any reason why I can't preseal porcelan tiles before laying?

[Andy Allen]

never used the topps one, but the b and q one ain't that good, stains very easy, thats why they recommend sealing b4 fixing (or they did last time i used them).

 

[2db]

Hi Andy,

Yes, I'd read that quick a bit about the B&Q ones ... a large volume of tescos clubcard vouchers means SHMBO preferably gets to choose from topps tiles (last I was told ... if we can't have the ivory porcelain ones, we've got to have exactly the same colour in a different type of tile), so experimentation with polished porcelain ...

I currently have a few experiments going on with the Topps tiles polished porcelain

1. (Using B&Q's wax remover) ... wax removed,

2. ... "UN"sealed, I have added samples of tumeric powder, chilli powder, soy sauce, curry paste, shoe polish and red and black food dyes as an experiment ... results in 1/2hr 🙂 ... same experiment on the sealed side too tomorrow once the sealant has had time to dry.

3. also tried a porosity test - after 1hr water droplet not changed, so presumption is that they're quite a low porosity. (which I presume means that a) that that's good, or b) I haven't removed the wax sealant well enough)

 

[Andy Allen]

sounds like youv'e turn your kitchen into a laboratory :lol:, are you wareing a white coat to.

all i would be worried about is the adhesive staining the tile b4 laying.

 

[2db]

dammit ... that's the one thing I didn't think of ... goes to show my background is in science, not tiling 🙂

 

[Time's Ran Out]

We read about the problems of BQ 600x600mm ivory porcelain tiles prior to fixing 60sq metres last year, and I provided the information to the customer.
At under £11 per metre he felt it was worth the risk of buying them.
We had 1 chipped corner from the box (well packaged) and the surface and edges were true and unwaxed (they had a film between each tile) - an exceptional product for the price.
The instructions on the packaging stressed the limitations of use and 6 months later we believe the customer is still delighted with the result.
Use a white flexible fast set adhesive and non stain light coloured grout and test for ingress on the tile sides.
On completion make sure the surface is clean, and absolutely dry, before sealing.
Good Luck.

 

[doug boardley]

it's not the OP that's laying the tiles John, OP is just trying to speed up the job completion by sealing tiles prior to tiler installing them.

 

[2db]

thanks to all the posts. I've been experimenting tonight with the topps polished porcelain tiles.

I have no intentions of doing the installation myself (I wouldn't trust anyone non-qualified to do my job, so fully intend to leave the tiling to the professionals to do a proper job!) - just trying to make sure SHMBO hasn't chosen a problematic tile that will cause grief from day one.

Have to say, having read all the issues about polished porcelain, I have been pleasantly surprised with the results (based on a few hours experimentation only). Samples of curry paste, chilli, tumeric, red wine, soy sauce, food colourings, shoe polish and grey grouting all seem to have wiped off fine having left the products on the tiles (both sealed and unsealed) for 30 minutes. I have no idea if £25sqm is cheap or not for these types of tiles (I know B&Q are cheaper, and reading this forum, I see why), but I can't complain so far with the experimentation.

It's a different matter though with the QEP wax remover that I purchased from B&Q on the way home. Still a thin film of wax left even after using neat, needing white spirit to finish off the job to get the tiles ready for sealing.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Doug - my advice was to use a white fast set flexible adhesive and light coloured grout - and to test for staining on the edges - if the OP is concerned with staining I was only trying to point out a further pitfall if his tiler decided to use a grey adhesive/grout.

 

[doug boardley]

thanks to all the posts. I've been experimenting tonight with the topps polished porcelain tiles.

I have no intentions of doing the installation myself (I wouldn't trust anyone non-qualified to do my job, so fully intend to leave the tiling to the professionals to do a proper job!) - just trying to make sure SHMBO hasn't chosen a problematic tile that will cause grief from day one.

Have to say, having read all the issues about polished porcelain, I have been pleasantly surprised with the results (based on a few hours experimentation only). Samples of curry paste, chilli, tumeric, red wine, soy sauce, food colourings, shoe polish and grey grouting all seem to have wiped off fine having left the products on the tiles (both sealed and unsealed) for 30 minutes. I have no idea if £25sqm is cheap or not for these types of tiles (I know B&Q are cheaper, and reading this forum, I see why), but I can't complain so far with the experimentation.

It's a different matter though with the QEP wax remover that I purchased from B&Q on the way home. Still a thin film of wax left even after using neat, needing white spirit to finish off the job to get the tiles ready for sealing.

If you have a Tile Giant store near you, try LTP Grimex.