Need help sealing our granite tile counter top

[Rancho5]

On the counter tops in our new home, I installed granite tiles we got at Home Depot and it looks great. The problem is that we used the sealer they recommended (TileLab SurfaceGard Penetrating Sealer-Green spray bottle. Teflon 20 yr warranty)

It absorbs everthing! And my wife regrets even installing them. We followed the directions on the bottle and even did a 2nd coat and Home Depot said we did it right and it's fine. Augh!

My wife called a friend who had her builder install granite tiles and they used a thick roll-on sealer and she said it is fantastic. Nothing penetrates it!

If I find this sealer, do I need to strip off the teflon spray kind? Any suggestions on what this might be and is it alright to use? What's the best way to clean the tiles before sealing so I don't seal the spots in?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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[Stonehenge]

Duplicate your efforts on a leftover tile, the thick roll-on sealant reference troubles me a little bit. Several acetone swipes across your installation may help to prepare your stone for a new impregnator.

Michael Von Meyer

[Rancho5]

Which impregnator do you recommend that FOR SURE won't let olive oil, etc, soak in? Does such a product exist? And what to use to take out the stains already in there before I seal with the new product?

[doitright]

Hi Rancho :)

We don't know what kind of granite you have, or how deep the stains are. We also don't know if the stains were in the stone before you sealed. Michaels recommendation to wipe with acetone is a good start, but more work may be necessary. I also would question the "roll on" sealer.

There are several premade oil & grease removing poultices available. Our online store has one available by Stone Tech called "Oil Stain Remover".

As far as the sealer, Stone Techs top of the line product is "BulletProof". You would still need to apply and TEST after each coat. Depending on the type of granite you have, several coats may be necessary.

[Rancho5]

The granite tiles are just the basic ones from home depot. 3/8 thick and probably floor tiles. The specialty tile store down the street carried them too, HD was just the cheapest for the same. They were very clean when installed. They were not sealed on the back and I used the wrong mastic so they all soaked up and turned mottled but within 24 hours they were dry (thank heavens).

All the stains are from olive oil and near the cooktop (grease).

So to summarize, so I do it right this time, I need to get some heavy duty oil stain remover. When stains are out, wipe down counters with acetone to remove previous teflon sealer. Then use Bullt Proof sealer, perhaps several coats.

Sound alright?

[doitright]

Hi Rancho :)

Too bad you used mmmmastic. Even using a thinset would have darkened these granite tiles temporarily. Obviously they have a large crystal structure and are very porous.

The methods you prescribe should work. Don't try to rush the poultice process, as you made need to apply several times to completely remove the stains.