Grout marks, chalky surface

[BARONARMY]

Hi Guys

I have recently done some tilling in my bathroom, im pleased with the results but after grouting the mosaics there has been a chalky residue left on them (See Photo's) I installed the tiles, applied 2 coats of sealer then grouted. I have used a B&Q heavy duty tile cleaner that is suitable for these tiles, it has made an improvment but much. The tiles look great when wet, but hazy when dry.

Please could you advise on a cleaner ?
Do they need to be polished (I would like them to a have a little shine to them) could you advise on a make/type ?
Could you advise on a good sealer as these tiles will have some exposure to splashing water etc..

The photo's dont really bring out the chalky residue to well, but you can see under the bowl where i havent been scrubbing like a mad man! I also have a whole wall of this stuff that i havent grouted yet and i dont really want to be scrubbing all of that!!

Many thanks in advance

Gavin

 

[enduro]

You can get some Diamond hand pads on Ebay this would sort the problem out. Use them in the right order. Those tiles you are meant to grout these before sealing so the grout gets into the holes. Sealing first stops the grout sticking in the little holes so in time it may come out.

 

[Stonehouse]

Hi Gavin,

We have had similar enquiries from other clients of ours in the past.
LTP Power Stripper has worked for us, it is not acid based like some grout removers so it will not harm the travertine. Use it diluted first and see if it helps. Keep away from acid cleaners as you will damage the surface of the stone. Seal it with LTP Mattstone Sealer after the tiles have dried out for a long lasting seal or you can use Lithofin Stainstop as an alternative.

Good luck

 

[BARONARMY]

Thanks For the feedback guys, I will try the LTP Power cleaner.

Do you know if LTP Mattstone or Lithfin Staintop sealers will give a gloss shine to the tiles ? Having seen them wet, i quiet like them with the shine to them.

Many thanks

 

[Gazzer]

No Mattstone is a natural finish.

 

[BARONARMY]

How do i go about getting a shiny finish ?

cheers

 

[Gazzer]

Did you say what the tile was made of ?
I would do a search here
LTP Online

 

[BARONARMY]

Its a travertine mosaic tile, i really like the wet look, is there any way of keeping that look with a polish/wax or... ?

This is the cleaner that i have used from B&Q, anybody got any experiance with it ? whats your thoughts??

 

[BARONARMY]

And one other question guys, can you recommend a sealer for granite floor tiles ?

 

[PHG Dave]

How do i go about getting a shiny finish ?

cheers

try LTP Ironwax Gloss - it is an acrylic surface sealer that will give you that shiny finish

 

[PHG Dave]

And one other question guys, can you recommend a sealer for granite floor tiles ?

I am assuming you are talking about polished granite so LTP's MPG sealer is the one - just make sure you follow the instructions with regards to buffing it off in the right time

 

[Topshop]

If you want to seal granite floor tiles you should use a penetrating sealer and not a topical. A topical will leave the natural stone looking fake and not allow moisture to escape the stone causing it to spall. I like to use a sealer like stonetech bulletproofer because it leaves all stones looking natural, doesn't stink because it is water based, and is a good all purpose sealer for most natural stones.

If you want to polish the travertine mosaic you will need some diamond pads or diamond grit brushes to bring the surface up to a 200 or 400 finish then use a white 3m pad or a tampico brush and some 5x polish to do it right. Use the brushes if you want to keep the the tumbled look instead of a diamond pad for the level surface. The 5x is oxailic acid mixed with other good stuff that will create a natural shine on the travertine. This is the proper way to polish calcium based stones like marble, travertine, and limestone.

 

[Mathewleo]

I just open the thread. Its good that you find the required answer. Regarding a good sealer i think Dry-Treat impregnating sealers are safe and suitable to seal granite surfaces.