The quick answer to why Jet-Seal uses Brewer Cote® is because it simply lasts longer. Let’s break down the reasons that make Brewer Cote® pavement sealer “The Best in the Business.” Brewer Cote® is a 100% refined tar emulsion pavement sealer. Unlike the asphalt it is designed to protect or pavement sealer made from asphalt, refined tar emulsion pavement sealer resists oxidation from the sun and spills from gasoline and oil. At Jet-Seal we use the same product for sealcoating shopping centers and other high traffic commercial parking lots as we do on your residential driveway. The only difference is the number of coats applied and the frequency of the maintenance schedule. We recommend two coats on a residential driveway the very first time it is sealed and then a single coat every other year. For commercial parking lots we advise two coats every three years. You may ask, why the maintenance schedules differ. Commercial parking lots have a lot more traffic and typically have a more rigorous snow removal process compared to your residential driveway. When sealcoat is applied, the film (dried sealer) needs to wear before applying more. Film build up will cause cracking and chipping.
Colloid Mill vs. Batch Manufacturing
All pavement products are not created equally. When deciding which sealer to use on a job, understand the differences in manufacturing before you buy. Brewer Cote uses only tested and certified raw materials in a sophisticated colloid milling process to produce the most consistent pavement products available. Colloid milling is a continuous process which produces a highly stable and homogeneous emulsion. Batch processes cannot achieve this, no matter how skilled the operator.
Why do batch processes fall short?
A batch system is like a cake mixer, where conditions change throughout the process. At the beginning, temperatures can vary, liquid volume is relatively small, and there is no ability to create adequate pressure to enable better shear. At the end, the rising liquid level above the mixing blades reduces the ability of raw materials to blend. This results in inconsistent particles and a potentially unstable and less predictable product.
What makes the colloid mill superior?
The colloid mill resembles a jet engine in its design, performance, and complexity. Raw materials are squeezed using pressure and sheared through tight tolerances of the mill’s rotor and stator. Controlled pressures, temperatures, and flows deliver a homogeneous pavement sealer with consistently sized particles. This creates a more stable emulsion for better performance in longevity and color consistency.
The results are real!
In nearly 60 years of manufacturing sealers, colloid milled sealers have shown better color uniformity, consistency, and performance from load to load when compared to batch-made sealers. No more guessing about quality when sealer arrives on your jobsite. With Brewer Cote, you can expect the best.
What is refined tar?
Refined tar is derived from crude coke oven tar produced in the manufacturing of steel. The crude coke oven tar is then refined, through distillation, into several products, including various grades of road tar (RT). RT-12 grade refined tar, which conforms to the requirements of ASTM D490, is used to produce refined tar emulsion pavement sealers.
Why use refined tar emulsion pavement sealer?
Asphalt pavements, left unprotected, will be damaged and eventually destroyed by the effects of thermal and UV induced oxidation, erosion caused by moisture, gasoline and oil drippings, salt and chemicals. Refined tar emulsion pavement sealers, due to their unique chemical and molecular structure, are inherently resistant to these elements and provide protection superior to asphalt based pavement sealers. Regular application of refined tar emulsion pavement sealers will extend the life of the pavement and protect the investment it represents.
What is solids content?
Solids content is a measure of the non-volatile components present in a pavement sealer and generally indicates the combined amount of tar (resin) and clay (filler) present in the sealer. Typically, the higher the solids content of the concentrated pavement sealer, the more water that can be added to achieve the recommended solids content on the pavement. For maximum protection, The Brewer Company recommends that the solids content of the diluted pavement sealer, as applied, should be 35-40%. Brewer Cote® is produced at a consistent solids content of 51-52%, which is the highest level in the industry.
What is ash content?
Ash content is a measure of the non-binding, inorganic components present in a pavement sealer and generally indicates the amount of clay (filler) present in the sealer. Refined tar emulsion pavement sealer produced with a low ash content (less than 35%) usually has a high tar content and is softer and more susceptible to tracking after application. Whereas, refined tar emulsion pavement sealer produced with a high ash content (greater than 38%) usually has a low tar content and is harder and more likely to wear prematurely or flake off the surface. The Brewer Company, as an industry leader, produces Brewer Cote® at a consistent ash content of 36-37% to maximize performance and wear resistance, while diminishing the risk of tracking.
Does thicker sealer mean better sealer?
A thicker pavement sealer does not necessarily imply a better performing pavement sealer. Concentrated refined tar emulsion pavement sealer produced at 51-52% solids content and 36-37% ash content will appear thick. However, pavement sealer produced with a high ash content (greater than 38%) or produced with high water swelling clays or other thickening agents, will generally appear thicker, even though its solids content may be less. Often, contractors mistakenly determine how much water to add to the concentrated sealer based upon how thick the sealer appears and not based upon solids content. As a result, too much water can be added to an already low solids concentrated pavement sealer, reducing the solids content below the level necessary for acceptable performance on the pavement.