This is a common problem I get asked about which occurs when polished porcelain is delivered with a protective wax!! The only exception this time is Andy is asking before he has fixed the tiles whereas we usually get called when the problem has happened and then it is slightly more tricky to solve. However, if any of you get called out to Polished porcelain exhibiting small spots all over them this post should help you!!!
Kevin
I once again find it necessary to call on your professional knowledge. I am installing 600 x 600 polished porcelain grey tiles in an upstairs bathroom and downstairs shower room. The tiles apparently have a wax protective coating which needs to be removed and I am then looking at sealing them, grouting and then sealing again.
The tiles cover the walls and the floor and will also be within the shower cubicle (HP shower).
Can you recommend products to strip the wax and also a suitable impregnating sealer.
Approximate total area tiles will be 38M2.
Many Thanks
Andy
Andy
Not the easiest question to answer because of the wide variety of different protection waxes used on polished porcelain by various manufacturers from Country to Country. This said what has become evident over the last few years is, the quality of polished finish on porcelain has definitely been allowed to deteriorate during the manufacturing process which in essence means that the protective wax is applied it finds it's way into all the little faults and fissures on the polished surface and has therefore become increasingly difficult to remove because some of these faults are no bigger than pinholes.
The classic mistake then occurs because only part of the wax is removed and then Tilers / Fixers fail to seal prior to grouting and ultimately the grout finds it's way into some of these faults, fissures and pinholes which in turn exacerbates the problem to the point where you have a mixture of wax and or grout in the imperfections instead of sealer. The classic appearance of the tiles after this process is that of a tile with measle type spots all over the face. This is when we usually get called in because it is very difficult to remove when it is at this stage without using the right process. People then wrongly advise all sorts of different brands of cleaners when actually they do not understand the underlying problem and no cleaners will work unless they are applied in the right order.
This said we have found the only 100% method guaranteed to get rid of all wax is as follows:
1. Fix the tiles as normal working clean and making sure there is NO adhesive left on any of the faces.
2. Prior to grouting clean the tiles using Miracle Sealer Stripper which removes all visible wax on surface.
3. Then use Miracle Poultice Part A & B Mixed and apply to tiles and allow to dwell for 30-40 minutes.
4. Keep it wet and agitate with nylon scrub / emulsifying pad
5. Then rinse thoroughly with warm water and dry using wet vacuum extraction or absorbent towel.
5. Once thoroughly dry, Seal with Miracle 511 Impregnator.
6. Grout
7. Seal again when grout is cured.
Hope this helps
Kevin
Kevin Martin
Managing Director
Tiling Logistics Ltd
"The Natural Stone Renovation Suppliers"
Unit 7 | Speedwell Trading Estate | Kings Road | Tyseley | Birmingham | B11 2AT
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