need to re-seal my saltillo tiles

[austinsunshine]

Hi. I have a saltillo tile floor and the finish has dulled in high traffic areas, but is otherwise in good shape. I want to re-seal it. I don't think it's been re-sealed since it was installed about 20 years ago. It's never been waxed. I found a can in the garage of URO-SEAL Formula 4000 for Mexican Saltillo Tiles, with a company name of Catalina Chemical Co. from Tampa. It says its flammable, and to clean tools with mineral spirits, but I don't know exactly what Uro-Seal is, and what to put down over it. Can you help? Thanks.

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[Davestone]

Basically you have a solvent based topical sealer.I don't think they make it anymore, and i wonder about that co. i can never find any info about them, other than their address.I have used their sealers in the past, but it has been years, and i always had good luck with it,but with the new epa regs. and the advent of water based sealers, maybe they got outta the biz. :shrug: I prefer solvent based sealers for saltillo myself,and if it was me i would look for another solvent based saltillo sealer,be advised there are different types,such as matte, low sheen and suchbut yo'll need to clean the tile with a tile and grout cleaner, let it dry, and follow the directios of whatever you buy..........http://www.aldonchem.com/

[austinsunshine]

Thanks for the info. I figured it was a solvent based sealer. Am I understanding you correctly that "a solvent based sealer is a solvent based sealer" and one should be compatible with another? That's great information.

I checked out the local big box diy stores, and one recommended aqua mix, telling me that it didn't matter what kind of sealer was already on the floor. I didn't trust that.

I think I'll check out some of the little independent tile dealers here in Austin and see what I can find.

By the way, ThomasNet lists Catalina, but that's the only reference to them that I could find on the web. Their profile includes the same phone that's on my can - 1-813-876-5914. (Also says they employ 10-49 people.) I didn't get a chance to call that number until after 5 today, so no answer and no voicemail. I'm going to try again tomorrow.

[Davestone]

Generally you don't have any trouble when you go with the same type sealer,solvent to solvent, and water to water,(usually).I wouldn't use the Aquamix unless it specifically states it can be used over a solvent based sealer, which i don't think it can,water based types need to soak in.

[teeitup]

There will always be a controversy regarding solvent vs. water base. Be that as it may you need to test an area that has both a dull and shiny area. My concern is that if you simply apply more sealer over everything you may find that the dull area gets more shine, but the shiny area also gets more shine and you will have a floor that is generally more shiny, yet still see the relative difference between the shiny and dull areas. Test for that situation. If the variance evens out then you can go ahead and recoat, but you will still have the issue of the new sealer bonding to the old.

If it was my customer I would strip everything, period. At that point you would see a floor that was far cleaner and have no issue about one sealer sticking to the other. Those that know me here, know that for 25 years I have recommended and used a high quality water based sealer like Aqua Mix after the complete strip. By the way I have absolutely no connection with Aqua Mix, I have just used it successfully for the 25 years I have been in business. I can be reached for free advice at 949 8585211

Good Luck

Mike
Seal Systems

[Hector Macias]

I you seal with a water based sealer any areas that are unsealed will always be a different color(lighter). Oil based sealers give much darker tones than the water based sealers. Over 99% of our customers prefer the look and resiliency of the oil based sealer.