By MATT MAURY

July and August are always big months for workers going door-to-door hoping to earn a fast buck.

At the top of the list are the familiar solicitations by folks offering to seal asphalt driveways. They may have a fancy looking truck (possibly out-of-state plates) and "just happen to be in the neighborhood doing some work and can offer a good price if you agree to have the work done right now."

The problem is that the workmanship is usually of low quality with a marginal product (often just black latex paint) for an extra high price. After the first few rain storms, the homeowner finds out that both the sealer and his money are gone.

While there are times when it may be appropriate to have asphalt sealed, consumers should avoid making a quick decision to deal with someone who is driving by. The process should be as thoughtful as when deciding to paint the house. In fact, there are many parallels.

Asphalt is porous. Water runs through it and, over time, can cause problems. Some of the base material may wash away creating breakage. Ice formed during the winter may cause cracking. Also, as the years go by, sunshine will dry the oils in the asphalt causing the pavement to become brittle and break. As cracks develop, the weather cycles will accelerate the damage. Just as painting will protect the exterior of a home, a good sealer will help protect asphalt. However, it takes time to do the job correctly.

€ First, cracks should be filled with a product made for that purpose. There are both liquid and caulk types of crack fillers available. Larger holes may be needed to be filled with blacktop patching material.

€ Next, the asphalt should be swept and washed with soapy water. Then, a good rinsing.

€ Third, the oil spots should be sealed with an asphalt primer.

€ Fourth, two thin coats of sealer should be applied, rather than one thick coat, for best protection. A thin coat will bond better; therefore, lasting longer. During the application, the product needs to be stirred regularly to keep the application uniform.

The No. 1 application problem, according to the products' manufacturers, is not keeping the solid particles mixed uniformly throughout the liquid.

As with paints, the higher-priced products are generally worth the extra dollars. Most of the cost of the project is in the labor.

Do-it-yourselfers should be especially careful to find the best quality products, not the cheapest. When evaluating products, remember that the more solids in the sealer, the better the protective coat.

The "years of protection" noted on the product labels may be helpful in comparing sealers from the same manufacturer, but there are no industry standards or testing requirements behind the claims. And, the "years of protection" are not guarantees.

A good resource prior to any asphalt repair or resealing project is the Web site for the National Pavement Contractors Association, www.pavementpro.org.