1st Job: When to seal porcelain?

[dandan]

Hello tilers from an enthusiastic DIYer and first time thread poster.
I've found a lot of useful info on this sight in my first few visits for which I am very grateful.
There is one subject on which I have been told some conflicting advice and was wondering if there was a consensus amongst you guys?
I have just bought a few meters of polished black porcelain tiles from topps tiles; and before I start I want to make sure I do the following jobs in the correct order:
1) Lay tiles
2) remove transit wax with tile and stone stripper
3) seal with porcelain protector/sealer
4) grout with BAL microflex grout
Can any of you experienced bods arrange this list in the correct order and/or add anything I don't know about?
Any help much appreciated.
Cheers
Dan

[nybor62]

it depends how clean you work, you could remove wax and seal before you tile if you want

[suave]

[Burnsy]

If you are not in a rush, then remove wax with your wax remover, rinse well with water, then dry. Then seal all the tiles (and edges) with your sealer. If you fix first before doing this, the sealer / wax remover and water can get inot the grout joints and this becomes a pain when grouting.

Fix tiles, then seal again. Wait a few hours (or over night) then grout. You could always seal again after the grout has cured properly (2-3 days) and then seal again - this will seal the grout at the same time.

Good luck and remember to upload some photos

[nybor62]

what type of sealer do you intend using water based or solvent.i ask this because i had this discussion recently, and i was informed that solvent based is better for porcelain, as porcelain is dense and solvent based will penetrate a lot easier, than a water base sealer

[Burnsy]

Yeah the solvent or water is the 'carrier' of the sealant. This carries the sealent into the tile. A solvent molecule (probably wrong term) is much smaller than a water equivialnt and can get into the dense material a lot easier. However, solvent is a lot more harmful so you got to be careful when using them.

[peckers]

This is how i would do it.

1. lay tiles keeping joints anf face clean as i went
2. remove transit wax(if there is any check on box or with supplier) some are and some aren't. drying them and buffing them as you go
3. if there not pre-sealed then apply sealer
4. grout
5. buff and polish
6. apply second coat off sealer

remember when putting on sealer do not let this puddle and dry you should apply and leave for 10-15 mins or so and then buff any excess off to a good polished shine.(adhere to manufacturers directions)

You can off course remove transit wax and apply first coat off sealer before you lay them if you wish

[Dave]

Sealing polished porcelains, is only to close the open pores from the polishing process..

Porcelain tiles are around 0.5% moisture absorption and are not like sealing stone tiles, where as you apply loads of coats.

You need to use a penetrating sealer that is suitable for use on polished porcelain as not all are.

All you are doing is closing the pores and sealer will not actually soak into them like it does in stone, it is these pores that grab the grout/ dirt etc and by sealing the pores it aids in maintenance cleaning of the tiles.

[dandan]

Thanks for such a prompt response chaps.

I think I might go for the cleaning / sealing pre laying. I can be a bit OCD when it comes to doing things slowly and neatly, and the idea of having the tiles neatly stacked with even their edges sealed fills me with joy. Plus I have read the horror stories about grouts bleeding into porcelain so seems like a good idea.

Thanks for the tip about using the right sealer - specific 'polished porcelain' solvent based sealant already purchased at horrifying expense!

Will let you know how I get on.....

[Dave]

Good look.. make sure you follow the instructions on the dwell time for the sealer and remove excess before it dries..

[neilyoung]

The solvent molecule is not smaller than the water molecule, water contains only 3 atoms 2 hydrogen and one Oxygen with a molecular weight of 18, solvent have a long carbon backbone structure (hydrocarbons carriers for sealants) with a long chain length, however the solvent has less surface tension and therefore wets out better than the water to carry the sealer into the pores of the tile, also solvent have a lower boiling point than water and will evaporate quicker. Always go for a solvent based sealer.

[Scott]

^^ Ok who let the boffin in?? ^^^

Welcome to the forum neil

[suave]

^^ Ok who let the boffin in?? ^^^

Welcome to the forum neil

:

[Burnsy]

The solvent molecule is not smaller than the water molecule, water contains only 3 atoms 2 hydrogen and one Oxygen with a molecular weight of 18, solvent have a long carbon backbone structure (hydrocarbons carriers for sealants) with a long chain length, however the solvent has less surface tension and therefore wets out better than the water to carry the sealer into the pores of the tile, also solvent have a lower boiling point than water and will evaporate quicker. Always go for a solvent based sealer.

Thats what I meant ..... in a roundabout less boffinlike, technical way

[Davesax]

Is there any circumstance where you wouldn't seal the edges to allow the grout to take properly?

[Dave]

I never seal the edges and have not had any probs at all..

[peckers]

I never seal the edges either you want the grout to take hold.