Outdoor Saltillo Tile - Finish Removal & Blotchy

[bgtile]

Over a year ago we installted a saltillo tile on our patio. We are very happy with the install - not so happy with the finish. A year ago after stripping and sccubbing to no avail for a uniform finish - we gave up and sealed it with two coats impregnating sealer followed by a matte finish.

Since then the matte finish flaked up (even though it said outdoor was ok). Now we have tried to strip it and start over. We have two issues:


Still have sealant residue on the tiles. Other than how we have been - any ideas that will not damage the tile (if we have not already)?
The tiles are blotchy (this is not new) and I want to fix it this time before sealing again. How can we get a more uniform finish?


We used:

TileLab Matte Sealer & Finish
TileLab Heavy Duty Cleaner and Stripper
TileLab Surfaceguard Penetrating Sealer


Thanks for the advice - hope the pictures help -
Brenda

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[Davestone]

Saltillo strip and reseal is one of the toughest tiling jobs there are,i've done it and now avoid it.If you did the first strip by hand, i'd advise doing this one with a buffer and stiff nylon brush, or a brown and maybe a black stripping pad.Let the stripper dwell(use the appropriate stripper advised for the sealer you used)for at least five full minutes before scrubbing.Now if you've got most of the sealer off the tile will quickly absorb the stripper and any water you are using(this is good)if the tile doesn't want to suck up water you've got more stripping to do.If you've got all the flaky stuff off, and it is at least slowly absorbing water throughout the job i'd call it a day, and let it dry and begin the reseal process.Be advised at this point you should decide what finish you want,read through this link i give you to decide...http://www.aldonchem.com/ ....http://www.saltillotileconnection.com/saltillo/

[Steven Hauser]

The only thing I'd add to Davestone's advice is after you let it sit, then scrub, use a shop vac to remove what ever you scrub and then rinse.

This has to be done over and over.

[bgtile]

you think that will get teh blotchiness out? We have done what you have said 3 times already -

[Davestone]

Probably not,anything could have stained it,but sealing takes a lot of those type marks out, or at least hides them, you'd be surprised.Especially if you use an amber colored sealer.