Limestone-uneven & dirty

[Major]

Hi
I am glad to have found this site. I have been a residential installer for 40 years and I am doing a large project that of apartments turned condo. The contractor wants me to work on the limestone in 2 elevator areas and I am unfamiliar with Limestone, so I need some advise/help. The limestone is uneven and there is grease on the limestone from the elevator company working in the area. I would like to know what equipment/tool I should use to level/smooth the edges and what would be best to clean the stone. And if ther is anything I should know about sealing limestone. You advise/help is gratefully appreciated.
Thanks
Major

[Sponsored Links]

[Mike2]

Good morning Major.

I'm going to move this to our Cleaning, Restoration and Sealing section. You'll get better coverage of your question there.

[jvcstone]

Hi Major,

The grease can be lifted (sometimes) with a poultice which is basically a solvent mixed with some sort of absorbent powder applied liberally to the stain and covered over for 24 hrs or so with plastic wrap. (keeps the solvent from evaporating too fast. Lots of different recipes for different types of stains,(best to test anything you use prior to attacking the entire floor) but one of my favorites is acetone, and diatomaceous earth. I personally know that it works on hydraulic fluid, and crankcase drips both on limestone.

The lippage can be address with a sander and some coarse grit paper to do the first cut, and than progressively finer grits up to the desired finish. If it is a polished finish, or high hone (400-600 grit) best to call in a professional restoration guy, as they have thousands of dollars worth of equipment that you probably don't have, and a DIY with no experience in this case could turn out rather badly.

JVC