[Doug Holloway]

Hi guys

I have been asked to seal and polish some 10 year old Teracotta tiles.

What finish would you recommend?

Cheers

Doug

[Jamie Pearson]

Have they been previously waxed or had linseed oil applied?

If so it would be best to finish with a smilar wax based product.

If not a good clean back with a high alkaline, dry, then the colour enhancing impregnator of choice.

[Doug Holloway]

Hi

I was thinking of going with a high alkaline scrub, then use my TM spinner, presumably this shouild remove any old finish?

The tiles are 10 years old and have not been cleaned in that time.

Cheers

Doug

[Kev Martin]

If they are definitely Terracotta then I would advise against the spinner.

Pre wet the floor
Apply high alkaline such as Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout diluted 3:1
Allow to dwell
Then agitate with a slow speed rotary fitted with a soft to medium brush
Vac up
Rinse
Vac again

Allow to dry then seal with a enhancing penetrating sealer such as (Aqua Mix Enrich N Seal)
Then when dry polish with a little Antiquing Wax from LTP to create a sheen.

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Kevin

Why would you advise against the spinner, it seems to do a great job of cleaning.

Cheers

Doug

[Kev Martin]

Hi Kevin

Why would you advise against the spinner, it seems to do a great job of cleaning.

Cheers

Doug

Doug

Because if they are genuine terracotta they will be really soft and it is likely high pressure will damage them.  I would use a soft to medium brush but it's your call!

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Kevin

You are the expert on this, I will tread with caution.

The spinner at fairly low pressure shoud still give a good cleaning action.

I'm reluctant to buy a wet vac when I've got a Truck Mount.

Cheers

Doug

[Kev Martin]

Hi Kevin

You are the expert on this, I will tread with caution.

The spinner at fairly low pressure shoud still give a good cleaning action.

I'm reluctant to buy a wet vac when I've got a Truck Mount.

Cheers

Doug

Doug

I aqree with you but for hard floor cleaning a Mono Rotary and a decent wet vac are best believe me.  Also have you seen the payment plan we offer to CIU Members?  We sell dozens of these Rocky's every month and no one has ever looked back!  Ask the members on here who have them and our wet vacs.

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Jamie Pearson]

Doug,

I agree with regard to not using the spinner as I have one and have seen the damage they can cause if not used properly.

Wet vacs will reduce the wear and tear on your truck and are more than adequate for these tasks..

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

Some interesting info.

Wheras I know a lot about cleaning carpets my hard floor experience is limited.

I have 450 and 170 single brush brush roataries, presumably the 170 is good for scrubbing and the other for buffing.

What type of wet vac do you recommend?

Cheers

doug

[Jamie Pearson]

Minimum spec for vac would be twin motor 60 litre in my opinion.

Obviously a larger machine is easier to move around the home when full of water and running a triple vac will let you run longer hose so you can keep it outside the room.

Kev does a nice one.

I have the older versions of the same machine that are a good 10+ years old now.

[Mark@Able Stonecare]

I got a rocky and wet vac off Kev, brilliant bit of kit paid for itself in no time. I never use the truckmount now, apart from commercial ceramics when needed as I find it saves a bit of time.

Mark

[sherco]

Rotary & wetvac for me..As soon as my wetvac dies im going to get a Geko wetvac that Kevin sells.

[Billy Russell]

How much are the geko wetvac's?

[Kev Martin]

£315+VAT to CIU members.  They are 90 litre, triple multi combination bypass motors, complete with Chrome wands, hose, wet pick up heads, carpet head, & crevice tool. The bodies are high density PVC and virtually indestructible.  In We carry a full set of spare parts for them!  We can also supply the same machine from Soteco in 60, 90 or 110 litres if required.

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Billy Russell]

Cheers Kev