concrete driveway?
No. Driveway Restore is made specifically for asphalt driveways. Use Liquid Rubber Concrete and Stone Sealer instead.
Can I apply it over my old sealer?
It depends on what the old sealer was, as some won't be compatible. Don't apply it over coal tar sealers or recently applied solvent-based sealers. If you have questions about compatibility for your driveway, shoot us a message with pictures and details of your driveway.
Do I need a primer?
No. Driveway Restore bonds to asphalt without a primer.
