Help for a friend

[BobbieB]

I have a friend that wants to use some of the tumlbed marble or stones...they are small...and someone told her to seal them before grouting...they are very porous..and we were wondering how they clean up...with the small pin point holes in them and using dark grout...some of the stones are light and some are dark...the name is Zumpano Nile rocks border 2" x 12" it will be used in an inset between some Corian and some 6x6 tiles...Should she seal them before grouting? She said another name they had for it was Zumbono Colorado Rock border? thanks so much...you are all such a big help here.... BobbieB

[Davy]

Hi Bobbie, I hardly ever seal before grouting but many folks around here do. You sure can if you'd like. If the tiles are to be enhanced, use an enhancer sealer before grouting and then again after the grout hardens. I fill the holes with grout, that's better than dirt and food filling them.

[BobbieB]

Thanks so much Davy, we were afraind the sealing before would keep the grout from sticking...and what is enhanced? Thinking it might be when you do an inset...like a deco other things into the pattern...Is that right? So then you have the grout in the joints but also have it in the holes and crevices also...makes sense to me.....Thanks BobbieB

[Davy]

There are different types of sealers. On tumbled marble we would normally use either an enhancer (it enhances the colors, kinda like when the stone is wet) and a natural sealer, once it dries, it's invisible. I use enhancers with tumbled stone probably 80% of the time. Most folks like that look.

[Davy]

Here's one we sealed with enhancer.

[BobbieB]

Davy, that is beautiful...so would you seal it with an enhancer before you grout or before and after or just only after..? This is in a kitchen but just behind the sink going into a pushed out window sill....she has corian on the countertops and this tumbled rocky stuff will be a border between the corian and the other new tile in the window sill. Also, do the enhancers come in colors...I've just never known anything about them. I have used the sealer to just seal my grout joints in the floor and counter....clear....and if they are colored which color way should you go....with the lightest color or darker ...she's trying to pick a grout to marry the corian together with the new tiles in the deep window...they dont' make her corian anymore..so the rocky border is also to help tie them together... Bobbieb
I do want to say...I'm on several fourms...some gardening, some health issues that I have and I want to say this is the best one of any I've been on....quick response and so nice and helpful...thanks a bunch

[Davy]

Just when you brag about the quick response, I've got to hit the hay.

The sealers are clear, wet the stone, that's what the enhancer will look like on it. I normally seal after grouting but since you are using a dark grout it might be a good idea to seal before grouting. It just might keep the grout from staining the stone.

[Bill Vincent]

SHOWOFF!!

Nice work, Davey!

[opiethetileman]

Hell that was Marthas Stewarts priison wall he just showed. See you do something wrong go to jail and wham now you get the pimp cell????? good job davy

[John Bridge]

Hi Bobbie,

Don't know what in the world Opie is talking about. It has nothing to do with this thread, though.