Handmade English Terracotta - Tile Advice

[Perry]

I never used waxs had much better products where i could use emulsion waxes on.

 

[jonnyc]

Would not use the stain stop on terracotta, discussion with Marc , was for a external terrace.

Lithofin modern method is for internal, and a nice light finish ,rather than a darker oil and wax. The ease of water based products and mostly the ease in which the client will maintain and top up the floor after you have installed. Used tons of this stuff restoration wise as clients wanted an easy to look after floor.

Generally, lay the tiles , leave to dry until all moisture released( 7-10 days for me, or until fully dry, yes I'm obsessed with drying times)
Saturate 1-2 coats of the impregnator before leaving overnight to cure.
Point in the terracotta , ideal not slurry ,unless a very closed pore- check grout release on two unlaid tiles you can impregnate- for testing
Once this grouting/ pointing is fully dry , depending on depth and width
Re impregnate one coat of the terracotta impreg.
After this has dried, sponge on 2-4 neat coats (maybe more if a really ruff hand made) of the terracotta sealant with a jumbo car sponge, dries in 40 min -1 hour so you will get these on in one day.
No buffing , self sheening
Clients maintain with easy care , and top up when required.
They can use 1/4 bucket of clean water, add a mug of the sealant, mop through leaving a slight wet look, leave to dry - job done , nice and easy.

bob you should take up tiling mate !

 

[Perry]

This Has one over coat in 12 years. Must admit its not a high foot traffic area. But is still used daily.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Do you still put an oil in first , or are the emulsions an all in one? Impregnator/ topical

 

[Old Mod]

This Has one over coat in 12 years. Must admit its not a high foot traffic area. But is still used daily.

Crikey, ain't laid them in years! Haha
Bring back good memories tho!

 

[Perry]

Can do ether Bob.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

If your customer wants ease of maintenance then terracotta is surely not the correct product to be considered.
The patina build up of a wax protected floor is one of the reasons this material should be chosen as a finished surface and the ongoing maintenance aspect is necessary to keep it clean and aesthetically appealing .
Terracotta was ruined as a product by too many unqualified installations leaving the customer with surfaces unfit for purpose.
We work in the fashion industry!
I've still got 'flares' and 'kipper' ties - they'll come back.