Okay I see your point there. It does seem to be imbedded. Can you use a screwdriver or something to make a tiny scratch near a radiator or somewhere it won't be too obvious? Could do with seeing how much it has penetrated.
A good cleaner should be able to get most of it out, it'll need dissolve it though so I don't think the soapy ones are going to work you're going to need some chemicals on that.
The most serious of chemicals is going to be the brick acid type stuff:
https://www.google.com/search?q=bri.....69i57j0l7.1319j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
But you'll need test it well first.
If they go dull that's not so bad as a sealer will bring them back up bright and clean, either shinny or matte you have the choice.
But you'll want to work up to that with lesser serious stuff.
Speak to
Wet Rooms | Shower Trays & Screens | Electric Underfloor Heating Systems - https://www.tilefixdirect.com/ tell them Dan sent you from the forum. Let us know what they recommend, and keep in touch with regards to what's working etc.
That's a really lovely floor though that so you'll be pleased your knees only hurt for a bit but the floor will last a lifetime.
😀
Hi Dan
I emailed them as suggested, they recommended approaching Lithofin directly.
They recommended :-
Lithofin KF Tile Restorer.
I also had a response from Tile Doctor:-
“Not easy to remove as the carpet underlay emits a gas which mixes
with the colour of the underlay and this leaves a mark after many many
years, the only way we can remove it is by opening up the pores of the
clay using a 50 grit diamond block then we apply some Acid Gel, leave
it to soak for 40 minutes,and then we scrub and rinse with water, a
wet vac would be very useful at this stage to remove the excess
liquid, rinse and vac again and then close the pores of the tiles with
a 100 grit diamond block, followed by a 200 red and a yellow 400,
rinse and scrub and vac again, leave to dry and then once fully dry
apply 2 coats of Tile Doctor Colour Grow sealer.”
I also contacted Original Style, they said:-
“It is quite difficult to identify what the residue might be from the photograph but if the tile feels smooth, we would recommend using LTP Power Stripper.
This may however be a tough job and there are specialist Victorian Floor Tile renovation firms which may be able to assist.”
Think I will try the Lithofin KF tile restorer in a corner to see how that goes.
Thanks again
April