[Kev Martin]

The traditional Method of cleaning Travertine and Limestone iis to use a stripper and then a high alkaline cleaner.

A quicker and more efficient way to clean Travertine and Limestone Flooring and Grout is to use a NokDown Honing Powder.

Aqua Mix used to produce this product but the costs of it were horrendous and it was only available in one grit which was around 400 Grit.
It is now available as 60, 100, 220, 320, 400 & 500 Grit and the prices are a lot more reasonable.

So how does it work?

The powder works by chemically abrading (honing) a few microns off the surface of the stone. This essentially is like peeling the top layer of skin off the floor.
The advantage is not only does it strip the dirt it will also strip any sealers or waxes off the surface at the same time.
Provided you use the correct grade brush and grit of powder it will also bring the grout up immaculate as well.
For really dirty floors you can boost the action of the powder by using Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner in your tank.

Method

1. You pre wet the floor and sprinkle a little of the powder on.
2..Then work the powder in using a slow speed rotary scrubber fitted with a soft to medium brush. (This allows the powder to be worked into the grout joints as well).
3. Once you are satisfied vacuum the dirty solution up using a wet vac.
4. Rinse and wet vac again.

Now allow to dry and seal with an appropriate sealer preferably a Water based Impregnating sealer.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd


--------------------
"The Natural Stone Restoration Specialists"
Tel: 0121 705 5333

[seamus campbell]

Hi Kevin

Was wondering if you could give me a bit of advice. My kitchen floor at home is what we call over here in ireland Stone Carpet its a seamless flooring of tiny stones in a resin laid with a trowel and then a sealer applied over that. i need to clean it, should i just prespay with  (?) then scrubb with rotary and take up slurry and rinse with extractor. would appreciate help and what could i reseal it with.

Thanks Seamus

[Rick Ward]

Kev I got offered a job doing just what you have described but was unsure how to price it so passed it up, sounds simple enough but are there any possible pitfalls, I'm sure there are some. Furthermore how do you decide on the grade of grit , ie is 100 suitable for a reasonable maintenance?

[Kev Martin]

Hi Kevin

Was wondering if you could give me a bit of advice. My kitchen floor at home is what we call over here in ireland Stone Carpet its a seamless flooring of tiny stones in a resin laid with a trowel and then a sealer applied over that. i need to clean it, should i just prespay with  (?) then scrubb with rotary and take up slurry and rinse with extractor. would appreciate help and what could i reseal it with.

Thanks Seamus

Try and e mail me some pictures please to tilinglogistics@hotmail.com

Kev Martin
Marble Life ltd

[Kev Martin]

Kev I got offered a job doing just what you have described but was unsure how to price it so passed it up, sounds simple enough but are there any possible pitfalls, I'm sure there are some. Furthermore how do you decide on the grade of grit , ie is 100 suitable for a reasonable maintenance?

Rick

There are many pitfalls the most important being you need to mask off correctly because if the honing powder flicks against any surface it will abrade that as well.  With regards to grit I always advise a test area first starting with the finest grit and working down until the process works.  So ordinarily we start with 400 or 500 grit and then go progressively lower.  Always conduct the test area on the dirtiest part of the floor.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd

[Jamie Pearson]

The traditional Method of cleaning Travertine and Limestone iis to use a stripper and then a high alkaline cleaner.

A quicker and more efficient way to clean Travertine and Limestone Flooring and Grout is to use a NokDown Honing Powder.

Aqua Mix used to produce this product but the costs of it were horrendous and it was only available in one grit which was around 400 Grit.
It is now available as 60, 100, 220, 320, 400 & 500 Grit and the prices are a lot more reasonable.

So how does it work?

The powder works by chemically abrading (honing) a few microns off the surface of the stone. This essentially is like peeling the top layer of skin off the floor.
The advantage is not only does it strip the dirt it will also strip any sealers or waxes off the surface at the same time.
Provided you use the correct grade brush and grit of powder it will also bring the grout up immaculate as well.
For really dirty floors you can boost the action of the powder by using Aqua Mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner in your tank.

Method

1. You pre wet the floor and sprinkle a little of the powder on.
2..Then work the powder in using a slow speed rotary scrubber fitted with a soft to medium brush. (This allows the powder to be worked into the grout joints as well).
3. Once you are satisfied vacuum the dirty solution up using a wet vac.
4. Rinse and wet vac again.

Now allow to dry and seal with an appropriate sealer preferably a Water based Impregnating sealer.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd


--------------------
"The Natural Stone Restoration Specialists"
Tel: 0121 705 5333

Got guys out doing exactly this today with some NokDown on an unfilled Travertine. 2 dogs, 4 kids, french doors, muddy garden.

Hadnt thought of the soft brush though

Will report back with some pictures (if they remember to take em)

[Jamie Pearson]

Guys were well impressed with the brush trick when I called them onsite to start using it instead of pads.

Heres the proof.

[jim mca]

Kev

Are you any closer to running a 2 day cource

Jim

[david_m]

Hi all

I have used this way to clean floors befor but it will only really work well on honed lime stone as it is soft and the powder will have enough abbrasie action to cut through it

on tumbled stone stone such as in the photo it is not as succsefull as you dont get the full abbrisive action that you need to get the grout and the holes in the stone cleaned.,  even with a soft brush. in the last photo still dirty grout.

if cleaning  tumbled  stone i would always use a tynex brush under a very heavy machine 50 kilos min
this will clean the grout and the hole in the stone faster and more effectively
As the tynex brush is abrisive it will leave a even hone on the floor as well depending on the floor in question.

after this buff with twister, cobera , our klindex soft diamond pad  to bring about the level hone you wish the floor to be and seal with antique stone wax, for me faber is always my choice

it may help to use honeing powder along with the tynex brush in some situations

 thanks davy

[Jamie Pearson]

It as a tynex that was used. They didnt have the softer brush with them.

Its just that particular picture. Maybe the light. In the others the grout is all okay. Like picture 2.

They used a Wirbel with 3 weights so easily 50kg and KGS Flexis pads to v.fine.

Water based impreg. to finish.

[Kev Martin]

Hi all

I have used this way to clean floors befor but it will only really work well on honed lime stone as it is soft and the powder will have enough abbrasie action to cut through it

on tumbled stone stone such as in the photo it is not as succsefull as you dont get the full abbrisive action that you need to get the grout and the holes in the stone cleaned.,  even with a soft brush. in the last photo still dirty grout.

if cleaning  tumbled  stone i would always use a tynex brush under a very heavy machine 50 kilos min
this will clean the grout and the hole in the stone faster and more effectively
As the tynex brush is abrisive it will leave a even hone on the floor as well depending on the floor in question.

after this buff with twister, cobera , our klindex soft diamond pad  to bring about the level hone you wish the floor to be and seal with antique stone wax, for me faber is always my choice

it may help to use honeing powder along with the tynex brush in some situations

 thanks davy

Davy

Long time no speak!  How's business over there? 

The key is the brush!  It has to be soft to medium bristle.  The reason Tynex works is because it is soft to medium but Nylon works better than Tynex or Winnex because whilst being the same stiffness it is not so aggressive.

(For those who were not aware Tynex and Winnex are Brand names for artificial wire brushes).

When the stone is tumbled making sure the stone is pre wet and using Aqua mix Heavy Duty Tile & Grout Cleaner or similar pH14 Alkaline cleaner will help.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd

[Kev Martin]

Kev

Are you any closer to running a 2 day cource

Jim

Jim

Any minute now mate just finalising the Venue.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd

[Rick Ward]

 kev- or does anyone  know where to buy a set of nylon  brushes for a siemex (three haed rotating system)

[Jamie Pearson]

I gave away2 new sets on here a month ago.

[Jamie Pearson]

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Itsokforyou-Supplies/Cimex-Truvox-Brushes-/_i.html?_fsub=10990604

[Rick Ward]

Damn, Damn, Damn- I haven't opened the link yet but am guessing they're expensive.
Thanks for the link.
What do you think of them? this old thing is heavy as hell but seems ok, so serves a purpose.

[Jamie Pearson]

I have 4 of them. One of which has been re-engineered for planetary grinding/polishing,

They are total tanks. Will last forever.

The eBay brushes are about half rrp.

[Kev Martin]

A lot of CIU Members have now tried this method I described above.  I have also sent out quite a few free samples to try it.  I would appreciate feedback.

Kev Martin
Marble Life Ltd

[Jamie Pearson]

We use this method regularly with great results.
In fact I just ordered some more from Anthony today.
We make sure we always have at least 5kg of each grit in stock.

[Kev Martin]

I am happy to send out Honing Powdewr Samples to those that genuinly want to try it but I woujld appreciate feedback


Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Tiling Logistics