Saltillo
Tiles ~
"How To" Stain, Seal, Coat and Maintain
By using
my products, tools and techniques you will achieve professional
results. I guarantee it!"- Charlotte
Why
does Charlotte recommend pre-sealed tiles?
The advantage of purchasing pre-sealed Custom Saltillo tiles
is that they are ready for installation. Period! No muss no
fuss!
The
following is directions for the "how to" apply Charlotte's Stains,
Charlotte's Saltillo Tile Sealer and Charlotte's Floor Polish
to a new Saltillo Tile installation. Also
provided are maintenance tips for the care of your new or existing
Saltillo Tile installation.
If you
have purchase Custom Saltillo Tiles in their raw form, please
be advised that all porous tiles should be pre-sealed before
the are grouted to prevent the tiles from being stained from
the grout and mortar residue. When installing raw tiles make
sure that you remove any mortar you get on the tiles immediately.
When installing raw tiles, make sure that your hands are kept
cleaned so that you do not stain them. [They will literally
absorb the oils from your body!]
The
following is the procedure to clean stain and seal Saltillo
Tiles.
Install tile. New tile installations need to cure for a minimum
of 24 hours before applying stain and or sealing. You can also
stain and pre-seal the tiles before they are installed if you
have the space to do this.
PREPARATION
OF YOUR SALTILLO TILES:
Vacuum the tiles well. Wash the tiles well, by hand, using
a large yellow tile sponge and lots of fresh water, making sure
to remove all clay residues from the surface of your Saltillo
Tiles. The surface of your Saltillo tile must be clean and free
of all residues before starting your staining and or sealing
process. Start sealing your tiles as stated below or begin your
staining process now.
STAINING:
Stain may be used undiluted if a darker stain is desired or
diluted with water (make a recipe) for a lighter, more translucent
stain, depending on the look you are trying to achieve. Select
a small, manageable area of 4 to 6 sq.ft. and apply the stain
using a dense sponge from a shallow dish. Charlotte uses the
large yellow tile sponges cut into pieces to fit her hand. For
best results, apply stain to individual tiles by hand. Rub stain
into the tile in a left to right motion. Apply at least two
coats of stain. It is better to apply two coats of stain to
achieve the look you are want then trying to achieve it in one.
Stir stain often so as not to let the pigment drop to the bottom
of the pan. If too much stain is applied or streaking occurs,
immediately rework the area with a clean wet sponge and simply
rub out the area using small amounts of water. Allow each coat
to cure a minimum of 1 hour between coats. Allow stain to cure
a minimum of 24 hours before sealing.
SEALING:
If needed, vacuum the floor again. Apply Charlotte's Saltillo
Tile Sealer, one coat at a time, with a minimum of two to three
coats (depending on the porosity of the tile) allowing each
coat to cure before applying another. Make sure that you do
not allow air bubbles to form on the surface of the tiles. If
you get air bubbles lightly feather them out using a damp hand
towel or a damp lint free mop head, before they dry on the surface
of the tile. Allow the sealer to cure for 24 hours before grouting.
If needed, vacuum the floor between each coat.
Charlotte's
Saltillo Tile Sealer is a clear, durable, high-gloss, water-based
sealer, that provides a long lasting protective coating that
protects the tile and grout from oil, grease and food stains
when properly applied. This product has been specially formulated
for use on all types of Mexican clay tiles such as Saltillo,
Tecate, Lincoln Pavers and Slate. This product allows moisture
vapor transmission and is not affected by ultraviolet light.
May be used for both interior and exterior applications.
COVERAGE:
Approximately 80 to 300 square feet per gallon depending upon
type of tile, surface texture, porosity and method of application.
The floor
is now ready for grouting. Charlotte recommend grout joints
be no large than 1/2 to 3/4 inch. Charlotte also recommends
that you install a grout that compliments the color of your
tile. Allow grout to cure for a minimum of 72 hours or more
depending on the temperature and humidity.
Once the
grout is cured you then seal the grout and the tile with at
least two more coats of Charlotte's Saltillo Tile Sealer, or
as Charlotte says, "as many coats as need" to seal the tile
and grout. Charlotte soaks the grout joints well with sealer
then lightly goes over the surface of the tiles. The tile is
sealed when the sealer repels itself. Allow sealer to cure 24
hours.
FLOOR
POLISH:
If needed vacuum the floor. Charlotte then recommends that you
apply four coats of Charlotte's Floor Polish, vacuuming between
each coat if needed. Charlotte's Floor Polish protects and prolongs
the life of our sealer and is the product you use to maintain.
Charlotte's Floor Polish is a clear durable floor finish coating
that resists black scuffmarks and when properly applied leaves
a beautiful high-sheen finish. This product protects and prolongs
the life of your sealer when used over sealed Saltillo Tiles,
adobe clay tiles, slate, sealed unpolished natural stone and
quarry tile. May also be used on all resilient vinyl and linoleum
floors.
COVERAGE:
Approximately 100 to 500 square feet per gallon depending upon
type of tile, surface texture, porosity and method of application.
Recommended for interior application only.
MAGIC
SLIDERS:
Tile
floors also need protection from furniture scrapes and scratches.
Charlotte highly recommends applying Magic Sliders to all furniture,
as they move heavy furniture as easily as if it had wheels.
Magic Sliders come in different sizes and are easy to install
on your furniture.
REMEMBER:
The advantage of purchasing pre-sealed Custom Saltillo
tiles is that they are ready for installation. If you desire
a matte finish I recommend that you use Charlotte's Impregnator
Sealer. This below-the-surface sealer is a specially formulated,
environmentally safe, non-toxic, water-based product that provides
a long-lasting protective matte finish against oil, grease and
food stains. May be used on limestone, sandstone, flagstone,
slate, marble, granite, quarry tile, grout, Saltillo, Tecate
and Terra Cotta Pavers. This product allows moisture vapor transmission
and is not affected by ultraviolet light. May be used for both
interior and exterior applications.
COVERAGE: Approximately 80 to 300 square feet per gallon
depending upon type of tile, surface texture, porosity and method
of application.
MAINTENANCE:
Now that you have a beautiful finished job the most important
question is "How am I going to take of it"? This where I have
been having fun for over 22 years. I love to show people how
to clean and maintain all surfaces of their home and to keep
everything clean and looking as beautiful as the day it was
installed. Really!
" You should
be able to walk around your house in white sox and they stay
white".
Charlotte MacIlraith
Maintain
Saltillo Tiles or any floor by using Charlotte's All Surface
Cleaner.
This pleasant lemon-fragrant product was formulated for everyday
cleaning. This product deodorizes and cleans all in one easy
step. It's safe to use on tile, grout, marble, granite, slate,
limestone, sandstone, flagstone, porcelain, Formica, and linoleum.
You will
need to re-apply Charlotte's Floor Polish periodically in traffic
areas depending on surface traffic.
When cleaning
an existing floor are you removing dirt or a wax build-up? Always
use a product that will remove what product is on the surface
of the tile that you are going to clean. For floors that need
heavy duty cleaning before they can be sealed with floor polished
Charlotte recommends that you use Charlotte's Degrease-IT, green
scrub pads and brass tipped brushes for the grout joints. Rinse
well.
For
wax build-up Charlotte recommends Charlotte's Heavy Duty Wax
Stripper.
Heavy
Duty Wax Stripper is a concentrated, heavy duty, non-ammoniated
stripper, specifically designed to remove heavy accumulations
of waxes and floor finishes. This product was formulated to
be used on all hard floor surfaces and can handle the toughest
job. It can be used on all types of ceramic tile, quarry tile,
sealed clay tile like Saltillo Tiles, resilient, vinyl and linoleum
flooring.
