How To Apply A Top Coat Of Finishing Sealer To Saltillo Tile
Clay Imports
Last Update 1 ปีที่แล้ว
To ensure the longevity of your Saltillo tile finish and lessen the general maintenance as well as make cleaning easier, we highly recommend that upon completion of your installation you apply a top coat finishing sealer. The overall process of applying finishing sealer to your Saltillo tile is relatively fast, safe, and easy.
People often ask if I’m buying my Saltillo presealed, why should I add a coat of sealer after installation? Two reasons: Firstly, applying a top coat of sealer on your completed installation will provide added protection to your grout. Secondly, top coat sealers are different from the factory seal on your Saltillo tile.
Top coat sealers are designed to protect the finish of your Saltillo tile. Factory sealers are designed to protect the actual terracotta. The idea with top coat sealers is that if your factory seal is protected then your Saltillo tile will never require refinishing or stripping and resealing.
In theory top coat seals should be worn away by use and cleaning, and reapplied with ease, eternally protecting the factory finish sealer. Top coat sealers are typically referred to as maintenance sealers. Meaning that top coat sealers can be applied as routine maintenance as regularly as two to three times a year.
Before buying a top coat finishing seal make sure you purchase a product that will match the finish on your tile, so it doesn’t change the look too much. For example, if you’ve purchased matte finish presealed tile you would not want to use a high gloss finishing sealer as this would result in your tiles being shiny. Clay Imports offers two types of finishing sealers: High gloss and Satin finish. Both are low VOC and safe for indoor use.
In this example we are going to be applying a top coat finishing sealer to a gloss sealed Saltillo tile. So we are going to use Clay Import’s high gloss finishing sealer.
Instructions:
Step 1: Ensure that the adhesives and grouts used to install your Saltillo tile are completely dry. Installations can take up to three days to fully cure. Applying sealer over moisture can result in white hazy efflorescence on the surface of the tile and grout.
Step 2: Pour your finishing sealer into a paint tray.
Step 3: Apply a thin coat of finishing sealer to the surface of your tile with either a chemical grade brush, roller, or sponge. Apply in small sections no larger than 10 square feet at a time.
Step 4: With a clean non-fibrous rag wipe away any sealer buildup from the surface of the tile or puddling in the grout joints. Leaving sealer build up or puddling can result in an uneven sheen and streaks.
Step 5: Allow between two and four hours for the first coat of finishing sealer to dry.
Step 6: Apply one, two or three coats to your Saltillo tile. Be aware that every coat you apply should be applied thinner than the previous coat.
Following these steps for applying a top coat finishing seal to your Saltillo tile are a relatively small investment compared to the long term benefits.