Hello from a non tiler in need of help

[minimax]

Hi,
I'm Minimax from Devon, female, and as the header said, NOT a tiler. I have stumbled
across this forum on my search for sealing products.
I have spend lots of time on google, and phoning many companies, but I am stuck at the moment.

I am engraving slate tiles of various colours and sizes, but I'm using a hand engraver with diamond burr, so
the lines are not very deep.

I am looking for sealers for different purposes.
Indoors, just to protect the work a bit ( had a sample from LTP Ironwax Satin, works well over the engraved lines without changing any colour)

Now I am looking for a similar product which is suitable for outdoos. I have tried LTP Colour Intensifier & Stainblock, it brings out the slate colour nicely, but my engraved lines disappear.

The lines also disappear in the rain, and when the slate dries, they reappear. So I am looking for something to stop
that from happening.
Lithofin was very helpful in a way, but haven't got any samples at all. They advised Stainstop Eco or Stainstop W.
Then I stumbled across Lithofin Splashstop, but I am not sure if I can use it on slate.

I am mainly looking for a product, that stops my line from disappearing in the rain so mainly something that stops/blocks water.
If I try all the products that I have been advised by now, I'll be broke :smilewinkgrin:

Sorry to make this sooo long, but maybe there are some tilers with extensive "slate experience" that can help?

Have read a few other helpful threads here already, Thank You !!!
Minimax

 

[jay]

:welcome: any pics of your work ,sounds like a tropical sealer might work

 

[minimax]

Hi
Haven't got any pictures yet, as some of the work is now with friends who are not local. I haven't been doing this for long, as time is an issue, but it's something I reaaly want to built up. What is a tropical sealer, and any names of products?

 

[minimax]

Not sure if this is working, haven't uploaded a photo into a forum before, this is not finished and it doesn't show well, art deco picture.

 

[doit4u]

You could try boiled linseed oil that's what I was told to use to bring out the colour in my slate hearth. Don't know if it will work for you but it might be worth trying on an offcut.

 

[jay]

Nice work something i haven't seen before . tropical is a sealer that puts a coat on top as well as goes into the slate, bit looking at the pic it might not work the best one to advice you would be Dave or enduro and a few others they will be on later .if you get a chance post some more pics of your work sometime

 

[Gall.B]

Topical sealers :lol:

Hagesan tends to be the brand I favour Impregnating sealer then golvpolish.

A lot of members favour LTP mattstone

 

[jay]

yes topical must be time for bed :8:

 

[minimax]

Tried oil, makes all the lines dark. which is a shame, as you say, the colour comes out beautiful.

 

[Gall.B]

yes topical must be time for bed :8:

Lol, & forgot to say nice Work minimax

 

[Gall.B]

What about colouring the lines?

 

[minimax]

Ha, been googleing for tropical :lol:
Just read up about Hagesan, sounds good. Still not sure if it affects the lines.
LTP are sending me a sample of Matt, only company that seem to have samples.
My theory was to use the colour Intensifier thinly, the to engrave, and the to use the Matt over it.
I've tried several combinations, but nothing good yet.
I am waiting to do 7 signs of Dartmoor Tors and names for a Campsite, but then with all the rain here,
the pictures will only be visible in good weather, i.e. seldom

 

[minimax]

Colouring all the lines is a good idea, but some work is very intricate and I don't think it would work
Ha, sorry, everytime I post there are new replies, I can't keep up, THANKS

 

[Ian]

Welcome along to the forum

 

[DHTiling]

Hello and welcome, you cannot use Topical sealers outside.. there are some brands of patio sealer that will give a gloss look..

LTP Mattstone will be the one i would use and that should not darken the slate and makes the engraving darken hence making it harder to see..

Try on an off cut before sealing a master piece..

 

[DHTiling]

Jay.?... Tropical..:lol: :lol:

 

[minimax]

Thanks, Mattstone is the sample that should arrive soon. Do you think it will react with the LTP Intensifier if I use that prior to the engraving? The darker the slade, the better the lines.
Has anyone got any experience with Lithofin splashstop? I am still wondering if it might keep the water off better?

And thank you everyone for such a nice welcome and the help. I've been ringing so many companies, but who better to ask than the people who actually use their products !!!:iagree:

 

[DHTiling]

You can use mattstone on top of colour intensifier..

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

:welcome:

 

[paul damian]

welcome along to the forum minimee.

 

[kilty55]

welcome

 

[minimax]

Thank you all for the warm wlelcome.
Has anyone used Lithofin Splashstop before? (on slate?)

 

[jay]

Jay.?... Tropical..:lol: :lol:

was late might need a holiday somewhere tropical cant blame the Cougars

 

[suave]

welcome!

 

[user123]

Hi Minimax, :welcome:

I have dabbled with slate art before, but years and years ago when there were probably less sealer products about. The lines do disappear outside, I really don't think any sealer will stop that, as any that last ouside will have an oil or resin action of sorts.

What you do is beautiful there, I can see the potential and am wondering if you are not making life needlessly difficult by not looking at colouring. Some of the guys here are experienced with grout pens, may that would work? just a thought, a felt tip point kind of action is really what you need, isn't it..