Enhance natural stone colour, lock aggregate in place and protect against the elements, salt air and organic staining with a maintainable Nutech solvent-based acrylic system.
When done correctly, sealing exposed aggregate makes a significant difference to both appearance and longevity. It enhances the natural colour of the stone, locks the aggregate in place, and protects the surface from Melbourne’s demanding conditions — including UV/cold exposure, salt air, organic staining from trees, and general weathering. Many projects sit alongside driveway sealing as part of a wider outdoor concrete upgrade.
We apply a custom two-coat Nutech solvent-based acrylic system. This is a maintainable coating that typically requires a thorough pressure clean followed by one clear maintenance coat every three years (approximately two years for a matt finish). Claims of significantly longer intervals without maintenance are not accurate.
Water or solvent-based polyurethane systems are generally unsuitable for exposed aggregate. These coatings are non-penetrating, non-maintainable and can give a plastic rather than a 'wet' look. Once they break down, removal usually requires full chemical stripping. They can also create a slippery surface when wet and are far more expensive than our Nutech penetrating solvent based sealers.
Our standard system consists of two specialised coats, followed by regular maintenance. A pressure clean and single clear maintenance coat every three years is typically all that is required, with the entire maintenance process usually completed in half a day (in summer only).
Sealing over damaged or weathered exposed aggregate
When exposed aggregate has lost its visual appeal due to age, become pitted, or has mismatched areas from previous concrete repairs, we can often restore the surface without full replacement. Where open cracks need attention first, we may recommend cosmetic crack repairs before sealing.
We use a three-coat Colour solvent-based acrylic system. The first two coats are diluted to allow stone adhesion and deeper penetration into the weathered surface, while the final coat is applied at full strength for maximum durability and protection.
Coloured sealers have different maintenance requirements. Surfaces can typically go 5–10+ years between recoats depending on exposure, wear and traffic — significantly longer than standard clear sealing because of the heavier system build and coating properties.
Tinting or restoring colour on poorly poured or undesirable exposed aggregate
Some exposed aggregate suffers from inconsistent or undesirable colour due to poor batching, uneven pouring, or previous failed sealing attempts. In these cases, we can apply a controlled colour tint to improve the overall appearance.
We typically work with a 90% colour dilution, allowing the tint to penetrate the cement paste while minimising impact on the stone colour itself. Depending on the desired outcome, we apply between two to four colour coats, followed by two final clear coats.
All coats must be applied using an airless sprayer. Roller application risks spreading the colour unevenly and can compromise the final result.
In this project, the concrete came from a bad batch. The client wanted a “Rustic” finish to better complement the home. After the concreter failed in every way, it was subsequently sandblasted (which increased patchiness), then we came in and successfully delivered the desired 'rustic' appearance our client had always wished for. This specific result is not always perfectly replicable, as it depends on variations in the original concrete.
Stripping old sealer and properly resealing neglected or heavily weathered exposed aggregate
When regular maintenance has been neglected over many years, old sealers can break down and allow moisture and contaminants to penetrate the surface. In coastal environments or properties with salt water pools, this can lead to rust staining and, in more severe cases, concrete cancer.
In these situations, we chemically strip the old sealer, treat any rust or staining, and apply a fresh custom Nutech sealing system. Once restored, the surface returns to a standard maintenance schedule of a pressure clean and one maintenance coat every three years. The same careful preparation standards apply to our wider concrete sealing work across Melbourne.
We provide exposed aggregate sealing and restoration services across Melbourne’s Bayside suburbs, including Brighton, Sandringham, Beaumaris, Black Rock, Hampton, Cheltenham, Mordialloc, Mentone, Chelsea, Bonbeach, Frankston, Mornington, and St Kilda. We also service the wider South East, including Berwick, Narre Warren, Cranbourne, and Springvale. In the Inner East and Eastern suburbs, we cover areas such as Box Hill, Glen Waverley, Ringwood, Rowville, and Doncaster. For plain concrete driveways rather than aggregate, see our dedicated driveway sealing service.
Free on-site assessment for standard sealing, restoration, colour enhancement or strip-and-reseal across Bayside and greater Melbourne.
Maintainable Nutech systems · Honest advice · $20M public liability