Limestone headache

[Fizz_bosh]

Hi guys,
any tips for me?
Ive had to use an orbital sander to remove stains from grout on honed limestone. Now the stones are no longer stained, but have lost the honed finish & are a bit dull... How can I polishe them up again?

I had a nightmare with the tiler telling me it was a myth about sealing limestone before grouting & even when I offered to seal them myself, he said there was no need!! So I trusted him. Big mistake. He was going to sort the stains, but instead we came to an arrangement with the payment & I took on the stained tiles.


Any tips are really appreciated...

 

[nybor62]

i think your tiler should be paying for the cost of re=polishing your limestone he gave poor advice which resulted in the problem

 

[Perry]

Use a finer paper

 

[Tony73]

big mistake. you must seal limestone before grouting. honed limestone usualy done with grade 220 or 400 polishing pad

 

[Fizz_bosh]

Thanks. I've been using a 220 & then a 500 grit sanding disc on orbital sander. Is there a difference between sanding dics & polishing discs?
Ive seen these diamond sanding discs (v.expensive) would one of them be the best thing to use. Where I have sanded, the stones feel smooth, but in certain light they look dull & uneven.
thanks for any advice

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

I would not be using sand paper. Get yourself a product called Aqua-Seal Hone 500grit a descent rotary and wet vac. The diamond discs you are talking about are expensive for a reason how much sand paper you been through.

 

[Tony73]

Polishing & Finishing Tile Tools i use them discs. for honed limestone 400 should be ok. do you run with the polisher over the whole tile or only where the stain is?

 

[Fizz_bosh]

Thanks.
marble tony.. Quick question. Can I hire a rotory & wet vac? Also 75% of the tiles are on the wall. How to I go about sorting those tiles?

& tony73, if I get a diamond disc, can I just use it on my orbital dry sander with Velcro?

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

Yes you will be able to hire one from HSS or if you have similar in your area. Walls I would suggest you do by hand with a white emulsifying pad and a spray bottle. (hard work). you will have to do the whole floor and all the walls though to get a uniform finish. And if you want more of sheen then I would suggest a polishing cream.

I would not use a orbital sander! put it away until you need it for what it is designed for.

 

[Tony73]

i use one of those

 

[Tony73]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Variable-Po...ZCN2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1333573392&sr=8-6

one of those

 

[MARBLE_TONY]

Variable Speed Polisher/Sander, Flex L1503VR 5" 230V: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

one of those

There fine but I think he is on about something like this

Draper 76220 135-Watt 230-Volt 1/3-Sheet Orbital Sander: Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

or this

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bosch-Watt-...ef=sr_1_4?s=diy&ie=UTF8&qid=1333575741&sr=1-4