Stripping Slate Sealer HELLLLLP!

[tripn4days]

So I built this great looking slate shower and couldn't find a high gloss sealer that worked for "standing water" at Lowe's.

Thinking standing water meant just that, I went ahead and purchased and applied AquaMix High Gloss sealer to my shower walls, but NOT the floor, thinking that since the water would run down the walls, and I could have the high gloss shine I wanted on the walls, and would just use a different product for the shower floor. (Sunday two weeks ago)

After calling AquaMix Corp HQ (The next day--DUMB move on my part, huh?) I was told that the sealer would turn white from the repeated exposure to moisture... even though technically it's not "standing water"

So now I need to strip off the freshly applied AquaMix High Gloss Sealer :(

What product will easily (being the key word here) remove this newly applied sealer without damaging the slate tiles?

What product works best for a high gloss finish in a shower over slate?

The gal at AquaMix recommended their DeepClean product to remove sealer, but the label says nothing about it's ability to strip off previously applied sealer... it just says it removes and cleans off wax, grease, soapscum, etc.

Does anybody have any expereince with my situation or the DeepClean Product? I hope my shower's not ruined for life!!!

I have no idea what type of slate it is. It's grey and grey w/orange coloring and is the only kind of slate sold at home depot.

Any help on this topic would be GREATLY appreciated.... I kick myself for not just waiting till Monday to call AquaMix before ruining my project :(

Also... does anyone have an idea about how long (4-5 showers a day) it will take for the AquaMix sealer to turn white?

Thanks Again!

Ben

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[Davestone]

I wouldn't remove it unless it does turn white,it might not.Also, basically a solvent based sealer wouldn't turn white.But i wouldn't use a topical sealer at all, i would just use an enhancer.I would follow their removal directions, if they say the cleaner will remove it it probably will, most high alkaline cleaners will remove water based sealers.

[valleywidestonecare]

That gloss you put on there is also a sealer. Not just a finish. You might be ok. Plus if you leave it alone it will wear done more on its own so when it comes time to redo it the walls will be that much easier.

If you want to remove it anyway just go get the auqamix stripper and get after it. I've found that the same brand always seem to work better than switching it up.

[tripn4days]

Thanks for the input guys... Also, I was in the HD the other day and saw they have a Quikcrete outdoor sealer. I imagine that it's solvent based, but since it lists slate as one of the recommended surfaces, AND since it's made for outdoors, I was thinking it would be ideal for the wet abuse of a shower. Anyone concur on this?

Thanks!

[doitright]

Hi Ben :)

Personally, I'd stay away from that QuickCrete sealer you mentioned. Exterior use and showers are two entirely different animals. The rainfall equivalent for average daily shower usage is about 1,200 inches annually!

If you want to pursue using that sealer, I suggest you call QuickCrete's technical assistance department, and talk to them about your intentions. I could be way off base, but I suggest only using tile and stone specific products.

[Davy]

Hi Ben, sounds like you used a topical sealer like Dave said. A topical sealer seals the tile at the surface but water always finds its way past it and into the tile and grout. Once past it, it can't get back out and will turn the sealer white and/or make it peel. The enhancer he mentioned is a penetrating sealer and allows the stone to breathe. :)