George T-help- sealing fireplace hearth

[Fishboat]

George,

What product would you suggest to seal (color enhance & seal before grouting) an indian slate hearth? The hearth surface may reach 100-125 degrees F.

Also, the vertical surfaces of the fireplace are drystacked rough-hewn slate. Would the same sealer for the hearth be OK for this?

I want to avoid any gloss...I'd like to keep the matte finish.

thanks,
Kevin

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[GeorgeT]

Kevin -

Any decent Enhancer will take the heat of the Hearth as its not truly hot enough to affect the sealer...Ours is the Enhancer Pro... The dry stack is a bit of an issue only in the application process. An even application with good coverage plus the ability to wipe off any excess.... take your time and it should go well. Wipe it back and don't miss any spots.....

And do a little test spot to make sure you like depth of enhancement... You could always test the water-based Rich Color Enhancer too ... might give a different level of enhancement.

[Trask]

While we got ya on the topic George..I've have basalt dry stack stone wall I wanted to enhance but had difficulty getting a even amount on the rough surface. Tried a few test stones and to be sure it seems it will take several coats..I would rather be light and do several coats than have the sealer running down the surface.Have you heard of any good results using a spay bottly to apply?

Thanks again for all your input here :tup1:

[GeorgeT]

Trask -
Dry stack is one of, if not the hardest, installation to apply enhancers on. Your suggested method was the only way I ever got the process to work well. Getting enough product on the surface without getting so much that you had to find ways to get in the spaces and dry it off....
StoneTech has backed off recommending spraying as a means of application as there were just to many health and safety issues, not to mention overspray nightmares....ever got sealer on unpainted sheetrock or a nice fresh plaster wall and then get a call from the painter later saying his paint doesn't stick?
Little thin light coats is the only way... you got to watch up in between the stones for drips, its easy to control on the face. Enhancer drips are the worst.. you don't catch them and you come back 24 hours later and you find drip runs that are darker than the surrounding that never blend in....Often used to use an old paint brush to work in between stones. It brushes out excess and makes sure of your coverage in the nooks and crannies.... Dry stack is slow work too.....