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Imagine you have just finished getting a parking lot sealcoated.
It has that pristine black color that makes the new parking lines pop and look great.
The whole parking lot looks amazing.
Then it starts to get traffic and in only a day you start to see scuffs and marks.
Power steering and scuff marks are common on freshly sealcoated parking lots, especially as traffic increases.
While these marks might concern customers, it’s important to educate them about why this happens and how it can be managed effectively.
Customer Education Is The Key
As a contractor It is important to advise customers of these facts for several different reasons.
You always want to educate the customer because they will come right back to you with any questions they have.
It also gives the customer peace of mind to know that this is a normal circumstance and that there isn’t anything wrong with the job you just did for them.
The Marks left from power steering and tire scuffs are a normal part of the process, and they will eventually fade away.
We see more of these marks as the summer time temperatures climb so be sure to let the customer know this as well.
How Do We Resolve The Problem
One way you can combat these normal marks is to use polymer additives.
Additives do exactly what they sound like they do.
They are an additional chemical that you add to your sealcoating spray to improve the quality and characteristics of the sealcoat.
They are typically added to chemically enhance the toughness and tenacity of the sealcoat.
Here are some of the things that additives can do for your sealcoat which will help you convince the customer they are necessary.
- Suspends and locks in sand
- Improved gas and oil resistance
- Toughens the sealer film to reduce scuffing
- Rubberized pavement sealer for added strength and flexibility
- Fortified with fast-drying additives
- Dries Blacker
Make Sure You Have All The Right Materials
If scuffs and other durability issues are a concern for your customer, then you will want to talk with them about additives.
If you are using additives the sealcoat manufacturer recommends adding some type of silica sand or aggregate in the applied asphalt sealer.
This will help combat marks even further as it adds an abrasive surface.
This means it will have a surface that is capable of better traction and therefore, less scuffing.
A simple feel test will reveal if the previous sealcoat used aggregate or silica sand.
You will be able to feel the abrasive surface just by running your hand across it.
It shouldn’t be smooth and slippery when wet either. This is very important when using a coal tar sealant as it is extra slick compared to Asphalt Emulsion(AE) sealcoats like Safe Seal™.
You will want an additional coat of sealer with silica or aggregate if you determine it is not in there.
You can always contact us if you have any questions about the type of sealcoat, additives, or aggregate or silica being used for sealcoating.
We pride ourselves on making you sure you know everything you need to know about our products and services.
Feel free to contact us at B&E Sealcoat any time.
