Slate sealers/enhancers question...

[vis]

Hi all -

Had a question about sealers and color enhancers. Basically, I am planning on sealing my slate floor prior to grouting. I applied one layer of sealant already (TileLab, I believe). However, I wanted to enhance the color as well after realizing that the TileLab wasn't exactly doing the job. Can I apply an enhancer even though I have already applied one layer of the sealant? Any recommended products for color enhancement that I might be able to find at the local Home Depot or Lowe's?

A little background: the slate I am laying came from Expo. It's basically gray, without any color differentiation. It has become a bit dull, though. I am basically trying to darken the slate up and maybe apply a little sheen to it.

Thanks for your help.

Pete

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[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hi Pete, welcome :wave:
The sealer you've already put down will prevent the enhancer from enhancing. You would havet o strip 100% of the original sealer off for the enhancer to evenly enhance the tile.

I'm going to move this question over to the "Cleaning, Restoration, & Sealing Forum" to get you proper attention to experienced pros who can give you further info. :)

[vis]

thanks. kinda figured i'd be a little SOL. no worry, tile doesn't look that bad.

one other question: any general estimate on how many coats of sealant i need to lay down? i've put three on and i still get some seepage into the tile when doing a water test.

oh, one other thing: can i put a layer of sealant that will leave a "wet" look, even though the sealant I've used is "matte" finish?

thanks again. so new to this and i'm afraid to screw up my floor - hence so many questions.

[doitright]

Hi Pete, Welcome! :)

Nothing that I'm aware of at HD, Lowes, etc.

Prosoco has a product called Gloss n Guard that would do what you want. Sparks also has a topical sealer called Stone Glamor that will also do the trick.

Don't put on any more Tile Lab. Generally, you don't apply an enhancer over a sealer. Since the slate is still darkening (due to the low solids content of the Tile Lab), it should allow an enhancer to work.

As always we recommend to TEST first. :nod:

[maya]

Hi pete,
Im just curious how ur slate tiles turned out... I have the same problem, was thinking of applying a color enhancer, but I'm not so sure if it would do the trick. The slate tiles I bought are from India, color is "california gold" but some tiles look more like a dull grey. fortunately I haven't applied sealer yet so the color enhancers should have better chances of actually working, just not sure if it will actually do the trick... Also, the top layers of my tiles are peeling off, did u also have the same problem? Thanks! :)
-maya, 24 and new at this whole thing :twitch:

[dude here]

I have the same problem as well. I have slate from India which I sealed prior to grouting. However, the slate remains somewhat dull and has a multitude of stains on the surface. I'd like to a) remove the stains (which appear to be water/grease/food stains); and, b) enhance the slate so that it is darker and has a mild sheen too it.

So, my questions are:

1) Can I remove the sealant or can I apply enhancer over top? My understanding is that enhancer won't necessarily work because it's already been sealed. However, it seems that it isn't *completely* sealed, because the slate is still easily stained. I should note that the slate seemed to really suck up the sealant when I originally laid it down. I don't know if sealing it has made that big of a difference.

2) Is there any downside, other than a waste of time and money perhaps, to trying to apply enhancer over the sealer?

3) If I absolutely must to remove the sealant to do the job, are there any product recommendations?

4) My guess is that I need to use a "poultice" on the stains. Are there any recommended procedures for applying a poutice? Will a poultice work even though I've applied sealant in the past?

On a final note, my grout is not quite even in color. Will I be alright using the vinegar/water solution recommended to shannong in another thread? I'm guessing I should a) strip; b) water/vinegar the grout; then, c) enhance.

Thanks for your help, everyone. I just discovered this forum and wish I had done so before starting my project. This is the authoritative place to come for advice on tile.

[dude here]

anyone?

[Steven Hauser]

Hey Dude,

Yep, you can do it the way you laid it out. The trick is to clean it very well first. So wash and dry the installation until the white rag reads clean. Let it dry out thoroughly since the grout and tiles are absorbant, go ahead and move a fan in here to help if you are in a humid area.

Then once clean and dry see what if anything needs to evened out. If you vinegar wash the grout and tile plan to rewash the floor after you achieve the effect you are trying to get. This was an even grout color. From there you will probably want to neutralize the installation because of the vinegar wash. Now I would use a 30% ammonia solution and clean water to do this.

Again wait until real dry.

After all this the installation will look real good. You can either color enhance or use an impregnating sealer.

If you like what we do, then support the site by purchasing from the oniline store.

Stonetech products are a good thing.

:)