REFURBISHMENT OF QUARRY/UNGLAZED TILES.

Lithofin - Technical Support Tel - 01962 732126 ; Fax - 01962 735373. TOWER 020 7485 7192

Renovation of Existing Unglazed Ceramic Tiles and Quarry Tiles

(i) Introduction

This category includes a huge selection of types of unglazed tile which may be patterned, coloured, or imprinted with anti-slid nodules or grooves. The age of these tiles will be as diverse as the colours, ranging from over a hundred years old to brand new. All are extremely hard-wearing and relatively stain resistant. Most refurbishment involves the removal of acrylic surface polishes or ingrained dirt. Stain removing products will only rarely be necessary.

It is debatable whether these tiles are best protected by an impregnator, a surface polish, or wax. It is worth noting that the use of an impregnator will usually require the least maintenance effort. Polish is not adequate as a sealant on these tiles, since it will degrade quickly without competent, regular maintenance.

(ii) Cleaning

The tiles are quite hardy and can be cleaned with the use of a slow speed scrubbing machine or wet-and-dry vac, or by hand.

The most commonly specified Lithofin Products are

·Lithofin Victorian Tile Restorer - good for removing general grime and ingrained dirt;

·Lithofin Wexa - to remove surface wax or acrylic polishes;

·Lithofin Stain-Away - for impregnated oil or grease stains.

Please follow the directions carefully in each case.

Rarely, removal of surface grime may reveal residues of the original grout and adhesive on the tile. Use Lithofin Cement-Awayto remove this material.

(iii) Protection

Lithofin suggest using an impregnator rather than a surface polish, to reduce the future maintenance and refurbishment workload. Lithofin KF Stain-Stop has been specially formulated to successfully impregnate the varying porosities of all common unglazed ceramic and quarry tiles. Its use is similar to that of Lithofin MN Stain-Stop, its equivalent for natural stone. The main aim is to reduce the porosity of the ceramic tile to nil. Lithofin do produce appropriate polishes, such as Lithofin KF Tile Polish. This may be applied on a clean, dry floor using a cloth or sponge. It is relatively hard-wearing and reasonably resistant to staining, but will require regular upkeep.

(iv) Maintenance

Due to the general smoothness and surface characteristics of these tiles, Lithofin Easy-Care is all you need to successfully maintain these floor surfaces, even if they have been polished with Lithofin KF Tile Polish. Coverage of Lithofin Easy-Care on these tiles will be 500 to 800 square metres or more per litre. For best coverage, use it in a cleaning machine and dilute it heavily with water (up to 1:200). It is therefore a very economical maintenance product for domestic flooring.

Please note : This section is constantly in development. As a result, 
modifications to the guidelines may be made at any time without 
prior notice. Any information contained herein or given by our employees 
is given in good faith and is based upon current knowledge and 
historic experience.