[Timothy]

Got a Teracotta floor to do. Custy thinks it put down about 15   tears ago. It looks like it may not be sealed.
I've explained that the finish will change the color to more of a wet look but was thinkin of using enrich n seal to minimize this.

question..

what do i clean it with If use rotary machine with brush?
Im i best using cc machine to remove the dirty water?
what would be the best product to clean it with?

First post so go easy (and I have explained that it's my fist hard floor and she's happy for me to go ahead)  

[Kev Martin]

Tim

Firstly welcome to the forum and thank you for posting your question.

Before I advise you can you tell me if the floor has any contaminants on it such as paint, plaster or concrete?  Or are we just dealing with a dirty floor with sealers and waxes on?

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Timothy]

I've tried to upload a photo but it wont work!! I'll have another go when I get from doing the lady's carpets!

Thanks for reply

[Timothy]

For some reason it still wont let me upload. Keeps saying image could not be saved?
Any how.. Ive been today and explained that the end result is going to be a sealed floor that will look darker maybe around the grout and the tiles will have a finish to them, but she is happy to go ahead..

Im not sure that there is no seal on the tiles.. if they were put dwn late 80's early 90's, im sure they will have had a seal on them?

they look really textured and almost have like black bits in them .. aaaaahhhhh

[Kev Martin]

E mail the photos to tilinglogistics@hotmail.com

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd

[Len Gribble]

Tim

Try http://tinypic.com/

[Kev Martin]

For some reason it still wont let me upload. Keeps saying image could not be saved?
Any how.. Ive been today and explained that the end result is going to be a sealed floor that will look darker maybe around the grout and the tiles will have a finish to them, but she is happy to go ahead..

Im not sure that there is no seal on the tiles.. if they were put dwn late 80's early 90's, im sure they will have had a seal on them?

they look really textured and almost have like black bits in them .. aaaaahhhhh

Tim

I have e mailed you a reply and here is a copy:


Tim

I am not sure what that is!  I suspect it could even be a porcelain tile!  However, no matter the process is the same

1.  Pre Wet the floor
2.  Mix a high alkaline cleaner 3:1 (Such as Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner) and put in the tank of your rotary machine
3.  Attach soft to medium brush to machine
4.  Sprinkle a little honing powder on floor (320 Grit) Aqua Seal Hone 320
5   Work in with combined releases of Alkaline and powder
6.  Vac up solution
7.  Thoroughly rinse with clean water and vac up again.
8.  Allow tiles to thoroughly dry
9   Seal according to customers wishes either with a plain water based penetrating sealer (Such as Aqua Mix Sealers Choice Gold), a enhancing sealer(Such as Aqua Mix Enrich N Seal)  to give it a dark wet look or a topical sealer9Such as Seal & Finish Low Sheen 3 x coats)

Hope this helps

Kevin

Kevin Martin
Marble Life Ltd
Tiling Logistics

http://www.marblelife.co.uk

"The Natural Stone Renovation Specialists"

Unit 4 | Oak Farm | Hampton Lane | Catherine De Barnes | Solihull | B92 0JB
T: +44(0) 121 705 5333
M: +44(0) 7770 598855

[Jim_77]

Kev, your opinion...

If you've got a typical terracotta tile that's quite absorbent but they would like the shiny sort of finish you get from a topical sealer... is there any merit in first applying an impregnator, to cut down the absorbency of the tiles, before going on to apply the topical sealer?

I have tried applying topical sealer straight on to freshly stripped teracotta and it just sucks it up like a dry sponge.  You seem to use loads of product and get nowhere in terms of building up layers on the surface!

[Jamie Pearson]

I have done what you suggest many times Jim.

[Kev Martin]

Kev, your opinion...

If you've got a typical terracotta tile that's quite absorbent but they would like the shiny sort of finish you get from a topical sealer... is there any merit in first applying an impregnator, to cut down the absorbency of the tiles, before going on to apply the topical sealer?

I have tried applying topical sealer straight on to freshly stripped teracotta and it just sucks it up like a dry sponge.  You seem to use loads of product and get nowhere in terms of building up layers on the surface!

Jim
If the client decides they want a shine on the Terracotta then there's nothing wrong with using an impregnating sealer first!  However I  would apply two coats leaving 24 hours between coats. Then apply two coats of Aqua Mix Seal & Finish Low Sheen and then finally 1-2 coats of Aqua Mix Floor Shine & Hardener.  Alternatively you could just use an impregnating sealer then use a topical wax.

Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd