Stripped and resealed

Bernard Otto of Sasolburg writes I’m renovating my small kitchen and I want to remove the sealant from the cement tiles; it has started to yellow in places and needs to be replaced. How do I go about it?

Robert Scott of Tile & Floor Care

Chemicals replies Tile & Floor Care Sealer Stripper is a very powerful solvent-based product designed to remove most types of sealers and paints from floors, including linseed oil and urethanes. Sealer Stripper is water-soluble and will also remove most types of stains from the floor. Make sure the entire floor is dry before applying Sealer Stripper and mask off any adjacent surfaces. After testing for the desired result in an inconspicuous area, apply the stripper using a paintbrush or sheepskin applicator. Allow 3–5 minutes for the solution to break down the sealant, but don’t allow the solution to dry out. Use a scrubbing pad with a solution of Tile & Floor Care Easy Clean and water to remove residues. Add more clean water as you continue to scrub. Mop up and rinse the floor and allow the surface to dry before repeating the process if necessary.

To check if the floor has been completely stripped, wipe it with a damp cloth and inspect for uniformity. There should be no light and dark patches on the tiles – this would be evidence of sealer residues.

It’s important to reseal your cement tiles, as unprotected tiles are likely to be abraded. You can use a surface sealer like Top Seal, which protects the tile from the top, or apply a penetrating sealer like Natural Stone Sealer Matt which will bond and strengthen the tile.

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