Brick Paver Kitchen/breakfast room floor - Ceramic Tile Advice Forums

pcambron · 03-13-2004, 06:30 PM

We have stripped the finish from this floor that we do not like. It has no interesting pattern, border, etc. Instead of sealing again, could we paint it with some kind of 'wash' so that it wouldn't look freshly painted, but worn or really old? Any suggetions at all would be appreciated.

John Bridge · 03-13-2004, 08:33 PM

Hi,

If it's a raw clay tile like Saltillo or another terracotta you can do it. If it's a glazed tile I would say no. The paint won't stick.

doitright · 03-13-2004, 08:47 PM

Hi PC

Can we get a 1st name please? I checked your history, and it appears these are brick pavers. Can you try to post us a picture?

Something that may work, would be an application of brown "Trewax", and then buff. I've used this procedure for "Mexican Clay Tile" and Quarry Tile. It will give you a "Antique" look.

pcambron · 03-13-2004, 09:13 PM

Hi, I'm Pat. Yes, these are brick pavers, I believe. We didn't install. I'm afraid I don't know how to post a pic, unless it's the same as attaching a pic to an email???

The Trewax sounds like it might be what I'm looking for. These are 'Old Chicago Style' brick with gray grout/mortar. Do you think it would work on these?

doitright · 03-13-2004, 09:30 PM

Hi Pat,

Without seeing them, it's hard to say. But as John points out, as long as they're not glazed, I'm sure you'll be fine!

pcambron · 03-13-2004, 10:43 PM

Thank you. I did take a couple of pics, but don't know how to post on here, so sent them as an attach to John. Maybe that will help.

John Bridge · 03-14-2004, 11:19 AM

Hi Pat,

If I got your email I deleted it mistakenly. Sorry, but I get so much garbage. You need to let me know it's coming and then label it "tile pictures" or something like that so I can separate it from the viagra ads.

To attach the files yourself, reduce them to less than 51 KB and make them jpeg format. Hit the "browse" button at the bottom of the text form and find the picture on your drive. Double click it and hit the post botton. Do NOT try to preview the post. We've never figured out why, but previewing deletes the picture.

If you can't figure any of that out, send the pics again. john@johnbridge.com

If you do the wax as John suggests, it'll prevent anything else like paint from sticking. You need to be sure of what it's going to look like before you committ to any finish. A combination of paint wash and then the wax might give you something beautiful. Might give you something ugly, too.

P.S. If you email the pictures, make sure you mention this thread in the email.

John Bridge · 03-14-2004, 02:30 PM

Here are Pat's pictures.

John Bridge · 03-14-2004, 02:30 PM

Number Two

John Bridge · 03-14-2004, 02:32 PM

First off, I lke the bricks the way they are.

I think you would just brush them with a watered down paint, keeping away from the grout joints. I wouldn't, though. It would be very hard to undo.

doitright · 03-14-2004, 02:43 PM

Thanks for posting the photo's John.

This type of floor has all kinds of options!

John Bridge · 03-14-2004, 02:59 PM

Okay, are you going to tell us what the options are, John?

pcambron · 03-14-2004, 03:04 PM

John, thanks for posting the pics.

Options are good ... All help greatly appreciated.

doitright · 03-14-2004, 04:51 PM

I thought you'd never ask?

Pat,

If I recall in your previous thread, you were looking for a antiqued old world look, correct? If that's the case, there are a couple of options. Since you just stripped these floors, you may want to darken them first with a stone enhancer. Then you may want to go over them with the Brown Trewax & buff. Another option is the linseed oil and paint thinner (50/50). It would need 2-3 applications, then top coat with the Brown Trewax, and buff.

A couple of things to consider, is the desired end look, and the other is how much maintenance are you willing to keep up with the floor. The methods above would require occassional rewaxing and buffing.

A more natural look can be achieved by just sealing the bricks as is. The surface would remain a bit more abrasive, but would only need to be maintained with a nuetral cleaner. Most nuetral cleaners for tile and stone have wax stripping abilities, therefore wouldn't be used in the first scenario with the Trewax.

If neither of these options are appealing, then Tim can chime in here with a suggestion of the application of one of the grout stains availabe. If that option is exercised, then reversal is about impossible. The waxes can always be stripped again.

What was the question?

pcambron · 03-14-2004, 05:06 PM

Hi, John. Thanks for the post. More than an 'old world, antique' look, I want a 'used' look while at the same time, a lighter, brighter look. So maybe the Trewax isn't the thing, after all?

I would also like to hear about the grout option you mention. Would this be put on the brick also? And John Bridge suggested that I might not want to use a paint wash, but I don't know another way to essentially change the overall impression to a 'lighter' look??? I do hesitate to do something that someone else might want to change at a later date, but I really don't like it the way it is.

Thanks again for your time and advice, Pat