shower granite sealer

[tommasden]

i have cut and polished some pieces of granite for a shower install. This is for a shower bench, curb and shelf. what kind of product to use for shower granite?

also, if i apply product do i only apply to the part i polished (the cut edges) or the whole piece?

[cx]

What sort of "product" do you have in mind, Tom? You're thinking perhaps a penetrating sealer?

What are your expectations for such a product in that application?

[Tool Guy - Kg]

I’d have the same questions as CX. Also, seeing that bare cement board, I’d hope you’ve got a plan for waterproofing.

[tommasden]

That pic just shows the granite which has not yet been installed. The shower is fully waterproof.

Regarding the treatment of granite for showers, I have no idea what product to use or what the standard is. I am wondering what the normal treatment/products are.

[Trask]

Hey Tom

We prefer a solvent based impregnator when no change in color / appearance is desired . I personally feel solvents are a better driver for dense material like granite . My favorite is StoneTech / Laticrete Impregnator Pro .
That said ; there are plenty of other water based solutions that have great technology too … I’m just personally more comfortable with solvents based on experience. If I was to go the water based route - I still like StoneTech and their
“ bulletproof “ sealer .

[tommasden]

Thanks I will look into StoneTech options

[cx]

Tom, I can speak from my days when TYW was a distributor of StoneTech Professional products for E.I. Dupont, after they bought out StoneTech, before it became part of Laticrete.

I recall some teaching I received from the folks at StoneTech. Specific to your application would be that solvent-based penetrating sealers were capable of carrying smaller molecules and better penetrating very dense stones. Some granites will accept such sealers readily, while others, not so much. I don't know which you have.

As for the StoneTech Bulletproof that Trask recommended, I was told by the StoneTech people that it was designed for the most porous of stones, which I don't believe you have.

Their products, if they haven't changed with the most recent changes in ownership, are excellent and always a good choice.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Natural stone is not homogeneous, but it appears that Tom has a granite that often goes by the name of ‘Lunar Pearl’. However, a given granite may be given alternate names to avoid competition with other retailers, so don’t be surprised if they call it something different. I’ve found Lunar Pearl to be quite porous.

[cx]

Is that porous for a granite, or porous for a stone in general, Goldstein? A material that might actually benefit from something like Bulletproof?

[tommasden]

i am going to double check with the company but I think I have https://www.sensagranite.com/colors/crema-pearl/

[Sharon @ LATICRETE]

Tom - once you know the answer to this our team can help you determine the best STONETECH product to use. You can reach out to them at 1.800.243.4788 x1235 or do a live chat at www.laticrete.com

[tommasden]

OK I contacted the company and they verified I have Sensa by Cosentino.

Crema Pearl

They sell it as:
https://www.cosentino.com/usa/sensa/ and say "no sealing is required"

https://www.sensagranite.com/what-is-sensa/

For general care after install they referred me to https://www.sensagranite.com/care-and-maintenance
which seems to indicate not maintenance is required.

but regarding cutting / fabricating they verified that edges do need to be treated once cut. They do not say if it should be polished and their support is not super helpful.

they stated unless I am a fabricator they will not sell me the product they recommend: SenGuard. I found it on Amazon but it is not available.

the manual they sent just says:

FINISHING THE EDGES AFTER PRODUCTION

Once the worktop edges, the cut-outs edges and the beveled joints have been finished, they must all be protected in the same manner as the rest of the worktop.

Before applying a new coat of SenGuard*, the edge’s surface should be cleaned well in order to ensure that between the SenGuard* and the stone. We recommend using a cloth or moist towel with a few drops of liquid detergent.

Cleaning should be carried out in a clean environment to prevent impurities from landing on the clean surface. The product should be applied once the surface is completely. dry to avoid trapping humidity in the interior when applying the SenGuard* Protection is applied by first pouring the product onto a cloth (never pour directly on the material). Then, the product is uniformly applied throughout the surface to be treated.

The treated surface should have a glossy appearance for 3-5 seconds once the product has been applied. Contact to any nearby areas should be avoided.

Once the product has been applied, approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Reapply
second application, any excess product should be removed with a dry cloth.
the worktop should not be handled for the next 24 hours.

[tommasden]

Well I dont see any other option at this point so I contacted LATICRETE Technical Service. They said STONETECH® Impregnator Pro® Sealer would be the equivalent to SenGaurd. But then they said BulletProof® Sealer would be better.

I told them I have newly cut and newly polished edges of granite for shower bench, curb and shelf + said I wanted to seal grout in shower.

Thay said BulletProof® Sealer requires 2 coats on newly cut and newly polished edges of granite and 2 coats on grout

They also said newly cut and newly polished edges of granite will not become more shiny because the product is invisible. I have seen various stuff online that seems to say finishing products like this will make newly cut and newly polished edges of granite edges more shiny - is that not true?

[Tile & Stone Guild]

Use the bulletproof on the edges with no worries. It won't be more shiny once it is dry. I understand wanting to protect it but you are overthinking it.

[tommasden]

OK I was under the impression you could make it more shiny after polishing...guess I could just seal and call it good. Might try to bump up the shine again with polishing

They recommend Polishing sequence (gloss) 50 – 120 – 400 – 800 – 3000

Before I saw that recommendation I did 50 – 100 - 200 – 400 – 800 – 1500 - 3000 for about 1 minute each

anyone know if doing it with their suggested numbered pads and/or for different amounts of time would make it more shiny?