Re-sealing stone with different product.

[trustiling]

Done this slate herringbone floor about a year ago and the client would like it re-sealed.

Was originally done in Lithofin stainstop but now the client is asking for a more permanently polished look such as slate seal or impregnator.

What is the best method of removal and re-application?

Also recently laid these antique limestone flagstones and sealed with stainstop again but now I feel I'd like them to appear as they look when steam mopped, like a more in depth richer tone.....

As above what procedure for removal and what product to obtain darker appearance?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lithofin BOB]

if the slate requires just a top up of the stain stop, de grease with a light cleaner - poss lithofin power clean dilute 1-10 and test, leave to dry fully. this can then be topped up with the stain stop again.
if you want a more polished finish, i would test cobble wax after the st stop , check for colour and suitability . this will give a deeper colour and a rich shine to the surface- slate seal is to thick for this soft honed finish of stone and could cause problems with scratching and may not key correctly. other than that the client could use care sheen occasionally and bring the sheen up slowly as part of the maintenance.

The other floor , flag- this again clean back with either power clean or wexa - leave to fully dry ( this would be a few days for me) test using colour enhancer (1-2 coats) and then a coat of MN.
if you want a sheen finish on this stone -test lithofin multi-seal on top of these and this will give you a satin finish (also darken the stone slightly)- this will also be easier to maintain. ensure clients are aware that they will have to top up these finishes if they want them and maintain with the correct products .

For ref; if you wish to strip out (say to apply slate seal)- test wax off

no recommendation for steam cleaning with topical finishes;

 

[Just Rizzle]

steam cleaners are a menace to the seals on the stone advise all my customers not to use them as can damage the protactive sealents

 

[trustiling]

Cheers Bob, I'll have a look at what you mentioned and test some out.

The flagstones are my own house and my wife will insist on steaming clean regardless, even it it means endless re-applying! We have a dog and the mud constantly gets dragged through as the front and back door both open into the living room of our cottage.

 

[White Room]

Do like the slate herringbone

 

[Dave]

I personally think topical sealers are hard work maintenance wise but each to their own.

impregnating sealers will offer more longevity and that Bastille limestone IMHO looks better oh natural !!..

 

[trustiling]

I'll pop up a photo of it wet and how much richer it looks.
I would like it to look this way so that the dirt isn't so obvious as it is when light and pastile shades if that makes sense?

600 square machine cut on site down to 200, 80m floor with wet UFH concrete screed and no ditra specd by main builder.
Still looked as sweet as the day it was laid apart from the grout (BAL super flex grey) around the kitchen area has discoloured quite a bit and this was sealed

 

[Dave]

I'll pop up a photo of it wet and how much richer it looks.
I would like it to look this way so that the dirt isn't so obvious as it is when light and pastile shades if that makes sense?

600 square machine cut on site down to 200, 80m floor with wet UFH concrete screed and no ditra specd by main builder.
Still looked as sweet as the day it was laid apart from the grout (BAL super flex grey) around the kitchen area has discoloured quite a bit and this was sealed

Use a impregnating colour enhancing sealer instead.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

I'll pop up a photo of it wet and how much richer it looks.
I would like it to look this way so that the dirt isn't so obvious as it is when light and pastile shades if that makes sense?

600 square machine cut on site down to 200, 80m floor with wet UFH concrete screed and no ditra specd by main builder.
Still looked as sweet as the day it was laid apart from the grout (BAL super flex grey) around the kitchen area has discoloured quite a bit and this was sealed

As David Suggest ,an impregnating col enh, ensure full water and oil repelant if in kitchen, prob best as with the dog , then you guys can scrub back when you want without disturbing a topical.

Your slate client , prob just needs to use a slightly deeper mild alkaline cleaner ( diluted power clean) occasionally across floor and in the grout joints ,if sealed this should lift contaminants quite easily .

 

[trustiling]

if the slate requires just a top up of the stain stop, de grease with a light cleaner - poss lithofin power clean dilute 1-10 and test, leave to dry fully. this can then be topped up with the stain stop again.
if you want a more polished finish, i would test cobble wax after the st stop , check for colour and suitability . this will give a deeper colour and a rich shine to the surface- slate seal is to thick for this soft honed finish of stone and could cause problems with scratching and may not key correctly. other than that the client could use care sheen occasionally and bring the sheen up slowly as part of the maintenance.

The other floor , flag- this again clean back with either power clean or wexa - leave to fully dry ( this would be a few days for me) test using colour enhancer (1-2 coats) and then a coat of MN.
if you want a sheen finish on this stone -test lithofin multi-seal on top of these and this will give you a satin finish (also darken the stone slightly)- this will also be easier to maintain. ensure clients are aware that they will have to top up these finishes if they want them and maintain with the correct products .

For ref; if you wish to strip out (say to apply slate seal)- test wax off

no recommendation for steam cleaning with topical finishes;

Going to get products today for the Flagstone

So if I use the colour enhancer impregnator you are saying that I need to finish this with a coat of MN Stain stop afterwards?

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Hi, our colour enhancer is a water repellent only , if in kitchen you want water and oil - so you can apply a coat of MN a day after the enhancer- or we have stain stop plus which is both in one application.