advice-correct stonetech products for my home

[elenal]

Hi: I've been reading the various threads on sealing grout (all very helpful, BTW), and I just wanted to check on a few things before ordering Stonetech products and beginning to "care" for my gorgeous new tiles at home.

1) I have a bathroom that has ming green marble tile, 1x1" glass mosaic, and glazed ceramic (porcelin, I think, but I'm not sure) tile. That project was completed 2 years ago, and was sealed by the installer at the time (I don't know what product he used). I was thinking that I should clean and reseal the tile in that bathroom, especially bec. we had some tile in that room regrouted a week ago.

Is the following the correct regimen to follow? Clean off the old sealer by using Stonetech Klenz. Then seal all the tile (marble, glass and ceramic) with Stone Tech Bulletproof. (I don't want to enhance the color BTW). After that is done, what should I use for my normal weekly cleaning of the bathroom--Stonetech Revitalizer, or something else from that product line? Can I really use the same sealer and later the same cleaner for the ceramic, glass and marble (I hope so!).

2) Two other bathrooms recently completed, and never used. One is tiled with more ming green marble) and the other with carrera marble. Do I seal that with the Bulletproof, and then use the Revitalizer for gen'l cleaning?

3) Last question: the new kitchen backsplash is glazed ceramic tile. Do I seal that with Bulletproof also, and clean as in 1 and 2 above? Given how tedious it would be just to "paint" the sealer in the grout lines, is there any problem with letting the sealer get on the tile itself, even though the tile does not need sealing?

Sorry for all the questions. I've been waiting a long time to be able to buy all this incredible tile, and the installer did a fantastic job. I just want to take care of it all perfectly (and he's on vacation for a month, so I can't get advice) and seal it right. And I don't want to screw things up by cleaning with the wrong product. I had some advice from a friend that you had to use different products on stone versus ceramic vs. glass, and that made me paranoid (and hopeful that he is wrong). Thanks for everything you do!

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[doitright]

Hi Elana, Welcome! :)

1. Does the water bead up on any of the surfaces? We can better tell you what procedure to follow after we know this. Not all stone (especially polished marble) needs to be sealed. Is any/all of your natural stone polished?

As far as ongoing cleaning - For semi porous surfaces Revitalizer may be used, and for non porous surfaces (including glass), All Purpose Cleaner can be used (as it doesn't contain any sealer).

2. We need to now if the stone is polished or honed (and same test). Also check if water will darken the surface after left standing for ten minutes. Same maintenance as above.

3. You can use the same sealer as above (once it's determined) on the grout. You'll be able to get it on the tile as long you buff it off before it dries on the surface.

[elenal]

Thanks so much for the response. Sorry I didn't see it until just now--the server at work went down and no web access until now. Re your questions:
1) the water does bead up on all of the various tiles (more on the ming green that was sealed 2 yrs ago, but beads up a bit on the unsealed marble elsewhere, and beads well on the glass tile and the ceramic); 2) when I wet the carrera and the ming green marble it really doesn't change color/darken; 3) the ming green tile is polished, and the carrera is honed. Thanks for the advice you've already given me, and for any further advice on sealant and cleaning products.

[Davestone]

I'm gonna give you this site i think will help you for a ready reference.......http://www.stonetechpro.com/stonecare/idx/10/0/Stone-Care-Essentials.html?dy

[elenal]

Thanks Dave. I did read through several of the articles--and I've bookmarked that link. Just to check before ordering products, can you or another tile expert let me know if I'm ordering correctly in view of the above. 1) For sealing all of my marble (polished and honed), polished granite, and the grout of my ceramic tile--use the Stonetech Bulletproof. For the one bathroom with ming green (polished) marble that was sealed a while back, first clean off the surfaces with Stonetech Klenz, then seal with the Bulletproof. 2) For normal, regular cleaning of the marble and granite, use Stonetech Revitalizer. 3) For normal, regular cleaning of the ceramic and glass tile, use Stonetech All Purpose Cleaner. Thanks in advance for checking my choices--I just don't want to make a mistake.

[Davestone]

Looks good to me. :nod:

[elenal]

Thanks so much, Dave. I really appreciate your advice. I'm ordering in a moment. Next weekend: big sealing blowout at our house!

[doitright]

Hi Elenal :)

Use caution if you're going to seal a polished surface that is not absorbing water. Do not allow the product to dry on the surface. If you follow those two simple instructions, you should be fine.

[elenal]

Thanks for the two tips. Sorry to seem dense, but do I prevent the sealer from drying on the surface of the polished stone by wiping off the excess with a damp cloth (just water?) after a few minutes, or should I do something else?

[doitright]

Hi Elenal :)

No water! :eek: :D

Just buff dry with clean white towel.

[elenal]

Thanks so much. You're a peach!