Help! with cleaning victorian tiles

[VicTile]

Hi all,

I recently had the victorian tiles in my hallway cleaned up and restored. The man repaired some of the tiles, then stripped and cleaned them all. then finally sealed them with LTP Colour Enhancer and stain block. His opinion was that the Golv polish (thinks that how you say it) can sometimes leave streaks or something like that, either way we went with the LTP breathable sealer.

Anyway, I was advised to use HG Superfloor when mopping it for maintenance, however, i looked this product up and it seems to be reccomended for floors where Golv polish has been used.

I telephoned LTP and they advised not to use HG Superfloor - I think they said something about this further sealing the floor. Instead they advised me to use LTP Waxwash, which seems to make sense.

Lastly I phoned HG and asked them for advice and they seemed to agree about not using thier Superfloor product, but also advised not to use LTP WaxWash with the reason being that the floor would become slippy. He said his advice would be to use HG remover, a deep cleaner. he said this would not strip away the LTP Colour enhancer that was put down.

Now Im confused, not sure about using HG remover - thought this was the type of product you use to intially strip and clean the floors - I want something for maintenance (though HG have said this can be used). Or should I use the LTP waxwash or will this make my floors slippy? Or....should I simply use a detergent like flash or just hot water? Any advice really appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[enduro]

I would use Aqua mix concentrated stone & tile cleaner, this is a neutral pH cleaner that i recommend to any all my customers after i have cleaned their stone floors for everyday cleaning. Dont use flash.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Victile - When I finish a timeless floor it would normally receive 2 coats of HG Golvpolish Satin.
Maintenance after that would be normal washing with warm water and a bit of HG Superfloor shine cleaner.
At regular intervals when it gets dull, after washing and drying -min24 hrs - I would give it another 2 coats of Golvpolish. *2 coats as you change direction to eliminate streaks.
HG remover is only for restoring the tile surface and is not required if yours is clean.
What I would not do is mix two different makes of product as they may react or not compliment each other.
If youv'e started with LTP use their Waxwash to 'shine' the surface.
All protection helps and as far as being slippy with normal wear it will only last for 1/2months and you'll see it dull within that time.
IMO i would not recommend flash as this will strip the floor quicker.


Timeless John.

 

[VicTile]

Victile - When I finish a timeless floor it would normally receive 2 coats of HG Golvpolish Satin.
Maintenance after that would be normal washing with warm water and a bit of HG Superfloor shine cleaner.
At regular intervals when it gets dull, after washing and drying -min24 hrs - I would give it another 2 coats of Golvpolish. *2 coats as you change direction to eliminate streaks.
HG remover is only for restoring the tile surface and is not required if yours is clean.
What I would not do is mix two different makes of product as they may react or not compliment each other.
If youv'e started with LTP use their Waxwash to 'shine' the surface.
All protection helps and as far as being slippy with normal wear it will only last for 1/2months and you'll see it dull within that time.
IMO i would not recommend flash as this will strip the floor quicker.


Timeless John.

Thanks for the advice, cant remember the reason why the HG bloke said it would make my floor silppy, he basically made out that anything i put on it will make the floor slippy. So what do you think of the sealer that was used - the LTP Colour enhancer and Stain block? Im presuming it will have done the job of impregnating and sealing my floor, will it be OK without Golv polish?

 

[Time's Ran Out]

The final coat - waxwash if you wish - will ease the maintenance and stop the floor scuffing.

Timeless John.

 

[DHTiling]

LTP is a good product...and will be fine...

 

[frankenfurter]

Out of all the products mentioned here, LTP colour enhancing sealer is the highest quality. The HG products go hand in hand with their advice; somewhat lacking a little. And unfortunately when you call tech support you'll probably get through to some sales person with limited knowledge of their products, never mind historical floors, so they are never likely to agree between brands.

A notable exception here would be the Aquamix rep and a couple I've met from Lithofin Germany. I say this because we manufacture our own products for these floors and know what ingredients go into them.

Good news is that he put down a better product in the LTP enhancing sealer, although it doesn't shine. All you really need do with it is use a static mop for the dust and if you get muddy footprints spray a little water onto the static mop, that's it really. Or if you want a little more shine you could use the LTP floorshine in your wash water.

Chances are the streaking in Golvpolish is down to him not being apply the product properly; trying to do it in too few coats or poor technique; it's a DIY quality product that's designed to be easy to apply; gives a little bit of shine with some average colour enhancement.

When you say he repaired a few of the tiles, did cut out and replace or actually repair the tiles themselves? Just interested.

All my best,

Frank

 

[VicTile]

You mention LTP Floorshine, well I looked up this product and its says after a few months if there is a crylic build up you need to strip it again or something. I dont know what "acrylic build up" is, but I simply want a product which will now just maintain the tiles when I mop them.

LTP suggested waxwash - what do you think to that product. As mentioned, my tiles were sealed with LTP colour enhancer.

Thanks.

 

[Terry Cottar]

any topical product you add to the floor will require reapplying at some time in the future

tel

 

[Gazzatile]

HG do a product called Glov polish this may be what you are looking for

 

[VicTile]

Out of all the products mentioned here, LTP colour enhancing sealer is the highest quality. The HG products go hand in hand with their advice; somewhat lacking a little. And unfortunately when you call tech support you'll probably get through to some sales person with limited knowledge of their products, never mind historical floors, so they are never likely to agree between brands.

A notable exception here would be the Aquamix rep and a couple I've met from Lithofin Germany. I say this because we manufacture our own products for these floors and know what ingredients go into them.

Good news is that he put down a better product in the LTP enhancing sealer, although it doesn't shine. All you really need do with it is use a static mop for the dust and if you get muddy footprints spray a little water onto the static mop, that's it really. Or if you want a little more shine you could use the LTP floorshine in your wash water.

Chances are the streaking in Golvpolish is down to him not being apply the product properly; trying to do it in too few coats or poor technique; it's a DIY quality product that's designed to be easy to apply; gives a little bit of shine with some average colour enhancement.

When you say he repaired a few of the tiles, did cut out and replace or actually repair the tiles themselves? Just interested.

All my best,

Frank

Hi all, Im still in a bit of confusion about what to use on my floor. As mentioned, my tiler sealed the tiles with LTP colour enhancer, and suggested using HG superfloor to maintain the floor. However, this is advertised as for using on top of GOLV polish. When I phoned LTP they reccomended using their waxwash, and said something about the HG superfloor further sealing the floor and not to use it. HG on the otherhand said not to use waxwash as it will make my floor slippy and advised me to use HG remover, which I think is probably rubbish as the floor has already been deep cleaned and sealed with LTP colour enhancer, all I want to do is maintain the damn thing.

Someone on here mentioned HG floorshine, which sounded good as I would like the tiles to have a bit of sheen, but the instructions I read on the net mention "acrylic build-up" and that I would have to strip the floor again eventually. i dont want to have to do anything to the floor for a long time other than mop it! What is acrylic build up?

So can i use Superfloor on top of LTP colour enhancer, even though GOLV polish has not been used?

Or should I use waxwash?

Will either of these products make my tiles shine a little (which is what I would like)?

Or should I go with the HG floorshine, which may mean I have to strip the floors again at some point - though no idea what acrylic build up.

Help appreciated!

 

[DHTiling]

It is an LTP sealer, so use the LTP washwax....and it doesn't make the floor slippy...

 

[Floor_Restorer]

Hello!

I thought I would add to this interesting thread!

This is the trouble I have nearly every day with what I do, which is purely Floor restoration. What do you use to keep a floor clean with after it has been treated.

I use a number of manufacturers sealants, depending on the floor type and finish that is required.

The basic rule of thumb is to use the correct maintenance cleaner for the sealant used. Do not ever use Flash / DAZ / Bleach / Cif / Cilit Bang on any surface that has been treated with any sealant. It will strip it back, and in some cases make it worse.

With LTP products, any impregnating sealant such as Mattstone or Colour Intensifier or Stone Oil, you can use Waxwash. It doesn't leave any waxy residue as it basically neutral soap (neutral pH - important) and a little sealant in it for long term help for the floor.

I have seen excellent results from people using Lux soap flakes! As long as the cleaner is neutral in pH. Pure soap has the same cleaning power as bleach, but is not as damaging to stone flooring or floors treated with a sealant.

For surface sealants such as LTP Ironwax satin or gloss use Floorshine to maintain it.

I have had a lot of trouble with HG products in the past, and prefer not to use them. Yes you can pop into Travis P to get a litre, but the quality I find is not very good in my opinion.

To Summarise ---- Use LTP Waxwash!!!

Hope this helps?

 

[VicTile]

Hello!

I thought I would add to this interesting thread!

This is the trouble I have nearly every day with what I do, which is purely Floor restoration. What do you use to keep a floor clean with after it has been treated.

I use a number of manufacturers sealants, depending on the floor type and finish that is required.

The basic rule of thumb is to use the correct maintenance cleaner for the sealant used. Do not ever use Flash / DAZ / Bleach / Cif / Cilit Bang on any surface that has been treated with any sealant. It will strip it back, and in some cases make it worse.

With LTP products, any impregnating sealant such as Mattstone or Colour Intensifier or Stone Oil, you can use Waxwash. It doesn't leave any waxy residue as it basically neutral soap (neutral pH - important) and a little sealant in it for long term help for the floor.

I have seen excellent results from people using Lux soap flakes! As long as the cleaner is neutral in pH. Pure soap has the same cleaning power as bleach, but is not as damaging to stone flooring or floors treated with a sealant.

For surface sealants such as LTP Ironwax satin or gloss use Floorshine to maintain it.

I have had a lot of trouble with HG products in the past, and prefer not to use them. Yes you can pop into Travis P to get a litre, but the quality I find is not very good in my opinion.

To Summarise ---- Use LTP Waxwash!!!

Hope this helps?

Thanks for the advice, however, I bought the HG Super Floor shine this weekend and used that. Will I be ok to continue using it - obviously it suggests using it on top of golv polish, but it does also say use it for glazed and unglazed tiles. I opted for that because I hoped it would give the victorian tiles a little shine - they are quite mat since they have been cleaned. The product does seem to have given them more shine. Should I continue with it or swap to waxwash? And will waswash give them a sheen?

Cheers

 

[Floor_Restorer]

What the HG Super Floor shine is doing, is putting a thin coat of surface sealant on top of the LTP Intensifier. As long as the Intensifier has cured, it shouldn't be a problem from no on. The average cure time for Intensifier is around 5-7 days.

The HG Super Floor shine will add surface sealant to the floor over time, and will need to be stripped back periodically, as it will produce build up around the edges where it doesn't get foot traffic and wear.

Waxwash will not give a higher sheen. LTP Floorshine is the equivilient of HG Super Shine, but in my opinion a stronger product, and can be used neat.

To Summarise ---- Use the HG Super Shine if you want, but remember it may need stripping back periodically when build up is visible.

Thanks.