Restoring Floor Tiles

The red brick tiles in the hallway of my apartment building were once stained or sealed, and now look terrible where it has worn off in patches. Can any one advise how best to remove the sealant? I’m sure there are products available that will do this but I’m not sure which would be best Thank you.

mouster728

in Flooring 10 years and 8 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

mouster728 | 10 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4855 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4872 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181989"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "mouster728"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BPW7iNcrUnTOheeP9Iz8V1S/s/16tO/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "mouster728"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "Ja43024@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:46:19"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "mouster728"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181989)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

OP here – Thanks everyone. Really useful advice. I’ll post a photo of the floor once it’s all beautiful again.

resident2 | 10 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4850 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4863 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "181002"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYKCrEpDU34.3RJghRPk8/Xp1XpCve/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "Jamanda1255@Yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:07:33"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "resident2"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(181002)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It looks like it maybe old wax? Try a good wax remover.

catbk | 10 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4872 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4866 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "180043"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "catbk"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BtrsXtoiQwB0Rwql0qwgpXLakL7fAV0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "catbk"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "marsvi0let@me.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/stonergut/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:28"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "catbk"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(180043)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Don’t discount the power of water and an abrasive. Start with a bucket of hot water and try one of those micro-abrasive pads (like the white Mr. Clean pads). Since it looks like simply walking on it has flaked it up already, I bet you won’t have too much trouble. To escalate, try hot water with some dishwasher (not dishwashing) detergent. You could use TSP or MEX with hot water. Or just steam and a Mr. Clean pad.

rh | 10 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4855 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4856 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "3878"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BL48JCuNvr9CIMtn9XLzqcR6qYGkGS1"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "info@reclaimedhome.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "https:www.reclaimedhome.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:12:47"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(2) "rh"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(3878)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Maybe Peel Away? The question mark means a suggestion, not advice since I don’t have experience with this one.

greenmountain | 10 years and 8 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4850 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4857 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "12939"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BnKovbg4FcvougATD6kVp72yuOJzcG."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "aaron@greenmountain.nyc"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "http://greenmountain.nyc"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:15:45"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "greenmountain"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(12939)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

You have to experiment on a small section first. Organic solvents are bad to breath or touch. Wear chemical resistant gloves and ventilate the area. Use a carbon cartridge mask. Start with alcohol and white cotton rags. If that doesn’t work, try paint thinner, then acetone then paint stripper – each a bit more toxic and more likely to damage adjacent surfaces, clothing etc. You appear to have quarry tiles, which are pigmented all the way through, not glazed. Some of the coating may soak in with the solvent, depending on how dense or porous the tile. If you still have a problem, ask again. When you get it clean, apply penetrant. Often called “sealer” on the bottle, it does not prevent liquid from entering. But, you have more time to wipe up spills, before they react with grout or bond with ceramic particles. Buy the expensive water borne penetrant for tile and stone, not organic solvent with silicone. Follow directions on the label.