Stripping old sealer off of saltillo to then clean and reseal

[arnzentile]

Hello,

I have a customer who has some smooth saltillo tile installed 20 years ago and it is now dirty along with the grout joints as well as some water stains in some areas. And the existing sealer needs to be stripped before I can clean and reseal the saltillo tile. I guess the main problem is finding a product to strip the existing sealer. I have tried a number of common strippers (Glaze n' Seal and Aquamix) but I think I need a more specific product used especially to strip saltillo. Any good suggestions? Also, any advice on the water stains would be appreciated. I live in San Diego and it is an indoors project.

Thanks, Will

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[teeitup]

If you choose not to do it we have specialized in paver refinishing for the last 26 years. We can do it and put something on the job for you. See my website http://www.tilesealing.com/ you can contact us via the contact form on the website. We can do most complete strips in one day. Your customer will be happy, you will make some money and you will be happy also

[Davestone]

Well, saltillo stripping can be your biggest nightmare, it sounds like you'll need a stripper such as Fran mar soy stripper,it is more bio friendly than products such as Super Strip,Methylene chloride paint strippers,or Aldon stripper.But be advised this is no easy job.You must let the stripper dwell, scrape the tiles off, reapply stripper,scrape again, then use an alkaline cleaner if it is stripped to get the residue off.The stripping will clean the tiles don't worry about that.But if you've never done it my advice is to take Teeitup's advice and hire it out.Believe me it'll be money well spent.

[doitright]

Hi Will, Welcome! :)

Stripping can be very challenging. The first step is to try to identify what type of product was (or has been) applied to the floors. Some are coated with acrylic wax, paste wax, polyurethane coatings, & epoxy.

As you have been doing, TEST first. You could try high alkaline strippers, and solvent based strippers.

Or, you could hire Mike (and make some money)! ;)