Is it better to brush or squeegee driveway sealer?

When it comes to applying driveway sealer, homeowners have two main options – brushing it on or using a squeegee. Both methods have their pros and cons and work better under certain circumstances. Here we’ll compare brushing vs squeegeeing so you can decide which is right for your driveway.

Brushing On Driveway Sealer

Brushing driveway sealer on with a long-handled brush is a common DIY method. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of brushing on sealer:

Pros of Brushing

• Brushes can get into cracks and crevices that a squeegee may miss.
• Brushing takes less setup since you don’t need a pump or hose.
• A brush gives you more control over targeting problem areas.
• Brushes evenly spread out the sealer without leaving puddles.

Cons of Brushing

• It takes longer to brush a large driveway than squeegee.
• Brushing tends to use more sealer since it’s harder to control thickness.
• Sealer may dry too fast in hot weather before you finish brushing.
• A brush can leave visible stroke marks if you’re not careful.

Brushing is generally better for smaller driveways or for targeting problem areas. The main drawback is it takes more time and elbow grease for larger driveways. Let’s compare that to squeegeeing.

Squeegeeing On Driveway Sealer

Using an applicator and squeegee tool is a common approach by professionals. Here are the main pros and cons of squeegeeing on sealer:

Pros of Squeegeeing

• It goes much faster than brushing for large driveways.
• You can control the thickness and avoid using excess sealer.
• Results in an even, smooth coat without visible stroke marks.
• The sealer stays wet longer so you can work in sections.

Cons of Squeegeeing

• Requires more equipment like a pump sprayer and hose.
• Not as effective at getting into cracks and imperfections.
• Can leave pools or puddles of sealer if you’re not careful.
• You may miss spots if you don’t have good technique.

Squeegeeing is ideal for sealing large, smooth driveways. However it does require more setup and care to avoid leaving missed spots or puddles. Next we’ll compare the results of brushing vs squeegeeing.

Brushed vs Squeegeed Driveway Sealer

When done properly, both brushing and squeegeeing can produce nice results. Here’s how the finished results of each typically compare:

Attribute	Brushed Sealer	Squeegeed Sealer
Coverage	Less consistent thickness, may use more sealer overall	More consistent thickness, avoids high/low spots
Appearance	Slight stroke marks visible	Smooth, uniform appearance
Cracks/Imperfections	Can penetrate into crevices better	May pool or miss cracks
Speed	Slower for large driveways	Much faster coverage

As you can see, brushing tends to be slower but reaches cracks better, while squeegeeing is faster but can miss low spots. Other factors like weather conditions, driveway size, and sealer product can also affect the results.

Tips for Brushing on Driveway Sealer

Here are some tips to get the best results when brushing on driveway sealer:

• Use a long-handled, stiff bristle driveway brush for best control.
• Work in small 3×3 foot sections to maintain a wet edge and avoid lap marks.
• Brush in different directions to smooth out strokes and give an even coat.
• Add a small amount of water if sealer starts drying out too fast.
• Target any low spots, holes, and cracks by brushing extra layers in those areas.
• Be careful not to create puddles or excess sealer in depressions.
• Use a roller on the edges to blend where sections meet.

Brushing Steps

Here is a basic process for brushing on driveway sealer:

1. Clean and prepare the driveway surface.
2. Pour out sealer in a line across the width of the driveway.
3. Spread and brush the sealer in 3×3 ft. sections side to side.
4. Once section is coated, move back and repeat the process in the next section.
5. Work in a pattern up the driveway until completely brushed.
6. Use a roller to blend where sections overlap.
7. Let sealer fully dry for 24-48 hours before driving on it.

Following these tips will help get the most uniform coverage when brushing on sealer.

Tips for Using a Squeegee

Here are some pointers for getting great results with a squeegee:

• Invest in a quality neoprene squeegee designed for driveway sealers.
• Use a pump sprayer to get an even coat of material across the surface.
• Keep the leading edge of the squeegee wet and free of debris.
• Overlap each pass by 3-6 inches to prevent bare spots.
• Lift the squeegee at the end of each pass so it doesn’t leave a ridge.
• Pour extra sealer into low spots and cracks before sealing the flat areas.
• Work in sections no wider than what you can reach to keep a wet edge.

Squeegeeing Process

A typical squeegeeing process looks like this:

1. Clean and prepare the driveway.
2. Use a sprayer to apply sealer across a 3-6 ft. section.
3. Drag the squeegee across at a 45 degree angle in overlapping passes.
4. Lift the squeegee at the end to avoid ridges.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 in small sections across the driveway.
6. Allow sealer to dry for 24-48 hours.

With some practice, the squeegee can produce very uniform results. Be sure to backbrush any missed spots or puddles before the sealer dries.

Ideal Conditions for Brushing vs Squeegeeing

Certain conditions make one method preferable over the other:

Better for Brushing

• Small driveway less than 300 sq.ft.
• Mild weather under 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Older driveway with many cracks and defects.
• Homeowner doing the project themselves.

Better for Squeegeeing

• Larger driveway over 500 sq.ft.
• Hot weather over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Smooth newer driveway with minimal cracks.
• Contractor working on multiple driveways.

Consider your specific conditions to choose the best method. For mildly cracked smaller driveways in cool weather, brushing may be ideal. For big smooth driveways in hot weather, a squeegee would be faster.

Combining Brushing and Squeegeeing

You can also combine both techniques:

• Use a squeegee to quickly seal the majority of flat areas.
• Switch to a brush to work sealer into cracks, edges, and imperfections.
• Squeegee again over brushed areas to smooth out stroke marks.

This gives you the speed of squeegeeing along with the penetration of brushing into defects. It’s a great way for DIYers to get professional-looking results.

Product Differences for Brush vs Squeegee

The type of sealer product also plays a role. Here are some product differences:

Sealer Type	Brushing	Squeegeeing
Asphalt Emulsion	Fair – can dry too quickly	Good
Coal Tar	Poor – too thick	Fair
Acrylic	Good	Excellent
Epoxy	Fair	Good – but messy

Liquid asphalt emulsions can work with either method but dry faster when brushing. Thick coal tar sealers are too viscous for brushing. Acrylic sealers provide the best experience with both brush and squeegee. Epoxy needs a squeegee but can be messy.

Conclusion

So in summary, here are some final recommendations on brushing vs squeegeeing driveway sealer:

• Brushing works well for small cracked driveways, providing greater penetration.
• Squeegeeing is much faster and gives a smoother finish on large driveways.
• Combining brush and squeegee gives the benefits of both on moderately cracked driveways.
• Consider weather, size, complexity and product type when choosing a method.
• With practice, both methods can produce long-lasting, quality results.

Whichever you choose, be sure to thoroughly clean and prepare the surface first. And allow the sealer ample drying time before exposure to vehicles. Your beautifully sealed driveway will provide years of protection and appeal.