Possible sealing problem on ceramic tile

[akinito]

Hi..it's me again, akinito.
NOW, my question is about my kitchen cer floor. My :crap: y handyman looks like he used the wrong sealer..i'm not sure. it is called "TileLab Gloss Sealer & Finish. Protective finish for Saltillo, terra-cotta, slate and flagstone"
am I missing something here on the label..like the word Ceramic tile? Does one have to seal the tile, too or just the grout...i thought you just seal the grout and then wipe off if it got on the tile. because right now, the damn seal is all over the tiles with wipe marks.
Q #1: Is this the wrong product used?
Q #2: How can I take this wipe marks off..I can't even scrape it off with just my finger nail :cry:
I tried the company's website but it is not working (www.custombuildingproducts.com)

(I'm not sure if anyone out there recalls my predicament..this is the floor that my handman F*** up by using liq nails then screws to install the CB...)

akinito

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[akinito]

:scratch: ok...........i just read one of John Bridge's article about sealers. Did I understand correctly..that water based sealers (which this TileLab sealer is)-when left to dry on tile will not be able to be stripped off? OMG..please tell me there is a solution...

akinito

[Davestone]

Wellll, a topical sealer such as this is made to go over tile, but really it's for absorbent tiles such as unglazed or saltillo,it doesn't work well on ceramic,as you noticed.I would try first an alkaline cleaner,they're usually marketed as stone heavy duty cleaners,and let it sit on the tile awhile then use a scrubbing pad.......If you like the matte glaze, then i would try putting some sealer on a rag and going over the swirl marked tiles,it may blend them in.Now if the alkaline cleaner doesn't work you may have to go to an acidic cleaner, like sulfamic acid crystals.

[akinito]

thanks davestone

i checked the CUSTOM BUILDING products website (TileLab) .. they have the TileLab Heavy duty cleaner and stripper. and they said it can remove the TileLab Sealer & FInish that I used.
ok..with that info...after stripping ..do we need to seal the GROUT this time again? how much time should he wait..24,48 hrs before sealing again? i am thinking of just doing this task myself. is it a task where i will have to apply the sealer only on the grout lines and carefully wipe off excess that comes on the tile? so it's like "draw/paint a straight line" and not going beyond the line kinda thing.you'd have to excuse me but i have not witnessed this process...i am assuming with everything that turned out, it looked like that he just applied the sealer all over the floor..

thanks again for your prompt response
akinito

[CastleTile]

Well after reading this thread all I could do was shake my head and feel your frustration. You will indeed need to reseal your floor.(Make sure your floor is completely free from stripper. Wipe it down twice for good measure with water.) I would wait 24 hours and then purchase a good penetrating sealer. I use Miracle Sealant 511 porous plus. Just spray it on an area let is sit for 5 min to get in the grout and then polish with a clean white terry cloth. It goes rather quickly. Note do not let it dry on the tile. make sure you wipe down tile before sealer dries. That simple. :wave:

Bill

[akinito]

:( thank you Bill for feeling my pain

i will get that Miracle sealer..thanks for your expertise.

akinito

[JTG]

Hey there dcear you are not keeping all of your posts in one thread.
It you did folks would understand the whole story here and someone may think twice prior to having the installation being done by an friends handyman who is in way over his head.
Good Luck
JTG

[akinito]

Hi jerry..
actually I did post on the original thread, after I posted here in the 'sealing' section..i realized i shoulda done it on the orignal one..so i did another post on the original one but no one responded :uhh:

oops..as the young ones say..my bad

akinito

[twinkle]

akinito, I did the same mistake. Please let me know what works on ur floor to remove sealer/finish.(I used sealer/enhancer. Yeah,I know BIG mistake:( I swear I am never going to do DIY job in my brand new home again.)
Also I am repeating the same question again (sorry,It didn't mean to hijack ur thread) but can somebody tell me if it is it ok to apply sealer again so that the floor looks even?

[akinito]

hi twinkle
i didnt use any stripper..too chicken, might ruin the glazed finish.
wud u believe i scraped w/ green scotchbrite w/warm water then scraped with a plastic blade i had that came in a kit from one of those window film/sticker thingies,,,no scratches and the outcome was nice and smoothn and aching shoulders!!! so i have 12 tiles done in an hr!!!! lots more to go..yay!!! :wtf:

[Davestone]

You guys are killin yourselves.I would use a stripper,you can get them at HD and Lowes,let them sit on the tile awhile and then scrub, a wetvac will help.It is okay to use a sealer to blend in a botched sealer job also.

[akinito]

thanks Davestone!!

i will try the stripper..back to HD..
it was actually raining that day and i was just curious if some sweat can do it..i guess i was just too anxious to see the end result and i was glad to see a very successful smoothness...

silly me.. :bonk: