Does your asphalt driveway look dull and faded? Maybe you see cracks appearing. A worn-out driveway hurts your home’s look. It also means less protection for your investment. Choosing the right paint can fix these problems. But the choices are confusing! Should you pick latex, acrylic, or something else? How long will the paint last? These questions stop many homeowners from starting a great driveway project.
Don’t let a patchy driveway bring down your curb appeal. We understand the struggle. That is why we created this complete guide. You will learn exactly what to look for in asphalt driveway paint. We will break down the best types for durability and a beautiful finish. Keep reading to discover the secrets to a long-lasting, vibrant driveway that everyone will admire.
Top Paint For Asphalt Driveway Recommendations
- Includes 2 cans (17 oz each) | Jet Black | Model 20-701
- Matches most driveway and pavement sealers
- Restores uniform appearance to asphalt surfaces
- Covers up to 15 sq. ft. or 250 linear ft (striping) per can
- Dries to touch in 15 minutes | Traffic-ready in 1 hour
- DRIVEWAY RESTORE - Revitalizing your aging, weathered asphalt driveway, giving it a refreshed new finish, and protect the longevity of your driveway
- FLEXIBLE HEAVY-DUTY COATING - Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore waterproof and durable sealant designed to withstand weathering and deterioration
- ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY - Liquid Rubber Driveway Restore is water based and non-toxic, containing no solvents and low VOC's. High quality products that are safe for you and the environment
- EASY TO APPLY - Paint on the application using a conventional brush, roller equipment, or foam squeegee; Apply heavy coats to build up your waterproof membrane
- COVERAGE - Application for Asphalt surface only; Apply a minimum final thickness of 1 gallon per 50 sq ft. It should require 2-3 coats to build up the protective waterproofing membrane
- Effortless Pothole Repair: Fix potholes fast with no mixing or special tools. Liquid Rubber Asphalt Patch is a ready-to-use solution—just scoop, spread, and tamp down. Ideal for homeowners or pros tackling driveways, parking lots, or road repairs
- All-Weather Application: Designed to work in rain, shine, heat, or cold. Whether you're fixing damage in the middle of summer or patching during fall weather, this patch performs year-round with a strong bond and reliable hold
- Built to Last: Formulated for strength and flexibility, it resists cracking and shrinking over time. Creates a smooth, durable finish that holds up to foot traffic, cars, and harsh weather conditions
- Trusted by Pros for 20+ Years: With over 1 million gallons sold, Liquid Rubber Asphalt Patch is a proven performer. Whether you’re patching your first pothole or maintaining a commercial lot, you’re backed by decades of performance and support
- Clean Application, Easy Cleanup: No mess, no stress. Apply directly from the pail and clean up with simple tools and baby oil or mineral spirit
- This is a HEAVY DUTY non-rubberized aerosol driveway sealer that fills cracks to help prevent water intrusion, a leading cause of driveway deterioration
- Ideal for use before a driveway is re-sealed
- A convenient option for small jobs when hot applied asphalt equipment is not available
- Unlike squeeze bottles, the pressurized can will deeply inject the sealer to fill cracks up to 3/8” wide and 1/2” deep
- Suggested Uses: Driveway and sidewalk cracks
- Seals Out Moisture & Debris
- All-Weather Flexibility
- Easy Cold Pour Application
- Commercial-Grade Asphalt Seal Coat
- DIY - Fast & Easy To Apply - No Special Tools Needed
- Formulated To Remain FLEXIBLE in HOT and COLD Weather
- Fill Cracks up to ONE INCH WIDE
- Seals Cracks To Prevent Further Damage
- MADE IN THE U.S.A.
- Durable Epoxy Acrylic Formula: Resists hot tire pickup, scuffing, cracking, peeling, and fading. KILZ 1-Part Epoxy Floor Paint delivers long-lasting protection and a satin finish that looks great on concrete surfaces.
- Interior & Exterior Use: Designed for use on both indoor and outdoor horizontal surfaces. Ideal as concrete paint for basements, garage floors, and as an exterior paint for porches, driveways, and pool decks.
- Versatile Surface Application: Use on properly prepared porous concrete, masonry, stone, and brick. Not for vertical surfaces or areas exposed to hydrostatic pressure or forklift traffic. Residential use only.
- Low-VOC, Easy Application: This water-based interior/exterior paint applies easily with a roller or brush and cleans up with soap and water. Covers 300–400 sq. ft. per gallon on smooth surfaces, 200–300 on rough.
- Trusted KILZ Performance: KILZ has been a leader in surface coatings for over 50 years. Backed by a brand known for quality and innovation in paint and primer solutions for every part of your home.
Your Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Paint for Your Asphalt Driveway
Asphalt driveways look great when new. Over time, sun, rain, and car tires can make them look dull and cracked. Painting your asphalt driveway brings it back to life! This guide helps you pick the right paint for a long-lasting, beautiful finish.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping for driveway paint, certain features make a big difference in how well the paint performs. Look for these key elements:
- Durability and Wear Resistance: Your driveway handles heavy cars and foot traffic. The paint must resist chipping, peeling, and fading from constant use.
- UV Protection: The sun’s rays break down many materials. Good asphalt paint includes UV blockers to stop the color from fading quickly.
- Water Resistance: Rain and snow can seep under the paint, causing it to lift. Choose a paint that strongly repels water.
- Flexibility: Asphalt expands in the heat and shrinks when it gets cold. The paint needs to stretch and shrink with the asphalt so it does not crack as the surface moves.
- Tire Mark Resistance: Hot tires can sometimes pull up fresh paint. Check reviews to ensure the paint dries hard enough to resist hot-tire pickup.
2. Important Materials: What’s in the Can?
The type of paint binder used determines the paint’s strength and longevity. You will mainly see two types for asphalt:
Acrylic Latex Paints:
These are the most common choice. They are water-based, which makes cleanup easy and the fumes mild. Acrylic paints dry fast and offer good color retention. They work best in mild to moderate climates.
Epoxy or Urethane Coatings:
These are very tough, often two-part systems. They create a thick, hard shell over the asphalt. They offer superior resistance to oil spills and heavy abrasion. These are ideal for driveways that see very heavy use or extreme weather.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of the final paint job depends on both the product and how you use it.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Surface Preparation: This is the most important step! You must thoroughly clean the asphalt. Remove all dirt, grease, and loose debris. Oil stains must be treated with a degreaser before painting.
- Primer Use: Using a high-quality asphalt primer seals porous spots and helps the topcoat stick much better. This greatly improves how long the paint lasts.
- Proper Application Thickness: Applying the paint too thinly leads to quick wear. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct number of coats and drying times between coats.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
- Painting in Bad Weather: Applying paint when it is too cold, too hot, or too humid will cause poor adhesion. The paint will bubble or fail to cure correctly.
- Painting Over Damaged Asphalt: Paint hides surface imperfections, but it cannot fix deep cracks or major potholes. These issues must be repaired first, or the new paint will quickly crack over the damage.
- Using Standard Exterior Paint: House paint is not designed for the constant stress of vehicle traffic. It will fail very quickly when used on a driveway.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
Most homeowners choose driveway paint to improve curb appeal and protect their investment.
User Experience:
A positive user experience often involves easy application. Acrylic paints are usually rollable or brushable, making them DIY-friendly. Users love the immediate visual transformation. However, be prepared for downtime. You must keep cars off the driveway for at least 48 to 72 hours after the final coat for proper curing.
Use Cases:
- Aesthetic Refresh: The most common use is turning faded, gray asphalt into a crisp, deep black or a decorative color.
- Crack Sealing: While paint is not a true sealer, a high-quality coating helps keep minor surface moisture out, slowing down minor deterioration.
- Garage Floors: Some heavy-duty asphalt coatings can also be used on concrete garage floors, offering versatility if you have both surfaces.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Asphalt Driveway Paint
Q: How long does driveway paint usually last?
A: A good quality acrylic coating lasts between three to five years. Premium epoxy systems might last longer, sometimes up to seven years, depending on traffic levels.
Q: Can I paint my driveway if it has small cracks?
A: Yes, but you should fill significant cracks (wider than a pencil) with a specialized asphalt crack filler first. Paint helps seal very fine surface crazing, but it won’t bridge large gaps.
Q: What is the best temperature range for painting asphalt?
A: Most manufacturers recommend painting when the surface temperature is between 50°F and 90°F. Always check the specific product label.
Q: Do I need to seal the asphalt before painting?
A: Sealing is optional, but using an asphalt primer or sealer first is highly recommended. It helps the paint stick better and stops the asphalt from soaking up too much of the expensive topcoat.
Q: How long must I wait before driving on the freshly painted driveway?
A: You should wait at least 48 hours, but 72 hours is safer, especially in cool or humid weather. Check the can for the manufacturer’s specific cure time.
Q: Can I use a paint sprayer on my driveway?
A: Yes, many high-quality paints can be sprayed, which speeds up the job greatly. However, you must use an airless sprayer rated for thick coatings, and you often need to back-roll the paint for a smooth finish.
Q: Will the paint wash away in heavy rain?
A: No. If the paint has fully cured, it becomes highly water-resistant. Rain will simply bead up and run off the surface.
Q: Is driveway paint slippery when wet?
A: Some smooth finishes can be slick. Look for paints that contain fine grit or silica additives. These additives provide texture and improve traction, especially on slopes.
Q: How do I clean up paint spills?
A: If you use water-based acrylic paint, soap and water work fine while the paint is still wet. If you use oil-based or epoxy products, you will need mineral spirits or the appropriate solvent listed on the can.
Q: Does painting the driveway make it hotter in the summer?
A: Dark (black) paint absorbs more sunlight than natural gray asphalt, so yes, the surface temperature will increase slightly. Some specialized reflective coatings are available if heat absorption is a major concern.