This guide is built by Trident Trusted Certified Master Technicians and follows Trident Protects product guidelines.
What the Guide Asks and Why
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Surface | Marble and soft natural stone need penetrating sealers; pavers and travertine can take film-forming, joint-stabilizing sealers. |
| Location | Driveways need hardness against tires, pool decks need grip, seawalls need salt protection. |
| Tire marks | Hot tires can lift softer sealers. A 2-part urethane cures harder and resists tire marking. |
| Sun exposure | Full sun calls for UV stability; full shade calls for mildew resistance and better traction. |
| Finish | Natural, enhanced, or wet look sets the product and the dilution. |
| Condition | New pavers may need to wait; failed or incompatible sealer must be stripped first. |
| Other problems | Sand loss, salt, oil, rust, efflorescence, slipping, and mildew each add a prep step or add-on. |
Trident Sealers at a Glance
| Sealer | Type | Finish | Best for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane CAT 5 | 2-part water-based urethane, joint stabilizing | Semi-gloss to high gloss | Driveways, tire marks, pool decks, enhanced color | Marble, granite, polished stone |
| Cyclone | Joint stabilizing | Natural matte | Pavers where you want no shine | Marble |
| Break Wall | Water-based penetrating | Invisible | Marble, natural stone, travertine, salt exposure | Joint stabilization |
| Sea Wall | Solvent-based penetrating | Invisible | Seawalls and heavy salt exposure | Joint stabilization |
Sun, Shade, and Your Sealer
In full sun, sealer wears faster and color fades, so a UV-stable sealer that won't yellow matters most, and resealing comes due sooner. In full shade, surfaces stay damp longer, so mildew resistance, a breathable sealer, and a slip-resistant additive on pool decks matter more. See mold, mildew, and algae on pavers.
Tire Marks and Driveway Sealers
Hot tires can soften and lift weaker sealers, especially where cars turn and park. Hurricane CAT 5 cures hard, stays stable up to 180°F, and has twice as much urethane as other brands, so it's our pick for driveways with tire marking. Existing marks are cleaned first; read removing oil and tire marks from pavers.
Want to compare finishes in person? See sand colors and sealer finishes or the full list of paver sealing products we use.
Sealer Selection Guide FAQs
How does the sealer selection guide work?
It asks about your surface, where it is, sun exposure, tire marks on driveways, the finish you want, current condition, and any problems, then matches Trident's product information to your answers.
Can I buy and apply these sealers myself?
Hurricane CAT 5 and the other sealers in the guide are professional-use products. We apply them after a test area and a written estimate.
Why does sun exposure change the recommendation?
Full sun wears sealer faster, so UV stability matters most. Full shade stays damp, so mildew resistance, breathability, and slip resistance matter more.
Which sealer is best for a driveway with tire marks?
Hurricane CAT 5. It's a 2-part urethane that cures hard and stays stable up to 180°F, so it stands up to hot tires better than softer sealers.
Why won't the guide recommend a wet look sealer for marble?
Trident's data sheet says film-forming wet look sealers like Hurricane CAT 5 aren't recommended on marble or polished stone, so marble gets a penetrating sealer.