Granite sealer issues...

[RRandal]

Hi all,
I have browsed the forum for a couple of years or so, off and on, but now need some sealer help.

I had granite (Tropical Brown) installed a few days ago, and while the installer said that it should have been sealed before it was installed, it still soaked up water rather rapidly. The installer came out and *slathered* on some TileLabs sealer - don't know which exactly, but he wiped it down after about 3-5 minutes kinda' haphazardly and said to let it sit for an hour and then wipe it down again. Well, there was quite a bit of haze that is a REAL PAIN to remove, and the granite still soaks up water and leaves dark marks. The dark marks do go away after a while, but to me it seems that the sealer should do a better job.

I don't really care to deal with the individual(s) that did the install/sealer anymore :noid: , so now my questions:
1) Can I remove this sealer with acetone and then apply something else more highly recommended like Stone Tech Bulletproof or Aqua Mix Sealers Choice?

2) Can I apply either of the above sealers over the TileLabs?

3) Will either of the above 2 options get rid of the haze that is left over from the initial sealing?

Thanks,
Rodney

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[Davestone]

You could use a stripper, and go over the stone and let dry and use one of the sealers you mentioned, or get some Tilelab surfaceguard and apply it to the stone, let it soak in awhile reapply if it's soaked in and wipe with a dry towel,and wait awhile and wipe again with a white scrubby pad to remove haze.Here's a link to some good stripper,Lowes should carry it...http://www.aquamix.com/for_home_use/products/product_group.asp?pgid=9833

[RRandal]

So.... do you think that the Tilelab Surfaceguard is an OK sealer, and should I go that way, or would it be better to strip it off?

Does this stripper (I am assuming that you are referring to this Sealer and Coating Stripper (http://www.aquamix.com/for_home_use/products/pg_detail.asp?pdid=32086&pgid=9833) ) do more than acetone? I think that I have read that acetone will remove sealers....

Thanks,
Rodney

[doitright]

Hi Rodney :)

The only way to know if the acetone will strip your sealer will be to do a TEST.

The first thing you need to do is remove the sealer haze. You can try elbow grease, acetone, possibly 0000 steel wool, or a blue scrub pad. As always TEST first.

Usually it's best to apply a solvent based sealer over a water based sealer.

Dave's method in suggesting reapplying the SurfaceGuard is in hopes of removing the haze without going through the stripping process (and possibly netting better end effect of the sealer itself).