finish for old brick floor?

[rimcart]

Any advice on how to achieve an even, clean looking finish to an old brick floor?
Bricks are probably 100yrs + old, have been relaid, thoroughly cleaned etc but look messy/ dirty due to uneven wear/ old layers of polish etc.
Is it possible to sand(?) the bricks to an even finish before sealing etc to achieve a better look?
Or perhaps the sacrilege of applying floor/ brick paint?
Any advice or experience gratefully received.
Thanks.

 

[Gervase]

Sand, a lump of 4x2 with some cloth wrapped around it and plenty of elbow-grease would give you a traditional finish.

 

[middi]

Traditionally, the best way to level a brick floor was to get a brick( or more) of similar or same construction and density and keep rubbing brick face to brick face untill you are happy with the look, this should leave you with a well used clean level(ish) floor and looking completely natural

( then proceed to the nearest casualty ward to have your wrists and forearms put in plaster of paris for a week or so :wink: )

 

[AMc]

We pressure washed, then used brass wire wheel brushes mounted on drill bits from the local hardware store to remove the worst of the muck on our floor bricks (sorry don't know the proper name) BEFORE laying. After laying I protected them with 3 coats of Osmo PolyX wax oil and mop with Ecover Floor Soap.

Since I've had some trouble with lifting and have had to relay some of them I have been able to remove some lime staining with 80grit paper on a wooden block but it's very hard work and I wouldn't do the whole floor.

 

[headgear]

Clear the room.
Set up sound system.
Announce party on facebook,
Give guests abrasive to stick on their feet.
In the morning enjoy your loverly floor.



Sorry, it was all getting a bit serious in another thread - I'm off to bed

 

[rimcart]

Thanks everyone - some useful tips there.
Think I will go and experiment with some of them!