Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

What do I use to make my Victorian hall tiles shine

36 replies

CuddyMum · 13/09/2013 17:38

Just that really - they look pretty dull at the moment. Is there a product that will make them less matt looking and that will last for a very long time? When I mop them they look great whilst they're just wet and then return to their dull state when dry. Any recommendations? :)

OP posts:
Herhonesty · 13/09/2013 17:44

I think they are probably supposed to be matt?

mummaemma · 14/09/2013 07:58

I have the same problem with. Looks great when u mop it then dries dull. I'm still trying to work out how I'm going to clean my thoroughly. Have saved this product to test when I'm ready. Not sure how it will look after.

item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?itemId=320930095470&index=17&nav=WATCHING&nid=83554576887

BrownSauceSandwich · 14/09/2013 09:42

Give them a bloody good clean with a suitable cleaner (you can get stuff specially for encaustic/quarry tiles), then WD40... SPARINGLY, then buff with a soft duster, or microfibre cloth.

Original poster
CuddyMum · 14/09/2013 10:35

Have just ordered this...
www.advancedsealingsolutions.co.uk/satin-500-ml.html
I liked the sound of it as you don't have to strip the product in order to reapply it. I was tempted to get it in gloss but I opted for satin. Hopefully it will arrive early next week, so I'll update - watch this space!

OP posts:
mummaemma · 14/09/2013 13:01

Cuddly - r u using it on Minton tiles or something similar. Would love to know how it turns out. Just been on their website and they also do colour enhancer ?? Similar? Can you take before and after pictures we can see. Would appreciate that. Thanks

Original poster
CuddyMum · 14/09/2013 13:24

Hi, yes I am and I will take before and after shots too. I hope to use the same product on the terracotta rustic type tile in the kitchen too, although I may need another bottle! :)

OP posts:
Original poster
CuddyMum · 14/09/2013 13:29

Aha - just seen your other post and commented and then realised it was you! Looks like their products ought to do the trick! Hope so.

OP posts:
ArtisanLentilWeaver · 14/09/2013 13:29

Wickes have a 'Stone Shine' product.

HootShoot · 14/09/2013 15:25

We just had ours professionally cleaned and sealed and although they look great it was expensive. They are supposed to be resealed every year so I'm interested to see if that works too!

mummaemma · 14/09/2013 16:30

Hootshoot - do you know what they cleaned it with?

HootShoot · 14/09/2013 19:35

I don't I'm afraid. It looked a lot like white pva glue when being applied and now it just looks like its had a lovely coat of varnish! He used it on both our patterned hallway and terracotta quarry kitchen floor.

greyvix · 14/09/2013 20:55

HootShoot, did you use the Tile Doctor?

HootShoot · 14/09/2013 22:04

Yes it was the tile doctor, the guy who did it was great.

soverylucky · 15/09/2013 14:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HootShoot · 15/09/2013 19:06

We actually had the both the patterned hallway and kitchen repaired as well as there were broken and missing tiles so it just under a weeks worth and cost 2k (ouch).

soverylucky · 15/09/2013 21:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CuddyMum · 17/09/2013 12:54

Damn! I missed the courier so I can't do the hall floor today! Will update hopefully on Thursday :)

OP posts:
mummaemma · 17/09/2013 22:31

ok good luck. How many coats will it need??

mummaemma · 17/09/2013 22:33

can we see b4 and after shots please Smile

Original poster
CuddyMum · 18/09/2013 16:04

Pics I will do and I'm hoping just the one coat :)

OP posts:
Original poster
CuddyMum · 18/09/2013 16:05

Pics I will do and I'm hoping just the one coat :)

OP posts:
Original poster
CuddyMum · 19/09/2013 14:52

Pics are up! Well, I'm as high as a kite now - the fumes are strong (but quite nice too)! Of course, I didn't ventilate but you know!

So, I brushed the floor and mopped it. Then applied the product with a brush (as per the instructions). Worked my way backwards to the stairs so I could join my coffee and dog in the upstairs study but then realised I had a hair appointment!!! So, had to tip toe over the hall through to the kitchen to get my car keys and bag and had to tip toe back to the front door. Doh!

And the verdict! Well, it was easy to apply but quite hard to see where I was applying it as it's such a dark day even with the lights on. I have sealed a number of black pug hairs into the floor even though I thought it was clean buy hey. It seems to have dried fairly quickly and does look like I've just mopped it and in fairness looks much better than it was. I am tempted to give it another coat another time but perhaps using a small roller.

I have also applied a coat to two terracotta tiles in the kitchen to see what it comes up like. If I go ahead with that product it might take a long time as the kitchen floor is quite large and goes through to the utility and downstairs loo!

OP posts:
Charlotte246 · 19/09/2013 16:04

can't see your pics, Cuddy!

Original poster
CuddyMum · 19/09/2013 16:39

Bugger!

OP posts:
Poledra · 19/09/2013 16:44

You need to make your profile public, Cuddy - I have been lurking with interest as my hearth tiles need some TLC!