[Kev Martin]

We often get asked if we can lighten or darken a floor and the best method to go about it.
Experience has taught us that floors cannot be lightened uniformly with acids.  This is because to achieve the process we rely on the acid reacting with the floor to cause the etching however because the make up of the floor is different on various parts of the stone the acid reacts better in some areas than others.
Honing powder is a lot more controllable as we have a section of 6 different grits and using either a brush or pad whichever is appropriate we can achieve a beautiful honed finish that is aesthetically pleasing and leaves a cleat even finish.  Then if the client wanted a lighter surface we simply seal it with a top quality penetrating sealer and if the client wants a darker finish we simply use a premium enhancing sealer and then if necessary close the surface back down again with a finer honing powder once the colour is reached.
Always remember Floor restoration is a science so try to think about it and keep it as simple as possible.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics

[Joebagbanana]

Thanks Kevin for an interesting post.

I was asked last week about darkening a pale olitic limestone. Is there a recommended product or method that will work on such a light stone?

[Kev Martin]

Thanks Kevin for an interesting post.

I was asked last week about darkening a pale olitic limestone. Is there a recommended product or method that will work on such a light stone?

Joe

All you can do is perform a test.  Clearly the best way to darken it is with a Premium Impregnating Enhancing sealer.  That said a test will be required because some lighter stone you cannot enhance at all and others enhance with ease.

The Oolitic Limestone may or may not enhance depending on the the evenness and size of the ooids that make it up and whether or not the stone has been previously sealed and with what?

So my first route would be to do a test with Miracle 511 Seal & Enhance or Aqua mix Enrich N Seal and discuss it with the client.

Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics ltd