Cleaning and sealing/refreshing tarmac driveway

ashe

We have quite a large tarmac driveway (could fit 5 cars at a push) and my partner is on at me to get someone to clean it and get it resealed/refreshed so that it looks better - its not in bad nick, a little frost damage but otherwise fairly good condition.

I did look at some of the products that you paint on yourself which practically look like black paint but must be more to it than that - but reviews seem spotty as to its effectiveness, some rave over it, some say it washed off a few weeks later, but in general reviews are OK and many have pictures with it looking good but would be good to hear some first hand comments.

We contacted a local company last night to get a quote and he came over today and quoted us £350 to clean it and reseal it - normal price £550 apparently but was doing work in a nearby street. This screamed sales tactic to me so we said we were happy with the quote and went to think on it, and by that I mean google it, and everything online seems to suggest you only get this done in spring/summer or at a push early autumn as needs dry weather and a certain temp to cure it.

Has anyone had a tarmac driveway cleaned and sealed? is it easy to repair frost damaged parts and have it look decent or will it just rapidly deteriorate? I don't want to throw good money after it if its just going to degrade again in 6 months time.

EssexExile

Personally I don't understand the desire to make a tarmac drive look nice. I replaced the block paving with tarmac so I didn't have to worry about looking after it.

A neighbour however paints his tarmac drive, and the footpath that goes past his house, every spring. I think it looks daft but each to his own.

ashe

Thanks, I guess?