any reason why I can't preseal porcelan tiles before laying?

[doug boardley]

it's not the OP that's laying the tiles John, OP is just trying to speed up the job completion by sealing tiles prior to tiler installing them.

 

[2db]

thanks to all the posts. I've been experimenting tonight with the topps polished porcelain tiles.

I have no intentions of doing the installation myself (I wouldn't trust anyone non-qualified to do my job, so fully intend to leave the tiling to the professionals to do a proper job!) - just trying to make sure SHMBO hasn't chosen a problematic tile that will cause grief from day one.

Have to say, having read all the issues about polished porcelain, I have been pleasantly surprised with the results (based on a few hours experimentation only). Samples of curry paste, chilli, tumeric, red wine, soy sauce, food colourings, shoe polish and grey grouting all seem to have wiped off fine having left the products on the tiles (both sealed and unsealed) for 30 minutes. I have no idea if £25sqm is cheap or not for these types of tiles (I know B&Q are cheaper, and reading this forum, I see why), but I can't complain so far with the experimentation.

It's a different matter though with the QEP wax remover that I purchased from B&Q on the way home. Still a thin film of wax left even after using neat, needing white spirit to finish off the job to get the tiles ready for sealing.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Doug - my advice was to use a white fast set flexible adhesive and light coloured grout - and to test for staining on the edges - if the OP is concerned with staining I was only trying to point out a further pitfall if his tiler decided to use a grey adhesive/grout.

 

[doug boardley]

thanks to all the posts. I've been experimenting tonight with the topps polished porcelain tiles.

I have no intentions of doing the installation myself (I wouldn't trust anyone non-qualified to do my job, so fully intend to leave the tiling to the professionals to do a proper job!) - just trying to make sure SHMBO hasn't chosen a problematic tile that will cause grief from day one.

Have to say, having read all the issues about polished porcelain, I have been pleasantly surprised with the results (based on a few hours experimentation only). Samples of curry paste, chilli, tumeric, red wine, soy sauce, food colourings, shoe polish and grey grouting all seem to have wiped off fine having left the products on the tiles (both sealed and unsealed) for 30 minutes. I have no idea if £25sqm is cheap or not for these types of tiles (I know B&Q are cheaper, and reading this forum, I see why), but I can't complain so far with the experimentation.

It's a different matter though with the QEP wax remover that I purchased from B&Q on the way home. Still a thin film of wax left even after using neat, needing white spirit to finish off the job to get the tiles ready for sealing.

If you have a Tile Giant store near you, try LTP Grimex.