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Best Squeegees, Brushes and Sealcoating Tools
The cheap foam applicator that comes taped to some sealer pails will technically spread sealer. It will also make the job take twice as long and leave streaks you will look at all summer. A real squeegee and a decent brush are the best money you will spend on this job, and they last for years.
Quick picks
| Product | Price | Why pick it |
|---|---|---|
| MARSHALLTOWN 36" Asphalt Squeegee, 60" Handle | $$ | Best squeegee for most driveways |
| MARSHALLTOWN 30" Asphalt Squeegee, 60" Handle | $$$ | Easier to control on smaller or narrow driveways |
| MARSHALLTOWN 36" Heavy Duty Seal Coating Broom | $$$ | Pro-style broom for working sealer into the surface |
| Kraft Tool GG848 36" Sealcoat Brush | $$ | Sealcoat brush with a threaded handle adapter |
| DQB Driveway Coater Brush with 24" Handle | $$ | Edges, corners, and touch-ups |
Squeegee or brush?
A squeegee moves a lot of sealer fast and leaves a smooth, even film. It is the right tool for the open field of the driveway, especially with thinner sealers.
A sealcoat brush or broom pushes sealer down into the pores and small cracks of rough, older asphalt, and it handles thick, sand-filled sealers better. It also leaves a uniform brushed texture that hides lap marks.
Most people do best with both: squeegee to spread, brush to work it in and to finish edges. If you only buy one, buy the squeegee for a smoother, newer driveway and the brush for an older, rougher one.
What makes a good sealcoating tool
- Width. 30 to 36 inches is the sweet spot for driveways. Wider is faster but heavier when loaded with sealer.
- Blade material. Neoprene or rubber blades flex over a crowned or uneven driveway without skipping.
- Handle. A 60-inch handle lets you work standing up, which your back will appreciate by the third pail.
- Bristles. Look for stiff, solvent-resistant synthetic bristles that won't mat down after one use.
The tools we recommend
MARSHALLTOWN 36" Asphalt Squeegee, 60" Handle
- 36-inch neoprene blade, long wood handle, made by a trusted masonry tool brand. Spreads fast and evenly.
- Heavier than plastic squeegees once it is loaded with sealer.
Marshalltown has made trowels and paving tools for over a century, and this squeegee is built to last. The neoprene blade conforms to the driveway's crown so you don't leave thick and thin stripes. If you buy one tool, buy this one.
MARSHALLTOWN 30" Asphalt Squeegee, 60" Handle
- Narrower 30-inch blade is easier to steer and lighter to pull.
- Price runs higher than the 36-inch model at times. Compare before buying.
The 30-inch version is easier to control around cars, mailboxes, and narrow walkways, and it is less tiring for a first job.
MARSHALLTOWN 36" Heavy Duty Seal Coating Broom
- Heavy-duty broom that works thick sealer into the surface. Assembled in the USA.
- Slower than a squeegee for the main surface.
This is closer to what contractors use for brush-applied sealer. On a weathered driveway, brushing gets sealer into the pores and gives better coverage than a squeegee alone.
Kraft Tool GG848 36" Sealcoat Brush
- 36-inch sealcoat brush with a threaded handle adapter. Durable bristles.
- Check whether a handle is included before ordering.
Kraft Tool is another brand you will find in professional supply houses. A good pick if you already have a threaded handle or want a spare brush head.
DQB Driveway Coater Brush with 24" Handle
- Compact brush with a 24-inch handle. Precise along garage doors and walkways.
- Too small for the whole driveway.
Every job needs a small brush for cutting in edges before you squeegee. This one is inexpensive and does exactly that.
Small extras that help
- Drill mixing paddle. Stirring five gallons by hand is a workout, and unmixed sealer goes on streaky.
- Crack weeder brush. A long-handled crack weeder pulls grass out of cracks before you fill them.
- Chemical-resistant gloves and old shoes. Sealer doesn't come out of clothes or sneakers.
- Cardboard and painter's tape to protect concrete, siding, and garage doors.
Cleaning and storing your tools
Clean squeegees and brushes with water as soon as you finish, while the sealer is still wet. Once it dries, it's permanent. Hang brushes bristle-down or flat so the bristles keep their shape, and store everything out of the sun. Treated well, these tools will handle many seasons of resealing.
Common tool mistakes
- Pressing too hard. Let the blade glide. Leaning on a squeegee scrapes sealer off the high spots and leaves it pooled in the low ones.
- Working too far ahead. Pour only as much sealer as you can spread in a few minutes, especially on a hot day.
- Letting the brush dry out mid-job. If you take a break, set the brush in a bucket of water so the sealer doesn't harden in the bristles.
- Using a paint roller. Rollers lay sealer on too thin, leave the sand behind, and fall apart fast. Save them for the house.
Our bottom line
Skip the foam applicator. A 36-inch neoprene squeegee and a small edging brush will make your job faster and the finish noticeably better. Add a sealcoat broom if your driveway is older and rough. Then follow our step-by-step guide.
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