How Long Does Driveway Paint Last? (Find Out Now!)

What is Driveway Paint?

Driveway paint is a colored epoxy product. You can use it on a variety of driveway materials, including concrete, brick, and asphalt. It dries within 2 hours, and cures within 7 days.

Is Painting a Driveway a Good Idea?

Painting a driveway is an excellent idea. You can mark a space for your RV or boat, make a small basketball court, or paint the entire driveway. Epoxy seals the driveway to protect against the elements, and the color gives your property some new curb appeal.

How Long Does Driveway Paint Last?

When the driveway paint is applied properly, it lasts up to 5 years. Make sure to use a product that is made for concrete and asphalt. Apply the driveway paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Painting vs. Tinted Concrete

Should You Seal a Painted Driveway?

Driveway paint contains a sealer, so you don’t have to apply a separate sealer. The driveway needs to be re-sealed very 5 years. You can seal it with a fresh coat of driveway paint or a penetrating sealer.

What is the Best Paint to Use on a Driveway?

When it comes to finding the best paint for your driveway, consider the following:

Roll vs. Spray

Epoxy driveway paint can be applied with a roller or sprayer. Although a sprayer sounds like the most efficient method, proceed with caution. Sprayers tend to get clogged with epoxy products. You also have little control over the spray. You may end up with epoxy on your lawn or vehicles. Rolling epoxy driveway paint gives you more control and consistency.

How Much Does It Cost to Paint a Driveway?

Painting your driveway costs $2.30 to $4.50 per square foot. This includes labor and materials. If you do the job yourself, the materials alone cost $0.50 to $1 per square foot.

What is the Best Color to Paint a Driveway?

Earth tones are very popular colors for driveways. This includes browns, tans, greys, and beiges. Darker colors work well for hiding stains and tire marks. Lighter colors of driveway paint highlight your landscaping. If you really want to add some interest, use two tones of paint to make a geometric pattern.

How Much Driveway Paint Do I Need?

A gallon of driveway paint covers about 400 to 500 square feet. If your driveway has a rough surface, a gallon may only cover 300 to 400 square feet.

How to Paint a Driveway

Paint your driveway when the weather is good. If it’s too warm or cold, the paint won’t set, and it may peel at the edges. You need at least 2 days of good weather. Early morning and evening are the best times of day to paint a driveway.

Clean the Driveway

Sweep the driveway to remove any loose debris, and clean it with a pressure washer and degreasing product. Fill in any cracks or holes. For a concrete driveway, use a slurry of cement and water. Let the slurry dry for 12 to 24 hours. For asphalt, use a patching compound, and let it dry for 3 days.

Apply the Paint

Tape off the edges of the driveway. Mix the epoxy paint, and pour some into a tray. Use a 3/8” roller to apply a thin layer of the paint to the driveway. Work in small sections, and overlap the paint by 2” to 3”. Let the paint dry for 24 hours, and apply a second coat.

Drying Time

You can walk on the driveway after 24 hours, but keep it to a minimum for the first 72 hours. Wait at least 7 days before driving on a painted driveway.

Is Driveway Paint Slippery?

Epoxy paint can be slippery under the right conditions. You can add traction by spreading a thin layer of sand over the wet paint. Don’t mix the sand with the paint as you apply it. You are more likely to gets globs of sand, and most of it will sink to the bottom of the paint can.

Can You Paint an Old Concrete Driveway?

You can paint an old concrete driveway by following a few more steps. After you clean the driveway, fill in holes and cracks. Level out any uneven areas with cement slurry. Old concrete tends to have a very rough surface, so you want to sand it down before applying the paint. Use an angled grinder or orbital sander with diamond sandpaper.

Related Questions

How do you remove driveway paint?

Paint stripper removes driveway paint from concrete. Paint stripper softens asphalt, so the best option is to apply a fresh layer of asphalt coating.

What Did We Learn?

Driveway paint lasts up to 5 years when it is applied properly. Use an epoxy-based paint for long-lasting results. The best way to apply driveway paint is with a 3/8″ roller. Work in small sections, and overlap the paint by a few inches.

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