Impregnator Sealants Page: 2

[DavidL]

The sealer debate is one that I have had on many occasions and I apologise for the tone of my original posting.

I will simply add that I have re-finished numerous stone floors and not sealed them - and I have had NO instances of callbacks to remove stains. I even have a slab of marble on my kitchen worktop that gets seriously abused by all sorts of foods and liquids and this is not stained either, although it is as dull as dishwater!!

Sealers are expensive, and I believe many are sold to customers by playing on their fears. The majority of floors that I attend to that are in need of 'cleaning' actually need refinishing, that is a diamond hone and repolish.

The industry is in need of more education from knowledgeable sources and not from those with a vested interest in selling specific products. It is a shame that those buying stone in the first instance are usually given very bad advice leading to a bad experience with stone.

 

[GazTech]

Firstly welcome to the forum David,I have taken it upon myself on this forum to impart my 25yrs knowledge in tiling(on a no fee basis) to educate new tilers and the public alike.I have found that people do tend to hang on my every word,and I would be a fool to post when asked that no impregnator sealant is required for polished porcelain,granite and marble.When speaking to manufacturers of these natural tiles,they always endorse sealants and regular maitenance products,to prolong the time where your skills in diamond grinding and honing are required.If there were no sealants available I know it would suit you sir,but its a belt and braces response to the people who view my threads.Perhaps David if you had used an impregnator sealant on your worktops,then maybe now they would't be as dull as dishwater! It's ok for you because you can diamond hone and polish it back up,not everyone had easy access to those type of machines.Note to anyone viewing this thread,if you buy polished porcelain,marble or granite,seek the advice of the manufacturer regarding sealing and maintenance.

 

[faithhealer]

Good thread gentlemen, best (serious )debate for ages!

 

[DavidL]

Gaz

Thanks for the welcome, and I hope our debates are healthy.

David if you had used an impregnator sealant on your worktops,then maybe now they would't be as dull as dishwater!

- on this issue readers of this thread should be aware that the stone is dull due to etching from acidic foods and liquids, and there is not a sealer out there that will prevent this! In fact this raises a very good point in that people often believe that their stone is stained when it is in fact etched - the difference can be seen in that an etch is lighter than the polished stone and a stain is ALWAYS darker.

Note to anyone viewing this thread,if you buy polished porcelain,marble or granite,seek the advice of the manufacturer regarding sealing and maintenance.

Also why not seek the advice of those of us who spend our working lives putting right the problems caused by misinformation, poor installation, incorrect sealing etc......

 

[GazTech]

Also why not seek the advice of those of us who spend our working lives putting right the problems caused by misinformation, poor installation, incorrect sealing etc......

I would love to do your job David,it must be very satifying,taking grubby stone and restoring it,I bet peole are amazed at how bonny it is under all that muck,thanks again for the debate,lets never stop learning