New quarry tile become cloudy white after drying

[avorinc]

My cleint has asked that we clean a new installed quarry tile floor. The surface appears white, cloudy and in some places as if someone stepped in residual cement and walked all over.

We have used a floor stripping machine with different grades ofpads, a floor scrubber.
General cleaners, acid wash and everytime the floor looks great when it is wet. But as soon as it dries the cloudiness reappears.

 

[Gazzer]

Any photos of the floor and what cleaners have you tried ?

 

[avorinc]

I WILL UPLOAD PHOTOS FROM THE OFFICE TOMORROW ALONG WITH A LIST OF WHAT WE HAVE USED.
EVERYTHING FROM A PRODUCT CALLED SIMPLE GREEN, TO ZEP PRODUCTS CALLED "PURPLE, a-1, ANOTHER PRODUCT CALLED NANO SCRUB, AND AN ACID CALLED POLITHONIC? I WILL GIVE MORE EXACT INFO TOMORROW.
I AM TOLD IT COULD BE EFFLORESENCE.
A STRANGE THING HAPPENED.
WE CLEANED A ROOM THAT IS INTENDED FOR COLD STORAGE BUT THE HEATER WAS RUNNING QUITE ACCIDENTLY. THE TEMP WAS 88 FAHRENHEIT, MOIST HEAT. AFTER AN HOUR THIS FLOOR DID NOT APPEAR WHITE AGAIN. ALL THE OTHER FLOORING EXPOSED TO OUTSIDE TEMP 70'S F REACTED NEGTIVELY.

 

[avorinc]

We also tried bakingsoda wash, with the same cloudyw white finish upon drying. Someone has now recommended a vinegar and distilled water wash.

 

[Ajax123]

What are thetiles laid on to?

 

[avorinc]

I will give you specifics tomorrow. But i truly appreciate your time and effort. Talk tomorrow? (pacific time 9:00am)

 

[jay]

Sounds like they are sealed

 

[Drastik Lee]

i got this from another website hope it helps a little on the matter

This is what we call blush, its trapped moisture and needs to be released. fix only when humidity is low, You must respray with lacquer. Add 10 to 25% retarding thinner to the same thinner you were using and spray the surface with the mixed thinners,and allow to dry. The thinner softens the surface film, and the retarding agents slow the drying time,allowing the trapped moisture to escape. If this don't work, wait for a hot "DRY" day. Remove old finish with 0000-steelwool until the cloudy area is removed, blow out your air-tank (bleeder valve) and all lines, (IMPORTANT: tank & lines must be free from moisture). Now you have a dry day, no moisture, recoat with fresh Lacquer. Remember dry. Good-Luck! DRY!

 

[jay]

Think you need to go back to basics here

1 what type of tile is it

2 does it need sealing

2 what type of sealer is on the tiles

most quarry tiles do not require sealing and why use a tile in a cool store that needs sealing (its always going to be problems) my opinion other will have different views good luck