lbarea

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas or can comment on what I'm about to do.

I have recently put down a (black) slate floor in my utility room. These were uncalibrated slate tiles. I spent ages cleaning them then applied HG Impregnator to one side (the side facing up). When they were laid, I used Lithofin Cement Away and then re-applied HG Impregnator. They looked great.

But then the painters came and now they are a mess (they've scarpered). Basically I need to remove the paint. I think there are two types of paint on them; water and oil based. Scrubbing with water and a green pan scrubber seems to remove it, however, I was thinking of using white spirit, then Lithofin Cement Away (although I don't logically see the point of this to be honest with you), then re-seal.

I'm worried that:

a) too much scubbing will ruin them somehow.
b) white spirit will dissolve HG Impregnator and cause the tiles to stain (since there'll be lots of dissolved paint on the tiles as I'm working).
c) How about a heat-gun? will that work? hmmm.

I guess that one redeeming fact is that they were sealed.

Any comments?

Thanks in advance and regards

Laurence.

lbarea

I must add that the paint on it is not heavy, like someone tipped a can of paint, rather, paint like if someone had got their shoes covered then walked on it together with a hazy film as if paint had dissolved with water and then dried. Thank again.

tiler tom

Could you not try some wire wool to remove the paint whilst it is still in its solid state. Try a less noticable area first. Then re seal.

whitebeam

That's the reason I don't lay floor tile's before decoration

Dave

I would persevere with the green scrubbing pads and sugar soap....when done clean again with clean water and leave to dry and see what you have....
This should really be down to the painters......to sort out..( cost wise ).....

Don,t use white spirit!!!!!!!!!!!!

grumpygrouter

Painters should be insured for this sort of damage. Get them back in!

Grumpy

Grumpy


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GazTech

if you are struggling..you could sand the slate back a layer until raw slate again, then seal...this would be a last resort...the paint is now dry and should remove with the seaalnt without staining the tile....Gaz

[B]"[I][COLOR=darkgreen]The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten[/COLOR][/I]"[/B]

enduro

You could try using a steam gun, that would work.

[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

lbarea

re: wire wool
I had thought of this before but I feared that it would scratch the surface of the slate. I may try it, as you suggest, on an inconspicous area. Otherwise it's a weekend of green pads for me. Good suggestion on the sugar soap.

Boosha

Exfoliation for the tile

Defy

Get a stanley blade and shave the paint off like you would a cut throat on your skin its not been absorbed by the slate its only on the surface. Any scratch marks are cured by puttin a little sealer on them

just trying to help

DeFy

reaper72

wORST CASE SCENARIO use HG remover,take off seal wash clean and reseal...last stop option if none of the above work