Spots on travertine

[TipsyMcStagger]

Earlier this year, I had some tile work done in my kitchen and laundry room (back-splashes). The installer did a fantastic job but he was a fairly messy worker. I was removing dried thinset from my cabinet doors and washer/dryer for a few days, thankfully with no ill effects.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same about the floor. It appears that waste water from either the thinset or grout applications (or both) dripped onto the floor. What I'm left with looks like drop marks that are only visible from certain angles. In other words, as you walk across the floor, the spots come in and out of view depending upon the angle of the light.

I've tried kitchen scrubbers and steam to no avail. I'm assuming the surface has been etched by acids in the waste water.

Is there anyway I can rectify this on my own?

TIA.

Brad

[Miracle Sealants Tech]

Hi Brad-

From what you have described, it sounds exactly like etch marks. The fact that you only see them at certain angles is a shoe in.

Depending on what finish you have on your travertine (honed or polished) there are products one can use before having to possibly call in a professional to refinish it.

If it is a honed travertine then I would take a look at Miracle Sealants Mira Hone to buff those marks out and try and keep the same consistent finish.

For a polished travertine check out Miracle's Mira Dust or Mira Hone.

Thank You-

[TipsyMcStagger]

Originally Posted by Miracle Sealants Tech

If it is a honed travertine then I would take a look at Miracle Sealants Mira Hone to buff those marks out and try and keep the same consistent finish.

For a polished travertine check out Miracle's Mira Dust or Mira Hone.

Thanks MST. The floor was a bit a disaster in and of itself. I had to have the entire floor honed to eliminate excessive lippage as a result of poor installation.

It's not a dull finish but it's definitely not super shiny. I guess that would qualify as a honed surface?

TIA.

[Davestone]

Honed can be anything from totally dull to a semipolish.If it has a lot of fill or soft spots a duller finish would be better as it will have numerous dull spots any way.

[Miracle Sealants Tech]

You are correct. It sounds like a honed travertine. Stone will be considered honed whether it is completely dull (no reflection at all) which is normally a 60-70 grit abrasive finish. It is also honed with any finish up from that, say to a 1800 grit finish which would be considered a high honed finish.

[dhagin]

Welcome Miracle Sealants Tech.

Please put a first name in your signature line for us to use. Thanks.

[ceramictec]

Originally Posted by TipsyMcStagger

The floor was a bit a disaster in and of itself.
I had to have the entire floor honed to eliminate excessive lippage as a result of poor installation.

sounds like you found some good installers.

[Davy]

I'm surprised your tileman didn't cover your floors with drop clothes. That's the first think we do.

[doitright]

Hi Brad

I would start with a random orbital sander and put a green scotch brite pad under it. TEST in an inconspicuous area first. I use my Fein MultiMaster all the time to do touch ups like this. Finer grits of sandpaper can be used as well.

Honing powders work well when redoing larger areas, but if you don't have the different grits on hand, it's impossible to know which one will work to match your existing finish.