lithofin FZ not suitable

[moletteuk]

I'm trying to seal some porcelain tiles. I've cleaned them off with soapy water, and then wiped them over with meths. I've waited 24 hours for everything to evaporate off and now I'm applying lithofin impregnator FZ W, but it's just sitting on the surface.

I just phoned the lithofin technical advice line and she told me that if it sits on the surface it means their poduct isn't suitable for my tiles, even though it says on the bottle suitable for all porcelain tiles. That was it, no further advice.

What do I do please? Is there another product I can try?

BTW the tiles bead up water even after I cleaned them, but they are from Homebase with no phone number to try to find out what is on the tiles from the polishing.

[Sir Ramic]

LTP Online

[moletteuk]

Will a change of product definitely fix the problem?

[Sir Ramic]

Have you followed the porosity test from that link ?
Sounds as if you dont need to seal them.

[diamondtiling]

Are they covered in wax? who recommended using meths?

[moletteuk]

thanks, I've just put some water on and measured the little puddle, I'll check it again in a hour. I'm also doing a turmeric (curry colour) and purple bubble bath test to see if they leave a stain. The turmeric mixed with oil has been on for ten minutes and hasn't left a mark at all so far.

I've also phoned homebase and contacted the manufacturer in Turkey, but their office is closed until next week.

[moletteuk]

Really can't tell about the wax, they were shiny out of the box. I just tried some different cleaners on scrap of tile, and the meths seemed to slightly lift some black residue, I think I got the meths suggestion from on here.

[diamondtiling]

Not all porcelain needs to be sealed, what grade are they and can you post a picture?

[Scott]

I use a normal pencil on lighter ones. Draw a line (on an offcut) then try and clean it off, if it comes off clean i dont seal them.

[moletteuk]

I actually got an email back from the manufacturer saying they were already sealed, so problem sorted.

They passed my turmeric test and marker pen test, as advised by LTP. Impressed by homebase(!), Intervoltd tiles in Turkey, and LTP, unimpressed by Lithofin.

Thanks very much for replies

[doug boardley]

were they through bodied polished porc or glazed porc?

[moletteuk]

polished.