Bulletproof sealer - what did I do wrong?

[ErikaH]

I have been applying BulletProof sealer to my granite tile countertop tonight. I think I followed the directions exactly. I applied it with a paint pad to the whole countertop. As I finished the first time over the whole surface, I went back over to make sure it was even with no puddling. After 15 minutes from initial application, I went over it with a clean cloth to get up all the sealer that was still wet. I waited 30 minutes and applied a second coat in the same manner. Now, I've been doing the final wipe down with a clean towel.

The surface of the tile looks terrible! In some areas, it has some circular patterns where the sealer dried in some areas before others. Most of the surface has a streaky haze in the circular pattern that I used when I did the wipe down. If I REALLY buff it (like buffing the wax on a car), I can get rid of most of the streaky haze and circular patterns. Is it supposed to be this hard? I don't think my arms will take this if I have to buff the whole countertop!

Erika

[Mike2]

First of all, what type of granite?

Sounds to me like you didn't wipe it completely "dry" after the first 10 to 15 minutes. It's easy for the wipe down rag to become damp if not saturated with sealer and if it isn't turned often enough or replaced with a dry rag, it's not possible to get all the excess off. It will then dry as you have described.

As a test in just one of those particularly bad areas apply some fresh sealer, let that sit for 5 to 10 minutes then wipe it completely dry. See if the haze and swirl marks go away. The idea here is to reemulsify the first coat of sealer so it can be removed much easier.

If not come right back and we'll move you over to the Sealing, Cleaning, and Restoration Forum.

[ErikaH]

This is a Giallo Veneziano granite tile. I think I did wipe it the first time until there was no visible moisture left. This even happened on the very first section that I did - where the cloth was completely dry before I started. But there was this swirly haze. The best way to describe it is like someone started waxing their car, and started buffing it, but didn't finish the job. So you have a swirly haze and not a solid shiny surface. KWIM?

I'll go try what you suggested about adding some new sealer in one area and see if it gets better...

[muskymike]

Hi Erika, sorry to hear about the problem. Mike has the right idea though. Was wondering what is KWIM?

[Mike2]

Know What I Mean?

psst. I didn't know what it was either MM. Had to Google it up.

[muskymike]

Ah ha! Thanks Mike!

[Mike2]

Erika, what kind of cloth are you using? Terry?

[DonB]

This may be one of the true granites that won't take a sealer. I understand it's a very bad mistake to apply sealer to some of them.

Don

[doitright]

Hi Erika

Do you know if your granite is resined?

Please post back with your results.

Hi Don

You're absolutely correct. That's why we recommend TESTing to se whether or not any sealer is needed in the first place. Contrary to popular belief, all natural stone does not need to be sealed.

[ErikaH]

Sorry for the shorthand. I get so used to using abbreviations on my message boards that I assume they're understood everywhere!

Well, rubbing the surface again with some sealer and having my husband follow behind buffing it seems to have helped. I definitely didn't think that was what was required from the directions. In my mind, "wipe entire surface thoroughly with clean dry towel" is not the same as "wipe dry, changing cloths regularly as needed, buffing until surface is completely clear and shiny". I did wipe the entire surface the first time, but didn't buff it until all the marks were gone.

I do believe the stone needed to be sealed. It did darken when water was put on the surface and it soaked in. As far a I know, it is not resined.

At first, I had used a dish towel. The second time through I grabbed a terry-cloth hand towel. The instructions didn't specify.

So, thanks for your help everyone. Of course, I had waited until the end of the day so that it could cure overnight without anyone touching it. It figures that I'd have a problem this late at night. I'm glad there were other night owls on here!

One other question - what should I clean the countertops with now? Just regular cleaner that I'd use on a countertop (like Fantastik or similar), or do I need to use something special?

Erika

[Mike2]

Do yourself and your new countertop a BIG favor and buy a PH Neutral tile and grout cleaner, most any place where tile supplies like sealers are sold. An example of some good ones are: All Purpose Stone and Tile Cleaner along with Restore Restoration Cleaner available through the On-Line store here. Restore has a little bit of sealer in it so as you clean, you also replenish the sealer all in one application.



P.S. Erika, if necessary you can also dampen a white nylon scrubby type pad (a.k.a. Dootlebug) with sealer to remove any residue or swirls and then dry again thoroughly with clean dry terry towel.

[doitright]

Hi Erika

Thanks for reporting back. Your description is much more explicit than given on the label. The difference is depending on the porosity of the stone. What made you decide to apply a second coat of Bulletproof?

As far as cleaning Mike was correct, except for using Restore. Restore has an acidic base and is not safe for the use on marble (for the benefit of other readers). Stone Tech Revitalizer is the cleaning product that has a small almount of sealer built in.

[Mike2]

Thanks for the correction John. He's absolutely right Erika, I was thinking Revitalizer but for some reason typed Restore.

[ErikaH]

I will go ahead and order some cleaner, then. Thanks!

So, here's a couple pictures of our new countertop. The only problem now is that it makes the cabinets look dated. So now we're planning on refacing them!

[ErikaH]

John, I notice you're in Mundelein. My husband works around the corner from you, at Medline. We bought all the tile from our last project up there from Century Tile. Here's a couple pictures of that project.