Luckily, it’s not too difficult to give your polished black river rock a bright luster. One of the quickest and easiest ways to do this is to use a high-gloss sealant that’s specifically designed to give landscaping rocks a shiny wet look. Below, we outline the steps involved in this process.
Clean Your Black River Rocks
You need to make sure your river rocks are as clean as possible before you apply a sealant. If you skip this step, you’re just going to seal in leaves, bugs, and dirt. The size of your river rocks will determine the tools you’ll need to clean them. If you have large decorative stones, start with a leaf blower to clear out loose debris, then use a pressure washer to get rid of the more stubborn caked-on dirt.
If you have smaller black polished pebbles, a leaf blower and power washer are likely to just scatter them, so you’ll need to manually clean your decorative rocks. For medium-sized and larger pebbles, you can simply scrub them with a stiff brush and warm soapy water. If you have smaller river rocks, you can remove the dirt with minimal effort by soaking them in a bucket of water and vinegar. Finally, rinse all your river rocks thoroughly with a hose and rearrange them if necessary.
Take Off Old Sealant
If you’ve applied sealant to your river rocks in the past and you want to refresh them with a new coat, make sure to read the instructions for the sealing product you plan to use. Some require you to sand down the old coating before you apply the new one. Alternatively, you may be able to use a product called a sealer stripper to complete this step.
Even if you don’t have old sealant that needs to be removed, sanding your black river rocks can still give them a more vibrant shine before you apply the sealer. After you’ve cleaned your decorative rocks, rub off the surface layers using coarse sandpaper. You can do this by hand, or you can use an orbital sander or a rotary tool. For your safety, wear a mask and eye protection when you’re sanding your decorative rocks. When you’re done, use a hose to rinse the dust off your river rocks.
Apply the Sealer
Your river rocks should be completely dry before you apply the high-gloss sealant, and you should wait until the outdoor temperature is suitable. Some sealants specify the temperature should be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also best to apply the sealant on a calm day with no wind so leaves and other types of flying debris won’t get stuck in the sealant while it’s drying.
If you have a large area of black river rock, an easy way to apply the sealant is to use a pump-action sprayer, but make sure to follow the instructions on the specific product you’re using. The manufacturer’s recommendation may specify using a roller or a paintbrush instead of a sprayer. Typically, only one coat of sealant will be needed to make your black river rocks shine, but if you want to intensify the luster even more, you can apply a second coat after the first one has completely dried.
No matter what type of landscaping project you’re planning, decorative rocks, stones, or beach pebbles can add immense depth, character, and beauty to it. When you’re ready to get started on your landscaping plan, reach out to the experts at RS&P Rock Stones & Pebbles, a premier provider of river rock, beach pebbles, and a wide variety of decorative stones. To learn how we can help you create the landscape of your dreams, call us today at (866) 380-0770.
