Tumbled Marble Sealer

[chas22]

I just finished laying a 4" tumbled marble backsplash. A guy at the tile place told me to use Aqua Mix Enrich "n" Seal on the tile first then grout it and use the Enrich "n" Seal again over all of it. Is this correct ?
Is The Aqua Mix as good as Stone Tech Enhancer Pro ? Should I use a water or Solvent based sealer. Thanks for the Help.

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[Davestone]

That's a good sealer, and his advice is pretty accurate.But the enhancee may darken the grout,test it.I tend to think solvent based enhancers give a richer enhancement.

[coastalhp]

It's often a good idea to use the same sealer for both pre-sealing and sealing for bonding issues. Keep in mind though, that pre-sealing can sometimes cause bonding issues between the tile and grout itself, so you may want to pre-seal the tile but be careful about getting it only on the face of the tile and not on the edges where you want your grout to bond.

I agree with Dave and don't like the look of an enhancer over grout. You'd have to check with StoneTech, but I believe an option may be to use Enrich 'N Seal for the pre-grouting, then follow up afterward with BulletProof. If I remember correctly, these two products are compatible and won't have a problem bonding together.

I've always found AquaMix chems to be good and do as they claim, and I've never had a problem with them. But, personally, I always use StoneTech when choosing between the two of them.

[doitright]

Hi Chas22 :)

It just depends on the look you're after. With tumbled marble, some grades are quite porous, while others aren't. It will also depend if there are any holes present in the stone (which I recommend grouting). There is a big difference between the variables of grout color/stone color/natural impregnator/enhancing impregnators (which can vary greatly between the various manufacturers).

Give us a few more details of what you're using and looking for a end result.

No matter what, TEST first!

[chas22]

Well I took a wet rag and wiped over the tumbled marble which I understand is the look that I will get with the enhancer. The wife thinks she may like the drier look over the dark (enhanced) look and she doesn’t want it to be shinny. If that is the case should I just use a water base sealer like Aqua Mix’s Sealers Choice Gold on the tile first, then grout and reapply another coat over the grout and tile.

[Steven Hauser]

I think a solvent based impregnating sealer will be the best choice of looking the same after it is applied.

We make one called SB.

:)

[doitright]

Hi Chas22 :)

I've been using STT's products for a couple of years now, as well as Stone Tech, Aqua Mix, Miracle, Prosoco, etc (for many more years).

I have to say that for being a solvent based sealer, it's been one of the lowest odor products I've ever used (including comparing it to some competing water based products). It's penetration, coverage, and performance is superb.

'Some of the issues that I've run into using some of the water based sealers is fogging in the grout joints. This can usually be eliminated with a couple of adjustments to the application process.

Either way, TEST first (and don't use an enhancer)!