Stripping and Resealing Saltillo

[FBILL]

Looking for a sanity check here. I have a house in the Chicago area that has a room that Saltillo tile was installed in about 25 years ago. I have spent 6 days stripping about 350 square feet with Kleen Strip MEK stripper. Don't ever want to do that again. I would assume because of the age that it was sealed with a solvent based product. It had a gloss finish on it that was not in very good shape.

After stripping, I nuetralized the stripper with oderless mineral spirits then I washed the floor 3 times with clean water and scrubbed the tiles and the grout with a brush each time to make sure I got all the residue off.

DO I need to do anything else before sealing?

I want a gloss finish. Is that attainable with a sealer or do I top coat with something else?

What type of sealer would be best for this? If it was previously sealed with a solvent sealer should a solvent sealer be used again?

Bill

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[doitright]

Hi Bill, Welcome! :)

First do a search on Saltillio tile to get a better idea of what's available.

Here in the Chicago area, during the time frame that you speak of, most of the Saltillio tile was imported with a epoxy finish. That would a account for your difficulty in removal.

Sealers are not topical, and won't give a gloss apperance. There are some great products available, but do the search first, and get back with us if you have any questions.

[FBILL]

Thanks for the comment John. I guess I didn't mention that I have read all the posts on Saltillo tile and I am still not clear on how to go about it. I have 3 or 4 pieces of tile that were left over from the installation. They are definitely unfinished.

Anyone?

[Davestone]

Bill, i would use a saltillo specific sealer,like Catalina Pavers, or Aldon,they will have a variety of them, like satin,high gloss, and such.I would also use a solvent based, it will give a better shine, but it isn't necessary to use one.I ,like to apply these sealers with a camel back sponge, or sponge mop...a roller leaves marks.I apply one coat and let it harden,this will keep the tile from constantly soaking up the sealer,as you apply the other coats, it'll take probably 3 to get a good finish, and costing a fortune.

[stoneman57]

My personal experience, I did a saltillo floor earlier this year-don't want to do one again. I prefer using water based finishes as the floor will need restored sometime in it's life. Solvent based are much more expensive and are of a more "permanent " nature, although nothing lasts forever. Eventually it will have to be stripped, and water based is much "easier" to remove. Certainly the stripping agents are more user friendly. :goodluck: