Gator Hybrid Low Gloss Color Enhancer: How to Apply and Coverage

Alliance Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer is a water based paver sealer that brings back deep, vibrant color with a restrained low gloss finish. It is the combination most often asked for on older patios: the color returns, but the pavers do not look varnished. Alliance lists it as a film former and joint stabilizer, and it is the Hybrid that Alliance also labels breathable. It is low VOC and sold in 1 and 5 gallon sizes.

This guide is for homeowners and contractors sealing previously unsealed dry cast concrete pavers. It covers what the sealer is, where Alliance says to use it and where not to, the prep and application sequence, how many gallons you need, and common questions, using figures from the Alliance Gator Hybrid Low Gloss CE technical data sheet and our product page.

What Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer is

Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer sits in the Alliance Hybrid water based line. Here are its headline traits:

Trait	Per Alliance
Finish	Low gloss
Color effect	Vibrant color enhancement
Type	Film former and joint stabilizer, also listed as breathable
Base	Water based, 100 percent pure high grade acrylic
Protection	Guards against deicing salt, UV, motor oil and grease staining
Appearance over time	Will not discolor

If you want the same sheen without the color change, Alliance makes the plain Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss. For help choosing a finish, see our article on wet look vs natural look paver sealer.

Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer specifications

Specification	Per Alliance
VOC	Under 100 g/L, SCAQMD compliant
Coverage	100 to 225 sq ft per gallon. 5 gallon covers 500 to 1,125 sq ft
Coats	One coat only
Application temperature	40°F to 85°F (5°C to 29°C)
Rain safe	24 hours
Back in use	24 hours, foot and vehicle
Surfaces	Dry cast concrete pavers
Expected finish life	2 to 3 years
Sizes	1 gallon and 5 gallon

The full coverage, preparation, application and warranty conditions are in the Hybrid Low Gloss CE technical data sheet, also in our TDS and SDS library.

Where to use it (and where not to)

Alliance rates this sealer for dry cast concrete pavers. Alliance says all of its water based sealers can be used indoors on concrete or natural stone.

The manufacturer's limits:

• Unsealed surfaces only. Not for surfaces already sealed or factory presealed. A water based sealer can never go over a solvent based one.
• New installs. Wait 60 days after the pavers are installed, and until the polymeric sand has cured 48 hours above 60°F.
• Weather. Do not apply if rain is forecast within 24 hours, or if the surface is not cool to the touch. Apply between 40°F and 85°F.
• Walls. Alliance recommends a breathable, non film forming sealer on walls. The Hybrid line is film forming, so the Gator Seal Signature Series Natural Look is the better fit there.
• Over application. Too much product causes milky or blotchy spots.

How to use Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer

This is the shape of the job, in the order Alliance gives it. The full step by step is in the data sheet.

1. Test. Seal roughly 4 sq ft in a hidden area. Alliance limits the warranty to that area if you skip it. The 8 oz Hybrid Low Gloss Plus Color sample is handy for this.
2. Remove stains. Use Gator Clean products, and strip any unknown coating with Gator Sealer Stripper.
3. Fix the joints. Replace contaminated joint sand with Gator polymeric sand, then wait 48 hours above 60°F with no rain.
4. Clean the whole surface. Use Gator Efflorescence Cleaner, then wait another 48 hours to dry.
5. Spray and back roll one coat. Work in 60 sq ft sections and back roll with a water base yellow foam roller to pull out excess and puddles. Two people works best.

On a faded patio, the product page suggests cleaning with Gator Shampoo to lift ground in dirt before the efflorescence clean, then letting the surface dry a full 48 hours. Sealing over trapped efflorescence locks the white haze in permanently. Our guides on how to clean pavers before sealing and how to seal pavers go deeper on both stages.

How much Gator Hybrid Seal Low Gloss Plus Color Enhancer you need

Alliance lists 100 to 225 sq ft per gallon, depending on joint size and paver porosity. A 5 gallon pail covers 500 to 1,125 sq ft. Because it is one coat only, you do not need to double the quantity for a second coat. Divide your area by the low end of the range for a safe estimate, or use our paver sealer coverage calculator. If you are between sizes, call us.

Safety and storage

Store the container above 32°F and out of direct sunlight. Alliance states the warranty is void if the container is not stored above 32°F, and it adds the sunlight condition on its color enhancer versions. For protective equipment, follow the label directions and the Alliance data sheet.

Watch the manufacturer's video

Frequently asked questions

Can I put this over a solvent based sealer?

No. Alliance is explicit that a water based sealer can never go over a solvent based one. A solvent sealer can go over either.

How soon can it rain after sealing?

24 hours. That is longer than the 90 minutes the solvent Gator Seal line needs, so check the forecast before you start.

When can I walk or drive on it?

After 24 hours for both foot and vehicle traffic. For more on timing, see how long to wait before using your patio after sealing.

How many coats does it need?

One. Over application is what causes milky or blotchy patches.

How long will the finish last?

Alliance puts the Hybrid water based line at 2 to 3 years, compared with 3 to 5 years for its solvent sealers.