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Sealing Saltillo Tiles on an existing floor
We've put together some easy to follow advice on sealing Saltillo tiles when using Aqua Mix Tile & Stone Products. Please note all information given on sealing Saltillo tiles is for guidance purposes only and all products should be used in accordance with their supplied instructions. Always test products in a small area before committing to sealing all of your Saltillo tiles.Step One: Water test Saltillo tiles
- Allow the droplets to remain for 5-10 minutes, then blot dry with absorbent towel.
- If the water marks stay darkened for a period of time in excess of 5 minutes, the existing sealer on the Saltillo tiles is ineffective, proceed to step three.
- If the water marks dry quickly and the tiles return to their normal colour within 2 - 3 minutes proceed to step two.
Step Two: Remove existing sealer from Saltillo tiles
- Sweep, mop or vacuum Saltillo tiles removing surface dirt and debris
- Apply product with mop or sponge
- Allow Aqua Mix Sealer and Coating Remover to dwell up to 1 hour without drying or until coating or residue softens. Do not allow Sealer & Coating Remover to dry on surface - if Remover starts to dry, add more to ensure surface is kept wet.
- Agitate with a scrub brush or scrub machine.
- Wipe up residue with clean, absorbent white cotton towels or sponge. A wet-dry vac may be used.
- Removal of thick coatings or residue may require several applications - repeat from start if coating is still on surface.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water.
Step Three: Clean Saltillo Tiles
- Sweep, vacuum, or wipe surface.
- Mix Heavy-Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner as follows:
- LIGHT SOIL BUILD-UP: Mix 1 part cleaner to 5 parts water. MODERATE SOIL BUILD-UP: Mix 1 part cleaner to 3 parts water. STRIPPING OR HEAVY SOIL BUILD-UP: Mix 1 part cleaner to 2 parts water.
- Apply solution to surface with mop or sponge.
- Allow to dwell 3 to 5 minutes for cleaning, or 5 to 10 minutes when stripping waxes or finishes.
- Agitate with synthetic mop, scrub brush, or scrub machine. Do not allow solution to dry on surface.
- Mop up dirty solution.
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
Step Four: Seal Saltillo Tiles
- Surface must be clean, dry, and free of existing sealers or coatings.
- Apply using a sponge, brush, paint pad, cotton towel, or sprayer. NOTE: Be sure any sealer that does not penetrate surface is removed from surface within 5 minutes of each application using absorbent paper or cotton towels.
- If 2 or more coats are applied, allow a minimum of 30 minutes drying time between coats.
- 2 hours after final coat conduct a test to determine if surface is completely sealed by applying water droplets to the surface. If water is absorbed, apply an additional coat. Wait 2 hours and repeat the test.
- Ready for surface traffic in 2 hours after final coat. Keep area dry for 12 hours. Achieves a full cure in 24 hours.
- Clean applicator tools with water after each use.
- Surface must be clean, dry, and free of existing sealers or coatings.
- Apply using a sponge, brush, paint pad, cotton towel, or sprayer. NOTE: Be sure any sealer that does not penetrate surface is polished dry off surface within 5 minutes of each application using absorbent paper or cotton towels. If non-polished surfaces are left shiny after application, surfaces must be wiped dry as this indicates surface residue remains.
- If 2 or more coats are applied, allow a minimum of 30 minutes drying time between coats. Remove surface residue after each application.
- Ready for surface traffic in 12 hours after final coat. Keep dry for 12 hours. Achieves full cure in 48 hours. Some highly porous surfaces may require an additional coat after full cure.
- Clean applicator tools with mineral spirits after each use.
- Apply using a sponge, brush, paint pad, cotton towel, or sprayer. NOTE: Be sure any sealer that does not penetrate surface is polished dry off surface within 5 minutes of each application using absorbent paper or cotton towels.
- If 2 or more coats are applied, allow a minimum of 30 minutes drying time between coats.
- After 2 hours conduct a test to determine if surface is completely sealed by applying water droplets to the surface. If water is absorbed, apply an additional coat. Wait 2 hours and repeat the test.
- Ready for surface traffic in 2 hours after final coat. Keep area dry for 12 hours. Achieves a full cure in 24 hours.
- Clean applicator tools with mineral spirits after each use.
About Saltillo
Saltillo tile is highly porous, and soaks in liquid easily. It is difficult to install as it absorbs thin set, grout, wax pencils, etc. Once placed, it stains and scuffs easily if not properly sealed and maintained with a quality sealer. Saltillo is probably a poor choice for outdoor installation in freeze-thaw climates. During installation the tiles should be handled carefully to avoid stains that can even occur from body oils on the installer's hands.