Deep Color Enhancement & Restoration
Solvent-based acrylics are powerful tools for restoring faded brick, but they require expert application. Learn if this traditional finish is right for your home.
Is Solvent Based Sealer Right for Your Pavers?
The "Wet Look" Powerhouse
We typically use Solvent-Based Sealers for:
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Restoring Faded Brick: If your driveway is 15+ years old and looks "washed out" or gray, a solvent sealer can bring back the original rich tones.
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Existing Solvent Applications: If your patio was previously sealed with a solvent product, we must often stick with solvent to ensure proper chemical bonding (unless we fully strip it).
The Trade-Offs
(Why We Often Recommend Water-Based)
While solvent sealers look great initially, they come with distinct risks—especially in the volatile Chicagoland climate. We believe in full transparency so you can make an informed choice.
(1) The "Trap" Factor (Moisture & Haze) Solvent sealers create a non-breathable plastic film. If any moisture is trapped in the ground when it rains (or if the sealer is applied on a humid day), that moisture tries to escape and hits the sealer barrier.
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The Result: The infamous "White Haze" (Blushing). The moisture gets trapped, turning the sealer milky white. This is difficult and expensive to fix.
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Our Solution: For this reason, we strongly recommend Breathable Water-Based Sealers for most residential projects, as they allow ground moisture to escape without hazing.
(2) Slip & Fall Issues Due to the film-forming aspects of solvent based sealers, surfaces can easily become very slippery, especially during wet conditions (rain, snow, sprinklers).
(3) Strong Odors (VOCs) Solvent sealers have a high VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) content. They produce strong chemical fumes during application that can linger for 24-48 hours.
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Note: If you have sensitive pets, children, or are sealing a courtyard with poor airflow, this may not be the right choice.
(4) Maintenance Cycles Acrylic solvent sealers typically need to be re-applied every 2–3 years. Because they form a film, they wear down from UV rays and foot traffic faster than penetrating water-based options.
Pro Tip
Solvent sealers create a high-gloss "wet look". These formulas aggressively darken the pavers to make colors pop, providing a rich finish that strongly repels water.
The Verdict:
When Should You Use Solvent
We view Solvent/Oil-Based sealers as a Restoration Tool, not a default maintenance product.
✅ YES, Use Solvent If:
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Your pavers are severely faded and you want maximum color depth.
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You specifically love the high-gloss, "shiny" aesthetic.
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You are re-coating a surface that already has a solvent sealer.
❌ NO, Consider Water-Based If:
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You prefer a semi-gloss, color enhancement on your brick pavers.
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You have natural stone (Bluestone, Travertine) which needs to breathe.
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You are sealing a pool deck (solvent can be slippery).
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You want a low-maintenance finish.
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You are worried about white haze or chemical odors.
Common Questions About Solvent/Oil Based Sealers
Is oil-based sealer better than water-based? Not anymore. Modern water-based urethanes often outlast traditional oil-based acrylics. Oil-based is purely "better" for darkening color, but it carries higher risks of trapping moisture and turning white.
Why do so many contractors use solvent based sealers? The answer is simple: It's cheaper and takes less skill to apply. A lot of contractors are stuck in an "Old School" mentality and refuse to learn new/better methods.
Will my pavers be slippery? Solvent-based sealers form a film that can be slippery when wet. We always mix a non-slip grit additive into our solvent sealers to provide traction, but water-based sealers generally offer better natural grip.
How long does the smell last? The strong solvent odor typically dissipates within 24 hours as the carrier agents evaporate. We recommend keeping windows closed during the application process.