Sealing question on travertin - LIthofin Slate-Seal

[hander]

Hi all,

Well, we're almost there with the bathroom tiling! We went honed and filled travertine 5cm square mosaics on the walls and it looks very attractive (at the moment).

The tiler sealed the tiles with Lithofin Slate Seal. He left it to dry for about 90 mins or so before grouting. Bit worried that's too little time but I'm not about to tell him how to do his job and he assured me it was fine.

He also left half a tin of the above with me which should be enough for another coat - as he indicated I should do it periodically. And then he indicated that I should dry cloth polish a few hours after he'd left, which I've done...

I'm wondering whether another coat of the sealant might be wise at this stage or over the next few days. Part of the tiled walls will be getting a lot of water - shower at one end of the bath.

What do people think?

Appreciate the advice guys. This forums has been invaluable to me in sorting out this job. Gawd bless t'internet.

[Dave]

That sealer he has used is not suitable for honed and filled travertine.....should have been lithofin staindtop mn or mn plus.........IMO..

[hander]

Oh great.

Any thoughts on how I can rectify this?

[Dave]

You need to remove the slate sealer with Lithofin MN Power Clean.
and wash with plenty clean water and leave to thoroughly dry....

Then seal with lithofin stainstop mn or stainstop plus depending what finish you want....

[hander]

Thanks for this. Reading the slate-seal instructions, I'm going to have a hard time arguing with the tiler that he's used the wrong stuff, I think. It says it's for sealing natural stone (which travertine is).

So what's the difference between them?


Wouldn't he be justified in saying that stain protector is different stuff and I should have asked him for that if I'd wanted it?

This is getting highly depressing.

[Dave]

This is directly from lithofin data sheet for slate seal....

Field of application and suitable surfaces:

Provides a high gloss seal for all absorbent, porous natural stone, particularly for internal applications. Particularly suitable for Indian or Chinese slate with a naturally rough surface. Not suitable for polished and fine honed surfaces.

Now reading that i wouldn't say it was suitable ......

You can either chance it or leave it be and time will tell.......I can only recommend what i use and what lithofin recommend.....that's why they have products for particular stones ...i.e. rough and honed etc......

But seen as travertine is not exactly highly polished etc then it should be ok...but i can't guarantee that...

It does say it is suitable for absorbant stones but not fine honed...so is your travertine fine honed or not.....honed and filled.?......i take that as honed in my book......

As i have never used slate seal on travertine then maybe it will be fine.....

[hander]

Thanks Dave. If I leave it for a bit, is it (in your opinion) rectifiable if it starts to stain?

[Dave]

i don't for one minute think it will stain...just that the sealer might not have penertrated the stone and will infact just sit on the top.....and yes it is always recitfiable.........

The best thing to do is phone this number they will let u know if it is indeed suitable..

0845 226 1488

And will you let me know what they say...............I still wouldn't use slate seal on travertine but would like to know your job is going to be ok.........

[wayne]

i have used it on travertine once. the customer wanted gloss finish and wouldnt have it that it wasnt really suitable. the tile shop told him it was ok with travertine so he told me to use it. it did soak in to the stone but didnt look much different to stainstop when finished.

[Dave]

The thing is Wayne....stainstop is an impregnator where as slate seal is a topical sealer.....stain stop doesn't change the appearance of the stone unless you use stainstop mn plus which intensifies the colour....then slate seal is a high gloss sealer that does alter the appearance if you see what i mean...what i am trying to get at is that a topical sealer isn't really suitable for travertine..IMO..impregnators work much better........ and as you say it is down to customer choice as to whether they want a shiny finish or natural look.....

[garythetiler]

lithofin rep gave me his card outside world end tiles his name is bob sewell he is an expert on restoration of stone and will be able to give you technical advice the number on the card is 01962 732126 web www.lithofin.com hope this helps you

[Dave]

Cheers for that gary...I have just had alook on the lithofin website link that gary put up and they have different info....

Properties
Lithofin MN Slate-Seal forms a shiny film on the surface,
which closes the pores of the stone. This treatment prevents
water and dirt from penetrating into the surface, making it
easier to maintain. The permeability of the stone is greatly
reduced.
The colour structure of the stone is intensified; the surface
develops a “wet look”. The slip resistance can be affected
depending on the type of stone and the amount of product
applied. The protective film is hard-wearing and does not
yellow.
Durability: indoors and with correct maintenance and
depending on the level of wear and tear many years.
Outdoors, depending on the type of stone the film will last
for approx. 1 year. Can be reapplied when the effect fades.
Field of Use
For glossy sealing of rough and honed natural and
engineered stone surfaces. Embellishes the appearance
and facilitates maintenance. Preferrably used indoors.
Surfaces: nearly all absorbent, porous natural stones (e.g.
granite, gneiss, marble, limestone, slate, etc.) and

engineered stones.

so i think you will be OK...........I still prefer impregnators on that ype of stone but that doesnt matter here as long as that sealer works is what matters....

Quick question though...did you request the glossy look for your tiles..?...