StoneTech Enhancer Pro vs. bulletproof

[Brian in San Diego]

I bought StoneTech enhancer pro to use on my travertine floor. I sealed it with the enhancer prior to grouting. (Pleased with the results, I might add!) I tested a sample and found it to be water repellent. I have now grouted and wonder if I can use the enhancer to seal the grout or do I have to buy a sealer specifically designed for that purpose. Is bulletproof such a sealer? On a related subject, I tiled my shower with polished through body porcelain and used Sprectralock grout. I didn't think porcelain needed to be sealed, but from reading a couple of threads, it appears it does need to be sealed. Should I use Bulletproof for this application? If not, please offer a recommendation. Thanks!

Brian

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[tileman2000]

Hi Brian,
First of all,you can you the enhancer to seal the entire floor now.It protects the grout.And for the shower,Spectralock doesn't need to be sealed.

[Brian in San Diego]

Mike,

I knew the Spectralock didn't have to be sealed, but over in the advice forum I read a post by one of the pros that porcelain doesn't need to be sealed if it's not polished, but does if has been polished. He said something about the polishing process makes it necessary to seal it. It is also my understanding that once travertine is enhanced, it can be sealed from then on with a regular sealer. If the enhancer pro was used again and again the tile would get darker with each application. Truth or fiction?

Brian

[ImixMudd]

Porcelain does not need to be sealed it is already non-porous...Although sealing it will not hurt it at all and depending on the sealer can give the tile a bit a tack so as to not make it so slippery......

the grout on the other hand is another story....if its not spectralock or TEC XT sealant is a good thing....

As Far as the travertine is concerned... I have always sealed first with a sealer ( 511 impregator or Porous Plus) then grouted and then color enhanced (mirra matte) the whole job last, that way the enhancer can be applied as need by the homeowner to brighten color and reseal floor

[doitright]

Hi Brian :)

I would not use a water base sealer or enhancer over a solvent based one. In your case I suggest going over the grout with Stone Techs Impregnator Pro. You can also use this over your porcelain tile.

[Brian in San Diego]

Thank you, John. I didn't even consider that Bulletproof was water based. I see many good comments about Miracle's 511 impregnating sealer. I saw that product and Miracle super seal at HD. Is it best to stick with one manufacturer? Or is one high quality solvent based impregnating sealer just as good as the next? I' m not sure that Miracle is solvent based, but since it listed the VOC on the label, I'm assuming it is.

Brian

[Trask]

I would stick with one Manf. Brian. Miracle has both solvent and water based but the company pushes solvent.

I sure enough would not put an enhancer over porcelian as John mentioned...although Stone tech's enhancer pro is more forgiving...most enhancers will gum up on the surface of a non-porus material.

[Brian in San Diego]

Hey, Trask.

Here's where I'm having the problem. I bought and installed polished porcelain in my shower. I used Spectralock grout...all over kerdi. I thought I was golden...porcelain, epoxy grout, kerdi...no sealing...ever. Then I read on a post in the advice column that if porcelain has been polished, it needs to be sealed because the polishing process does something to the porcelain to make it more porous. I'm ok with that. I'm just not sure what to use. If at all possible, I'd like to buy a product I can use on both the porcelain and the travertine, but if that isn't possible, I'll get one of each. As I stated in the first post, the travertine has been enhanced with ST Enhancer Pro.

Brian

[doitright]

Hi Brian :)

As I previously mentioned, Impregnator Pro will work in both situations.

[Trask]

That is one bombproof shower. If it was over a mortar bed w/ kerdi ect. it could be called a "fallout shelter".

[Brian in San Diego]

Thanks, John. I'm going to get some Impregnator Pro.

Brian

[Davy]

I also try to stick to one sealer. Keep in mind that if you use the 511 porus plus (natural look) first, it will likely seal off the enhancer from enhancing. If you want it enhanced, use the enhancer for all the coats. :)

[Brian in San Diego]

Davy,

Now you have me a little confused. I was confused at first, then thought I got it, but maybe I don't. I was under the impression that once I got the color I wanted with the enhancer, then I should seal it with another "sealer" type product, rather than an enhancer. I thought I read the more you enhance a stone, the darker it gets.

5:54 am Saturday...did a search for a test Shaughnn did over in the Pro Hangout. He made the statement that when using ST Enhancer Pro, once color was achieved then Bulletproof should be used. I will follow the advice of using Impregnator Pro because like Enhancer Pro it's a solvent based sealer.

Brian