Welcome To Tim's World

[cx]

If I'm really quick I can be first to post on this new forum.

Of course, this is prolly the last time I'll post here, too, since I know less about cleaning and restoration of tile surfaces than I do about most of the other topics I comment on hereabouts.

OK, floor's open.

Where's Maurizio?

[Davy]

And I can be second.

[tileguytodd]

Congratulations Tim on getting an office.you do realize that if you cant find some help you will be required to man your post 22.5 hours per day with time off for meals only.
I'll let the mail room guy know where your at.he likes Snickers bars and he gets cranky without them and may forget where you live.I suggest the mini's as a way to get your urgent mail on a very regular basis
Knock em dead Buddy!!

[John Bridge]

Hi Folks,

As many know, Tim Thomas is our resident chemist and the guy who manufactures the Tile Your World line of tile and stone care products. He is also an expert in tile, stone and masonry restoration.

We are pleased to welcome Tim to our staff of distinguished moderators -- okay, to our staff. We also have as members several other maintenance and restoration professionals whom we hope will jump in and help out here. Judging from the number of tile and stone care questions we get regularly, we expect this to become a very busy place.

[doitright]

Hey Tim

Great idea! Was it your's?

It was mentioned the differance of sealers and impregnatiors. There was mention of oil & water resistance. I was taught some impregnators and/or sealers, if water based had better oil resistance, and solvent based had better water resistance. Some of course are both. Some specifically formulated for calcerous stones, while others specifically formulated for products with a silica concentration (granites, cement grouts, and slate).

What's the scoop?

[kemguru]

Why yes, it was. But it was RandyL that got me thinking.

You were taught well, John

Solvent-based has an affinity for oils. Low quality products retain that affinity…think silicone here. High quality solvent-based products do not use silicone and their low surface tension was hard to beat. Thanks to fluoro technology water-based products can compete in regard to surface tension. It still boils down to surface tension. Years ago, water-based would hold oil out for a short time (think about water and oil separating), but it would't take long for oil to penetrate. They did not have the durability of a solvent-based product. Things have changed. Surface tension.

Silicates are popular. Certain silicates react with certain minerals. Again, that’s old school, like silicone. Fluoro products are extremely versatile compared to silicates. Some products rely on surfactants now, in addition to resins/polymers/fluoropolymers. Certain surfactants can react with certain minerals.

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Tim,

I think this is a great idea.

Best wishes,

Steven

[kemguru]

Thank you, Steven

[RandyL]

Very cool! Geez......ask an ye shall recieve I guess. Hmmmmmm can't even think of a question right now. Well, anyway enjoy your newly unpaid job..

[smee]

What a great idea!

This place just keeps getting better and better!

Great good luck to you with 'Tim's World'

Maurizio is teaching a class on stone restoration in Philly, PA.
Be back on line Monday!
BTW, brilliant idea to have a separate forum for this topic!
Ciao everybody!
Maurizio

[doitright]

Hi Maurizio

If your students have any questions, you know where to direct them!

[kemguru]

[Davy]

This is a great idea, now go to work Tim.

[flatfloor]

Yeah, get to work! Do something about the office floor.