Help with new galaxy granite tiles that appear duller than others

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Hi, this is my first post so please be gentle.... We have just laid galaxy granite tiles in our bathroom and when we came downstairs this morning we noticed that a few tiles seemed duller than others. I really dont want to rip these up but if they can't be fixed then I suppose we will have to. Is their anyway of getting the shiny apprearance back to these tiles. They seemed fine when we put them down but its one of those things that you dont see when you are on top of them just when you stand back. I hope someone can help us ... thanks Dawn:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Ian]

Welcome along to TF Dawn, can you post a couple of pics? Also has the floor been grouted yet? and were all the tiles from the same batch?

 

[White Room]

Hi and welcome..

Were they sealed..

 

[Mike]

Hi and welcome..

Were they sealed..

that's what i thought too

 

[kilty55]

have you grouted and did you seal 1st?

welcome along too

 

[DHTiling]

Are we talking pure galaxy granite or agglomerate galaxy gulf stone type ?

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Hi,
Thanks for all of your replies, They are advertised as granite galaxy so presumed granite. They said they didnt need sealing. All were from the same batch. To be honest when the tiles are wet they are shiny its only when they dry. Looks like we will have to hammer them out and relay new ones. I telephoned the company where we bought them from but they were far from helpfull. Asked if my husband had laid them upside down derrrr they are grey on the other side so I dont think so. Said we should of noticed before we laid them. But its not until they are laying next to each other that you actually notice. I will from now on. This is the first room of 5 that need tiling so hence we wont be going back to that shop again and we will look at the tiles fully before cutting and laying. I'm just gutted that we didnt notice before but when they were cut and wet they look shiny. and they were the last couple of tiles laid so we just shut the door and went back in the next morning. Spoke to the company where we hired the tile cutter from and they suggested polishing it with a grinder and buffing pad. Is that the right thing to do.
Cheers Dawn .

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Hi, thanks all for replying. They seemed fine when we put them down. They said they were granite and didnt need sealing. I rang the company where we got them from this morning but they were not very helpfull. We definately put it down the right way. When the tile is wet its totally shiny its just when it dries it dries matt. I have been told to hire a buffer and that might bring the shine back. We have 2 more spare tiles to lay if all else fails. When you look directly down at the tiles you can see your face clearly in the reflection but when you look on the matt ones you see very very little. Someone also suggested to me to use some Lithofin polish cream and buffer it has anyone else ever used this cream?.
Thanks for all your help its very much appreciated.

Dawn

 

[DHTiling]

Hi Dawn.. who did you buy them from...?..

Can you post some pics please... don't take anything up etc till we can see what you do..

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Hi Dave

I will have to post pics tomorrow int he daylight at the ceiling light will reflect and that will show on the photos so I will do i tomorrow.

Cheers Dawn

 

[DHTiling]

Look forward to them. 🙂

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

I have bought some Lithofin polish today and tried it but to no avail. I have attached some pics (before the polish was on ) The polish has made a slight difference but not enough to live with. Looks like the job for my hubby tonight is smashing the two off and relaying them ...ohhhh hes not gonna be a happy bunny .... I had better put a nice tea out for him lol.... Thanks for all your help :smilewinkgrin:

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Dave... by the way we bought them from a company in Crook, Durham not far from you. We are in Northumberland. Not sure if I would use them again even though they were reasonable and were recommended.

 

[kilty55]

big difference in colour,when your smashing them out remove the grout first as it can sometimes transfer a chip or a crack to the adjacent tile if not removed

 

[Pebbs]

Is it me but that tile looks honed, not polished.

Pebbs

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I just had a look at the pics Lynn, I think you could be right. Something not right there.😳

 

[Ajax123]

They look like conglomerate to me??

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

Thanks Kilty will do.... They really did look the same and when its wet its totally shiny just like the others. So really have no choice than to try and knock the two out and see what happens. We only have 5 spare so fingers crossed. Thanks for all your help this is a fab forum. :hurray:

 

[DHTiling]

Dave... by the way we bought them from a company in Crook, Durham not far from you. We are in Northumberland. Not sure if I would use them again even though they were reasonable and were recommended.

I know exactly where you got them.. 🙁

They are not pure granite but composite Agglomerate resin based tiles..and that dull one is upside down.. or looks to be..

They do not need sealing but can dull if cleaned with wrong products.. I would just replace the effected tiles..

 

[LUVMELUVMYSHOES]

HI, we got the bad tiles out and replaced them.... it looks lovely now.... Thank you all for your help . I'm sure I will come back again we have more bathrooms to do but definately won't be using black galaxy tiles from now on. Cheers all ..... Dawn :hurray:

 

[DHTiling]

Thanks for letting us know how you got on..

wot no pics dawn,,🙂