I need some help with Travertine Wall tiles - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

t121anf · 02-04-2008

Hi, It seems from googling that our Tile seller gave me some duff advice and I need help sorting it out.

I have tiled our bathroom walls with 10x10cm travertine tiles, then grouted using a limestone grout, buffed the excess grout off and set about sealing.

Now the tiles still look dusty, when the sealer was applied they had a nice "wet look" to them, but once dry they seemed dull.

How can i achieve this wet look?

AS said i was given duff advice as i have NOT sealed the tiles prior to grouting, on reading various websites it seems a minimum of 1 coat should be applied. Live and learn.

I have not buffed the sealer, is this what may be required?

Thankfully I have only sealed a small area (about 9 tiles) which will be behind a cupboard.

The products used are
Utlra Wall Grout
Soverign Sealent

I am not a tiler, I have done this as DIY based on what the Tile shop instructed so if the products are of poor quality please blame "Jamies Tiles" up here in the north east not me lol.

Can anyone help me achieve the wet look i require? (or more importantly the good lady wife requires)

Thanks
Ian

t121anf · 02-04-2008

Thanks Kev, did a google and it seems Tile It All sell Aqua Mix products and since its on my way home I'll call in and have a look.

TilingLogistics · 02-04-2008

Great stuff

Make sure you follow the instructions and most of all be patient! A lot of people buy these and expect them to come out of the bottle and produce an instant result. Moreover, and more importantly any clean up solution you use make sure it is OK to use on acid sensitive stone or you will have bigger problems

Kev

t121anf · 10-04-2008

hi, i've tried some cleanup solution and i am still not happy. I have attached some pictures to show the tiles to see if i am worrying over nothing.

This picture shows 3 area.

Right is dry, cleaned with cleanup. (below border)
Right is dry, no cleanup used only water (above border)
Left is wet, cleaned with cleanup solution (below border)
Left is wet, clean with water (above border)

The tiles are white travertine, now am i worrying over nothing as when we bought the tiles, seeing a sealed one it was browny. this happens till the tiles dry then they go as the tiles on the right.

is what you see what we have bought or do i need to continue trying to clean them?

**sWe** · 10-04-2008

Can't see any pictures mate.

t121anf · 10-04-2008

try these links
http://public.fotki.com/ianfrost/hou...m/img0006.html
http://public.fotki.com/ianfrost/hou...m/img0014.html
http://public.fotki.com/ianfrost/hou...m/img0015.html

**365drills** · 10-04-2008

I can see the picture

TilingLogistics · 10-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by t121anf

hi, i've tried some cleanup solution and i am still not happy. I have attached some pictures to show the tiles to see if i am worrying over nothing.

This picture shows 3 area.

Right is dry, cleaned with cleanup. (below border)
Right is dry, no cleanup used only water (above border)
Left is wet, cleaned with cleanup solution (below border)
Left is wet, clean with water (above border)

The tiles are white travertine, now am i worrying over nothing as when we bought the tiles, seeing a sealed one it was browny. this happens till the tiles dry then they go as the tiles on the right.

is what you see what we have bought or do i need to continue trying to clean them?

Are you using an emusifying pad to agitate the cleanup once you have applied it? Are you allowing sufficient dwell times as per instructions?

Kev

t121anf · 10-04-2008

Hi Kev,

I am leaving the liquid on for about 3-5mins then using a scrubbing brush to agitate the material, prior to polishing with a cloth and rinsing with a lot of water.

Randomly i opted to use some sandpaper on a descrete tile and it went from the white you see on the right to a nicer brown colour (when dry). I think that the residue is just too thick and requires something more abrasive to remove it.

Any recommendations if that is the case?

Also is the browny colour correct for white travertine, my girlf and I have differing opinions on that colour they should be, as i feel just cos they are labelled white doesnt stop them being brown in colour.

Really need to find a solution as i am sick of having to go to her mum for a shower lol.

10-04-2008

try using lithofin cement away to clean the grout haze, and then use lithofin colour intensifier.......that will get you nearer the wet look you are after...

good luck!

Grace'sDad · 10-04-2008

I've used an orbital sander with a scothbrite pad to good effect.
(Cleaning up after some dodgy tiler!)
This creates loads of dust so wear a mask and seal the doors.
It also eats into the tile surface if you aren't careful but it does take you back to a clean surface, ready to go again.

t121anf · 10-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace'sDad

I've used an orbital sander with a scothbrite pad to good effect.
(Cleaning up after some dodgy tiler!)
This creates loads of dust so wear a mask and seal the doors.
It also eats into the tile surface if you aren't careful but it does take you back to a clean surface, ready to go again.

may i ask where you bought the scrothbrite pads from? would i be able to get them from say B&Q.

obviously the sander i can just hire, just not sure on where to get the pads if i need the, googling seems to find more for normal (rectangle) sanders rather than circular ones which i would presume is preferred.