sealing fireslate

[TheMrFreeze]

Hi all.

I'm in the process of remodeling my kitchen, and have started on the countertops. I received some old laboratory countertops that I thought were soapstone, but after spending a day cutting them to size, it appears that they're in fact fireslate (which is just concrete and a few additives formed under pressure).

I've cut and sanded them as needed and set them on the base cabinets, but I now need to seal them. This is the first time I've dealt with any "stone" material that wasn't glazed ceramic tile, so I could use a little help. :D

These countertops surround an undermount sink and are the only countertops in the kitchen where food preparation will take place (but I never put raw food on countertops...always use cutting boards). As such, sealing them from staining/etching is of paramount importance. I'd also like to get a nice sheen on them...maybe something in the semi-gloss range. Also wouldn't be adverse to darking them up a bit...they're currenly a dark grey.

After doing some research, it would seem that a waterbased fluoropolymer penetrating finish offers the best protection, but provides no sheen. So, I'm wondering if I could use the penetrating finish first, then a surface finish of some sort for added protection/sheen. Does this sound reasonable?

I'm also open to suggestions for specific products. It seems that the Aqua Mix products are readily available, but the fact that they're sold at home centers (and the fact that some of the products are "only available at Lowes") makes me question their quality. I don't have a problem ordering a better product and waiting a week before sealing. Oh, and if the sealer can also be used to seal unsanded grout, that would be great...got lots of that in the kitchen too.

Thanks!

Chris

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[Trask]

Chris,
My dad has the "same"science lab table :lol1: he bought at a garage sale. It has an undermount I think slate sink too. He plans on refinishing it and making a bar out of it.
My company does tons of "casual" stones like soapstone and antiqued or alternatively finished stones. I use enhancers on these finishes alot and have played with most on the market. By far and away the best stuff I've used for the purpose you described is the Enhancer Pro by Stone Tech. It's sold on the site in the store. I'm gonna end up doing the same thing on my dad's top an this is what I'll likely use.
It also can be used to seal the grout. It's tricky stuff to use if you don't follow the directions so be sure and read the whole label. :)

[BlueCanyon]

It's tricky stuff to use if you don't follow the directions so be sure and read the whole label

Trask. Can you give me a few pointers on what's tricky that could get me into trouble? I've read the label and I think I've got it, but would love your expertise so I don't get myself into trouble.
Mary Ann

[lindyk]

I installed Fireslate countertops in my kitchen about 6 years ago. They're stained and worn and etched, etc. A friend who has experience with stone has offered to refinish them, but needs some direction. The Fireslate.com website (which hasn't been updated in at least 8 years) says to use a palm sander. Is it okay if he uses an orbital sander or a grinder with a very fine grit? After they've been sanded, the Fireslate website says to use "Lithofin PSI Sealer." However, I can't seem to find anywhere that sells it, and I think it might not even be made anymore. After the sealing, the website says to apply 3 coats of tung oil, and wait 24 hours between coats. I've done this in the past, and it's a major endeavor, during which the kitchen basically can't be used.

So ... does anyone out there have any actual experience with refinishing Fireslate? What brand or type of sealer should I look for? Is there any new product that I can use instead of the tung oil? And if no one here can help me, can someone make some suggestions as to where else I can research this?

Thanks!

[lindyk]

I'm still desperately trying to learn from others experience with Fireslate. Has anyone used an enhancing sealer on it. I'd love to know what the result was. Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

[zoefriedlander@gmail.com]

Lindyk, I'm curious what you finally did. Our fireslate counters are about 11 years old now. We've refinished a couple of times, I think using Lithofin (maybe) but it's been probably 4 years now and they need to be refinished again and I'm wondering if you found any good solution.

[lindyk]

I realized that I had some leftover Lithofin sealer, so after the counters were sanded down, I used the sealer. I then used multiple coats of tung oil which had something added to darken it (dark raw tung oil, at realmilkpaint.com), hoping that it would help camouflage the various stains that were still visible. It still looked pretty miserable, and had a completely flat finish, so I finally put on a coat of Butcher's Wax, and that made a huge difference. There are still many areas where it's stained and mottled, but it now looks a bit more natural/organic, rather than neglected and messed up, if you know what I mean, and I haven't gotten any new stains. The disadvantage of the wax is that it does show scratches, but I presume that another coat of wax will eliminate that, and putting on a coat of wax isn't nearly as daunting and time consuming as reapplying the tung oil. In fact, I think this has inspired me to tackle that chore today. Good luck!