Removing Sealant from Slate
I am in the process of removing a hazy sealant from a slate floor. I am using a stripper with methylene chloride. After this should I wash the floor with a vinegar/water or ammonia/water solution prior to resealing?
How long should I wait after washing the floor before I can safely reseal.
Thank you for your help,
Anita
Hello Anita. First of all, methylene chloride is nasty stuff. I would never recommend anyone use it without the proper respirator and experience. Secondly, I would follow the washing directions as written on the stripper you are using. Lastly, I would wait 24 hours before re-examining the surface to see if you are happy with the results. Then, I would sponge it with Acetone and let dry again for 4 hours. Then, sweep it vigorously to remove all dust residues. After that, do whatever you choose as far as sealer goes according to the manufactures instructions. This was a tough one to comment on because I think you should get a professional to do this safely and properly the first time.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Tom,
We are beginning the process of renovating an old (1916) four room brick school building into rentable space (apartments, B & B, or offices). To maintain the “cool” factor, as much of the open room look and as many of the original items as possible will be retained and reused. These items are hardwood floors, decorative moldings, and large walls of glass bricks. This brings up a point regarding the chalkboard. As near as can be determined, the original material is approximately 7/16 to 1/2 inch thick slate. It was finished with a green paint type coating, but the coating can be peeled away to reveal a gray stone surface.
How can one determine if indeed this material is slate? Can this slate material be cut down for use as flooring tile in low traffic areas and shower stalls, fire place tiles, or bathroom wall tile? Are there special considerations to observe when handling and cutting large sections of slate? What areas do you recommend slate be used and what applications do other product offer a better choice?
Thank you.
Dave
January 27th, 2009 at 10:58 am
We had slate laid on our patio last January. They laid the slate, waited 24 hrs and sealed it. A week later the slate and grout started turning white. The company came back removed the sealer, washed the slate down very good, waited about a week, and then came back to seal it. It turned white again. We had acompany that supposely specializes in stone work and these kinds of problems come. they stripped the sealant with something different, waited two days and sealed again. two days later the slate was white again. Now they say we need to wait until hot weather, remove the sealant for several months to make sure the moisture is gone and seal again. By the way, our slate came from the same shipment as my sister’s slate for her porch and she has had no problem.
What do you suggest?
Thank you Cindy
May 16th, 2011 at 2:36 pm
Hello,
I am so frustrated with my new slate flooring (purchased from Lowes). I have sealed the floor twice with bulletproof matte sealer and my floor continues to turn white. I really want the wet look without it looking shiny. What can I do? pretty soon out toilets and cabinets are going in so I really need to work fast any advice will be much appreciated.
Charity
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REPLY
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Charity,
Slate is very tricky to seal. The mortal must be very dry. If you did not wait for the mortar to dry – could take weeks – then the moisture is causing white to appear (non-technically speaking). You need to wait, clean, wait, clean, wait, clean. Use a mild detergent – no bleech. Reseal it in a month or so.
Best,
Tom Cordova
December 24th, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Hi Tom,
I put a sealer on slate that I installed around fireplace. I now have a darker and wetter looking stone than I want. I see you recommend Acetone but was wondering about following above advice of just sponge and repeat or do you have other advice or process.
Thanks,
Nick