Sealing Vs. Enhancing.... confused!

[danielle f]

Hi, new to the forum so thanks for any help. I have spent several hours researching on this informative forum but have got myself confused.

I have tiled my bathroom walls with 1x1 mosaic tumbled slate on 12x12 mesh. It's made in India tile, if that makes a difference. I started researching here because I was anxious about grouting with the different thickness of all the tiles and discovered I may need to seal. Reading up on sealing some more, I then read I may been an enhancer. Do I need both? None? One and not the other?

If anyone could clarify and untangle me, I'd be very grateful!

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[Brian in San Diego]

Danielle,

Enhancer is used to bring out the color of a natural stone. It seals it as well. IMO it doesn't exactly give it a "wet" look, but it does brighten up the color and brings out the subleties of the stone. I used Stone Tech's Enhancer Pro on my travertine floor as well as some slate I installed on a wall. If you want to subdue or keep the color like it is, then I'd recommend a sealer. Stone Tech's companion would be Impregnator Plus. These are both solvent based products. If you want a water based product, they have that as well, but I like the results of the solvent based a little better. Both are a little pricey, but I believe well worth it. There are others by Miracle that are of the same caliber.

Brian

[cx]

Welcome, Danielle. :)

I'll move you over here to the land of the sealing gurus.

[danielle f]

TYVM. I think I'll put it to a family vote if the main difference is in the look not so much function.

oops, sorry for posting in the wrong section!

[danielle f]

Oh couple more Q's I thought of:

I'm assuming I can seal the time before grouting or should I wait?

2ndly, are these specialized products or can I get them at a Lowes or Home Depot? I've looked online at their websites and cannot find them.

[Davestone]

You can do it before or after,grouting, and yes they have everytbing at HD and Lowes.

[danielle f]

Thanks.

We sealed with an enhancer (v pretty effect) 3 times and then late last night began grouting, after testing with water to see if the tiles were sealed ok.
After grouting, we cleaned,cleaned and cleaned some more until the tiles looked sparkling.
This morning..... ugh! A white haze is everywhere. I keep washing, looks great when the tiles are wet but when dry it keeps coming back. I do believe the tiles are sealed and that the grout hasn't seeped into them but the uneven surface of the slate, with bumps and crevices, created pockets for grout to collect.

I am assuming that the only way around this is to scrape the grout out of all the little crevices? My husband thinks that another layer of enhancer will solve it because when the tiles are wet, you cannot see any white haze. I am loathe try sealing it in case it doesn't work and then we have to strip the sealer to remove the grout. Do we need to scrape every little tile clean or is my husband correct?

[Mr. Mike]

I think thats grout residue. Since you sealed first; I don't think it soaked into the stone-which is good-easier to remove. usually, grout release is used before grouting to prevent this from happening. Don't worry, I know they sell grout residue remover-its usually something acid based.

[danielle f]

Oh I've never heard of grout release. I thought that's what they sealer was for really. At this rate, I think I'm destined never to get my shower functional again! :crap:
Thanks. I guess another trip to Lowes is in order.

[doitright]

Hi Danielle :)

I agree with Mike that this is possibly a grout haze issue. Do a TEST in a small area with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. I realize that you're dealing with a tumbled slate (which is extremely porous). Since they're 1x1 mosaic, it may have been difficult trying to use a grout release (due to possible dripping over the edges).

[danielle f]

Thanks. I tried the vinegar which did get rid of a lot of the powdery looking haze.
I am left with grout stuck in crevices & I've just spent almost all day just scrubbing it out. It looks about halfway better but I don't want to seal the grout until I am happy with the tile. I'll try Lowes tomorrow to see what cleaners they have.


In the meantime, Tile Gurus, can I use my shower? The grout has sat for nearly 24 hours as per the grout instructions but still not sealed. It's just the walls, not floor, that's tiled. Must I wait until sealing it?

[Davestone]

You can use it you'll just have to clean it,which you have to anyway, before sealing.You got on it a little early with the vinegar, hopefully it won't hurt the grout.

[danielle f]

eek, I hope it won't hurt it too. I wasn't overly liberal with it - mostly had it on a q-tip actually, but once or twice put it on a small rag.
I probably won't seal for a couple of days then & keep picking away at the grout on the tiles until I reach something I am happy with.

Thanks everyone. Wish I could say I might be informed enough to help out one day but it's not likely LOL.

[doitright]

Hi Danielle :)

I personally don't recommend using the shower with that material unsealed. Currently the grout is your only issue. If you start using it without it being sealed, I guarantee you new issues will need to be corrected, and some may be irreversible. :eek:

[kennyB]

I ran into the same problem as you did when I did our slate 1/2 bath. Even though it was sealed well before grouting, still had a problem with haze and grout in cracks.

EVEN though this is against the manufacturers instructions, I noticed too that when wet looked great. So I put another 2 light coats of stonetech enhancer pro, and did not wipe it off as recommended, and looks great now! Let it dry well between coats and looks just like after wiping it down with water, and none of the grout and haze is visible!