A stone and paving sealer protects natural stone, slasto, concrete, pavers and brick against sun, moisture, staining and salt — while a tinted paint changes the colour instead of preserving the natural look. Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer is a solvent-based, penetrating sealer that gives a satin "wet look" and keeps the natural stone visible; for a solid colour, you paint instead. This guide explains what a sealer does, which surfaces it suits, and how to apply and maintain it.
What does a stone and paving sealer do?
A sealer penetrates the pores of stone and paving to block water, ultraviolet (UV) sun, oils and salts, so the surface does not dull, stain, grow mould or shed salt deposits. Stone Sealer soaks in rather than sitting on top, preserving the natural colour and bringing out a satin, wet-look finish. By filling the pores it stops spills and moisture soaking in, which makes the surface far easier to clean and much more resistant to UV dulling, efflorescence and algae.
Should you seal or paint stone and paving?
Seal when you want to keep the natural stone look and protect it; paint when you want to change the colour or hide stains. A penetrating sealer preserves the texture and grain; an opaque paint covers it with solid colour. Use this table:
| You want… | Use |
|---|---|
| Preserve the natural look of slasto, slate or stone | Stone Sealer |
| Protect pavers, brick or concrete, keep the texture | Stone Sealer |
| Change the colour of a patio or stoep | Concrete Enamel |
| A hard-wearing painted driveway | Road Marking Paint or Concrete Enamel |
| Hide stains and discolouration | Concrete Enamel |
What surfaces can you seal?
Stone Sealer works on natural stone, slasto, sandstone, concrete, cement screeds, pavers, clay and cement bricks and outdoor tiles. These porous masonry surfaces all absorb the penetrating resin, which anchors inside the pores and protects from within. It suits patios, stoeps, walkways, driveways, pool surrounds, braai areas, garden paving and face brick. The one thing to match is porosity — very smooth or dense surfaces take a thinned first coat to penetrate, while open, porous stone drinks it in readily.
What finish does a sealer give?
Stone Sealer dries to a low-gloss satin "wet look" that deepens and enriches the natural colour of the stone. Unlike a water-based sealer that tends to dry clear, this solvent-based, resin sealer highlights the natural hues of slasto, sandstone and granite — the sought-after wet look many homeowners want. The satin sheen also keeps a safe, textured walking surface rather than a slippery gloss. The colour enhancement stays for as long as the sealer film is intact.
Does sealing stop efflorescence and mould?
Yes — sealing blocks the water that carries salts to the surface (efflorescence) and creates a surface that resists algae and mould. Efflorescence forms when water migrates through masonry and deposits white salts as it evaporates; Stone Sealer uses a breathable film that stops liquid water entering while letting vapour escape, cutting off the salt-transport mechanism. The cured acrylic film also makes the surface inhospitable to algae and mould spores. For a persistent salt problem, see how to stop efflorescence on stone.
Is a sealer waterproof, and does it stop weeds?
A sealer makes paving highly water-repellent and helps limit weeds and moss in the joints, but it is a protective seal rather than a full waterproofing membrane. Water beads and runs off a sealed surface instead of soaking in, which keeps the stone drier and discourages the moss and weed growth that thrives in damp, open joints. It does not hold back standing water or replace under-slab waterproofing. For sealing bricks specifically, see the brick sealer guide, and for concrete, the concrete sealer guide.
Can you seal old or weathered paving?
Yes — old, dull or greyed paving is one of the best candidates for sealing, because the penetrating resin revives the faded colour and restores protection to worn stone. Weathered slasto, sandstone and pavers that have lost their colour under years of sun and rain come back to life with the satin wet-look finish, which deepens the natural tone again. The key is preparation: strip off any old failed coating, clean out ingrained dirt, algae and efflorescence, repair loose joints, and let the surface dry fully first. Once the old paving is clean, sound and dry, two coats of Stone Sealer restore both the look and the water and stain resistance. Badly spalled or crumbling stone should be repaired first, since a sealer protects sound stone rather than rebuilding damaged material.
How do you prepare a surface before sealing?
Clean the surface completely, remove old wax or failed sealer, repair cracks, and let it dry until the substrate moisture is below 8 percent (%). Pressure-wash off dirt, moss, algae and old efflorescence; strip any old wax or incompatible sealer, because it blocks bonding; fill cracks; and wait for a run of dry weather. Sealing damp stone traps moisture and causes a white, cloudy bloom under the film, so the moisture check is the single most important step. In coastal areas, rinse off salt with fresh water first.
How do you apply stone sealer?
Apply with a soft brush or mohair roller in thin, even coats — thinning the first coat by 10% with xylene on smooth or dense surfaces to help it penetrate. On porous stone, the first coat can go on neat; on dense or very smooth surfaces, the 10% thinning drops the viscosity so the resin anchors deep in the pores. Work in one direction to avoid lap marks, apply between mid-morning and early afternoon on a dry day, and avoid the midday heat, which flash-dries the resin and can trap tiny bubbles. The full method is in how to seal slasto and paving.
How many coats and how much do you need?
Two coats is standard, at about 8 to 10 square metres (m²) per litre on the first coat, so a 5 litre (L) tin covers roughly 40 to 50 m² per coat. Thin the first coat only, then apply the second at full strength to build the designed film for UV and stain protection. Allow at least 4 hours between coats. A new or previously unsealed surface needs the full two coats; a resealing job usually needs only one maintenance coat, which keeps upkeep cost-effective.
How long does a sealer last and when do you reseal?
Expect about 3 to 5 years on standard foot-traffic paving, or 2 to 3 years on driveways and high-moisture areas like pool surrounds. A solvent-based sealer wears as a sacrificial layer, so when tyre tracks or busy areas start to dull, you solvent-wipe and recoat just those areas — no full strip needed. Reseal sun-exposed and coastal surfaces sooner. Catching the wear early with a maintenance coat is far less work than restoring bare, weathered stone.
What about painting a driveway or patio?
If you want a solid colour rather than the natural stone, paint the surface: Road Marking Paint for a hard-wearing driveway, or Concrete Enamel for a patio or stoep. Road Marking Paint is tough and UV-stable for vehicle traffic, while Concrete Enamel gives a durable coloured coat on patios and walkways. Prime chalky or powdery concrete with Clear Bonding Liquid first. See the guide to paint for outdoor paving and the floor paint guide.
Sizes and cost
Stone Sealer comes in 5 litre (L) and 20 L. Compare on covered area over two coats rather than the tin price. For current pricing, see the product page or the full price list.
Where to buy stone & paving sealer in South Africa
Shop Rhinoluxe Stone Sealer with national delivery, or visit our paint shops in Table View, Cape Town and Edenvale, Johannesburg. For trade pricing and advice, call +27 84 985 6141.
