Cleaning Saltillo tile

[Caped Crusader]

cleaning up after 3 years

I love my saltillo, it was sealed three years ago, yet several areas need to
be cleaned, mainly from black scuff marks, hairspray residue, foot traffic, etc.

any good ideas...Simple green and bab O haven't made a dent

[cx]

Welcome, Crusader, wassa you front name?

We've got us some pretty knowledgeable peoples in the cleaning and restoration end of the tile bidness hereabouts. First thing they're gonna wanna know is what your tiles were sealed with. Be as specific as possible, including brand name(s) if known.

[Caped Crusader]

I used Aqua Mix, Low Sheen sealer...thanks for the heads up..

[John Bridge]

Hi Plano, Welcome aboard.

The first step will entail stripping off the old sealer. I don't think there's a really good way to spot treat the area. Here's a guy who knows more than I do.

kemikalguru@aol.com His name is Tim Thomas. He is our chemist and restoration specialist.

[kemguru]

The Caped Crusader, eh? Welcome.

Parts list:

String Mop
Mop bucket with wringer
Green scrub pads. I prefer 3M #86
Ammonia
Clean water
More Aqua Mix Low Sheen Seal

Mix up approximately 10 oz of ammonia per gallon of water in your mop bucket. Mop the floor real well. Using the mop, scrub tough areas. Real bad areas will require the use of a green pad. Mop a few times, if need be. Change you ammonia/water solution often (when it gets cloudy, or at least every 200 sq. ft.). Your floor will be only as clean as your dirty mop water.

Rinse with lots of clean water. Do it again. Then do it again. If you already have a wet-vac, use it to suck up both the ammonia/water solution and the clean water rinse. If not, no worries, just mop real well. TYW Neutral Tile & Stone Cleaner will help in rinsing, big time. It is also the perfect maintenance cleaner for your clean, sealed floor.

Keep everybody off the floor for the night. Reseal the next morning. I clean and reseal in the same day, but I use lots of fans and make for darn sure the floor is dry before I seal. Your new coat of seal will turn white if you seal in moisture. If you cant wait overnight, that’s fine, but you will need to use a wet-vac to extract and put as many fans on the floor as possible.

Keep us updated, eh? And be sure to pay yourself at least $2.00 a foot for this job.

[Caped Crusader]

Thanks so much for the info...will get this working soon. Can i send the wife, dog and kids over while I work?

Crusader

[bbcamp]

If they like birds, send them to John's house. The big one in Katy.

[kemguru]

Sure, Crusader, whatever it takes to get the job done.

[dlamontm98]

Hello Crusader, I'm here in the Arlington,TX area and I do Saltillo restoration as well.

Another method of stripping your Saltillo bare is using a strong natural stone stripper to remove the bacteria and dirt, which has embedded itself in your floors pores. Using a rotary machine with a green or black pad. Scrub the floor very well to remove the embedded dirt. Once you are finished--rinse the floor thoroughly with a wet vac to save you time. Be sure to reall hit your baseboards as well. Once the floor has dried completely--Seal it. If you are looking for that natural look--then go with Aqua's Low Sheen Shine. If you want that high shine--go with about 4 to 5 coats of Dura Gloss.

Feel free to contact me at dlamontm99@hotmail.com

[robtish]

I’m about to reveal how clueless I am. What do you mean by “a strong natural stone stripper”? Is the green or black pad the natural stone stripper? Or is the stripper a chemical? If so, what chemical do you use and at what point do you apply it? Finally, is the rotary machine the same thing as a rotary floor buffer?

Thanks for your help!

[John Bridge]

Hi Rob,

I'm going to move this over to our new tile and stone care forum.

[kemguru]

Hi Rob

I was hoping Derek would come back to clarify.

Let me take a shot

“Strong natural stone stripper” = Methylene Chloride. Off-white, paste type product typically sold as a “glue & adhesive remover” or “paint & varnish remover.” Check this link out for instructions.

http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/show...threadid=10009

The “black or green pad” is an abrasive scrubbing pad that you would use under the “rotary machine”….otherwise known as a rotary floor buffer.

[kemguru]

So how did I do, Derek?

What are you working on, Rob?

Did you unload the family yet, Crusader?

[dlamontm98]

You did a great job of answer those questions Tim--thanks for covering me.

Well, Tim--I am trying new methods of marketing--I went and joined the Chamber of Commerce. They told me that I was the only member involved in Tile & Grout Restoration--so, hopefully door will tremendously open up for me in that area. I will still be doing the old fashion way of marketing and that is passing out door hangers.

They did inform me that you do have to put forth the effort of getting your business out there, by participating in networking activities which they hold every month. So, I am looking forward to talking to some decision makers---Hell, while I was there I met a realtor who is geting ready to close on a house and she wants the shower to be steam cleaned and sealed. Not bad for the first day of membership.

The yellow pages have not really worked out that well. I have done a lot of estimates and some have panned out and others were bust. The yellow pages brings you nothing but price shoppers--I'm into giving quality work and tired of dealing with price shoppers who aren't willing to pay for the quality work they received. I can't wait until August--thats when I get to cancel my yellow page ad.

[doitright]

Hi Derek

Boy, getting hooked up with the Chamber and a realtor in one day! Good job!

When I first started out in business, my dad was a realtor. I couldn't have had a better refferal (he's a smooth talker)!

Thing's haven't slowed down since. All word of mouth. The current referral's go something like this: "He's not cheap, but he'll give you the best job possible." Sounds like that's the avenue you're headed on. Best regards!