can i make polished porcelain matt?

[Louie2010]

Calling all experts...

Made the fatal mistake of getting B&Q polished porcelain tiles laid in my kitchen. They were not sealed at the time, and are a total nightmare to keep clean. I realise i could get a heavy duty cleaner then seal myself, but to be honest I think they are just so impractical in a heavy footfall area (back door, wee boy and a cat with mucky paws = constant manky floor).

So... I was wondering if there was anything I could do to them to un-polish them?! Is there anything I could apply to make them matt? Its either that or we lay rubber/vinyl ontop, which I really don't want to do.

.. worst thing is we had to get the back door lifted an inch to get them fitted. Hubby not exactly chuffed!

Any advice much appreciated.

Cheers.

[paul flight]

this is a new one have you got any off cutts or spare tiles that you can try applying products to.?

[Dave]

Yes.. you can put a honed finish on them... but you will be better getting someone in to do it..

[suave]

[Louie2010]

this is a new one have you got any off cutts or spare tiles that you can try applying products to.?

Yip we do have some spare lurking around the garage... what would you suggest we experiment with?

Yes.. you can put a honed finish on them... but you will be better getting someone in to do it..

What is a honed finish? and what is used to achieve it? We are pretty handy, so could try it ourselves. If we were going to cover it up anyways, nothing lost!

[Dave]

Around a 300 to 400 grit diamond pads on a hand polisher or floor polisher and then this will give the honed matt look..

Not easy work as you need to start in low grit and then work tot he 300 to 400 grit and leave no swirl marks..

You can use wet and dry but very tedious hard work on a floor..

[paul flight]

try doing a few spare ones first befor tacking that floor you may feel that it is to much for you !!

[Dave]

Good idea paul.. not an easy task for a new comer is it..

[Louie2010]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm by no means work-shy, but it is sounding a bit too complicated (and dusty!) for my unskilled hands .

I know these tiles are rubbish, but i either gotta live with them or cover them up. In your opinion, is it worth me going down the heavy duty cleaner and sealing route or cutting my losses? Even if I covered it with rubber, i'm going to have to fill in the grout so not exactly a quick-fix!

Here was me thinking I could buy some magic liquid from B&Q that would 'mattify' my tiles... I can dream I suppose .

Ta.

[enduro]

Shouldn't be dusty as you use water, you could try a Honing powder on a piece of tile.

[Dave]

Or get Enduro ( andrew ) above to come and do it for you..

Shame to waste a nice tiled floor.

[Louie2010]

Haha, good idea. Think it might be a bit far though.. im in Paisley! (just outside Glasgow). If I did get someone into do the job for me, would it be a tiler? How much should I expect to pay? Know anyone I can bother?

Thanks again for all your input. Been moaning about the tiles for months and really need to get something done!

[Dave]

Glasgow.. ok leave it with me and i'll find someone....maybe..

[Louie2010]

Magic, cheers!

Would ask the guy who fitted them, but he didn't say anything bout sealing them so not sure I want to.

[Dave]

we have a quite a few top guys in your area.. i will get one to contact you direct.

[SandyFloor]

I've polished stone up in the past, usually grinding and polishing bull noses onto porcelain tiles for steps. I'm sure if you find someone with an orbital sander and a set of diamond polishing discs it wouldn't take too long to bring them down to a matt finish.

[SandyFloor]

Just thought......anyone involved with stone/granite worktops would be well equipped to do this.

[Louie2010]

Thanks for the advice, hopefully get it sorted instead of moaning about it now!