Hello to you experts out there on Victorian Tile restoration

[Phil Robinson]

Hey guys, Just joined the forum today and looking for some advice please. I am an avid DIY'er but have moved into an old 1905 house that has some geometric white and black tiles in the outside porch and the internal porch.

I have tried cleaning them with Lithofin tile Restorer, the area to be treated is only small 2m[SUP]2[/SUP] so thought I would do it myself. The lithofin has got a lot of the dirt off but the white tiles are still discoloured with dirt and slight pocketing.

I followed the instructions of putting the lithofin on agitated with a nail brush and left it for 15-20 mins and did not let it dry. But really keen to get the rest of this dirt out if I can.

Just wondering if there are any other products that I can use and also once they are cleaned what is best product then to seal and polish them with to get a nice luster/shine back on them.

Thanks for your help guys.

Regards

Phil

 

[hillhead]

Hi Phil, there is some geometric experts on here.They will respond when they get a chance. Tenchman, Phil Hobson, tommyzoom and enduro is the polishing pro.It sounds to me like a deep grind and polish is required but be patient there for now.

 

[Gazzer]

Hi Phil, there is some geometric experts on here.They will respond when they get a chance. Tenchman, Phil Hobson, tommyzoom and enduro is the polishing pro.It sounds to me like a deep grind and polish is required but be patient there for now.

Ahem...and Timeless John

 

[Phil Robinson]

Hi Guys and thanks for the quick response. Cheers Phil

 

[Phil Robinson]

Also just wondering for future reference when talking about the tiles what type of tiles would these be are they ceramic tiles with them being all one colour. Thanks for your help guys.

 

[steve187]

Hi Phil and welcome to the forum, someone will be along soon

 

[Time's Ran Out]

:welcome: Phil - the tiles you asked about in your 2nd post are Encaustic - a mix of coloured cement poured into moulds. Extreme care should be taken using the following products anywhere near the darker colours of this material.
The porch tiles MAY come up better if you use a 15 per cent acid cleaner (patio/brick cleaner) washing with clean water. Or you could try Nitromorse (water soluble). With both these suggestions please test a discreet tile first and wear gloves and goggles.
Note : this advice is given in good faith and no responsibility for damage will be accepted.

 

[Phil Robinson]

Thanks John thats great would you seal them after I have cleaned them and if so what is best please. Thanks Phil

 

[Phil Robinson]

Also you say take care near the darker colours so the tiles are only black and white so I should keep the acid completely away from these tiles is that correct. Thanks Phil

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Also you say take care near the darker colours so the tiles are only black and white so I should keep the acid completely away from these tiles is that correct. Thanks Phil

The porosity of these tiles is such that too much cleaning (acid) will bleach the colour. You must test an area first and be ready to wash off immediately, for the area you have you could do a test area with a modelling paintbrush. You are looking for a lint type cloth to soak up the dirt from the pores of the tile.
When clean to your approval, the tiles must be bone dry before any seal is applied, 2/3 days without damp conditions, and Lithofin Stain Stop or impregnater will be ok. But make sure any excess is buffed off after 10/15minutes if lying on the surface.

 

[hillhead]

Trust me to not mention John, lol.
You're in great hands there Phil.
Sorry John, at least Neale caught on.
I was busy tiling 600 square porcelains.

 

[Tony73]

i have used lithofin stain stop for about last 9-10 years, to me it is the best sealer. Do anyone know equaly good sealer?

 

[Phil Robinson]

After you put the stain stop on do also need to use the KF tile polish to give them a sheen or does the stain stop do that any way please.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

You can use a polish (such as HG Golvpolish) for inside to ease maintenance but outside they recommend leaving the tile just sealed as a polish could make them slippery and it would only last a few weeks anyway.
Normal cleaning with soapy water tends to leave a sheen build up.

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome... looks like TJ has sorted you out.... he is one of the best on this subject, only thing i can add is i am not keen on soapy water... detergents shorten the life of the sealer..

Let us know how you get on..

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Now hand that do dishes can be soft as your tiles , with mild new Fairy liquid!

 

[Phil Robinson]

will do guys and thanks for the advice I will take some before and after shots and lets hope its good. Some of the grout or cement between the tiles is really bad and I was reading that I should use a fine cement based grout is that correct and a couple need some adhesive again should i use a fine sand and cement mix for that to please.
I was thinking that once they are clean i should seal them before grouting what do you think? was thinking of using Bal fine cement grout?

 

[Phil Robinson]

Also with the tiles being black and white what colout grout would you go for grey or white? thanks for your help guys.

 

[Phil Robinson]

just off to cook a curry will be back in an hour thanks for the info

 

[Tony73]

grey grout, stain stop better before grouting

 

[tommyzooom]

Hi Phil,
Definately grey grout, and I would seal before grouting, you will find the grout is easier to clean off. It will need a couple of coats after the grout is dry too.
For cleaning, I cant add much more to what has been said, but you could try a steam cleaner, one of my clients swears by it for keeping beige floor grout clean

 

[hutchinsons]

hi there
thought i would give you my input too lol.
you normally find the white tiles are more stubborn to restore.
i think the main reason is perhaps they have been fired at a higher temperature making them less porous.
you can see this after you have stripped and cleaned your floor the other colours tend to dry out while the white ones stay wet for longer.
its just a case of persistence really. i like to us the HG products on the market and have had no trouble at all with the stripping and the sealing and polishing.
hope this helps.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

All good advice above, but you will need to remove about 3mm of the original sand and cement bed very carefully, on the tiles that need re-fixing, making sure you do not loosen adjacent tiles and then use a suitable frost resistant adhesive to re-bed the ones that have de-bonded. Good luck.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Sorry and welcome to TF.

 

[hutchinsons]

or an alternative choice could be to reduce the thickness of the tile itself with an angle grinder. the tiles are thicker than most replacements and i have found this really helpfull

 

[Phil Robinson]

Is pal cement based fine grout good and what adhesives are good please as I only have a really small area. Thanks for all the help guys

 

[Phil Robinson]

Hey guys just wondering what grout and adhesive I should use on the tiles considering its such a small area. Thanks Phil

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

Hi Phil, I would use a two part adhesive, my personal preference is Mapei Keraquick with Latex plus additive, frost resistant. As for grout a Mapei cement grey, (Ultra Colour), don't use coloured grouts as these can stain the tile. Hope this helps.

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome...