Finishing Flagstones

[whiskeyfrank]

We have been renovating our cottage and even through we have tried to keep them clean the flags have become dirty and have lost there colour.

Whats the best option after cleaning to bring the colour back and get the old satin type finish? Ive heard sealing isnt the best option, ive looked at Lithofin- is this any good?

 

[whiskeyfrank]

Oh.. and i forgot, some of the flags are gravestones, one of which is the writing side up, which is a bit spooky

 

[Flyfisher]

Gravestone or grave? :shock:

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ooh - would love to see a pic! How spooky but I'd like that, a lot!

Rather than typing it all out again my advice for your flags is the same as the brick floor thread.

http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14126

This used to be very dark and unshiny:

 

[Gareth Hughes]

...but a couple of coats of linseed oil later, and Emma, Lady Hamilton was the shiniest cat you ever did see!

 

[jocelyn plummer]

:lol: :lol:

 

[TheForge]

Ecover Floor Soap works well, the orange one. It's basically linseed oil.

 

[LadyArowana]

Ecover Floor Soap works well, the orange one. It's basically linseed oil.

Is that suitable for cats too?

 

[whiskeyfrank]

Ive got images of the stones that would help understand my problem but I cant attach pictures im afraid - ive got some of the headstones also

 

[JoceAndChris]

Have you tried www.photobucket.com?

 

[whiskeyfrank]

Thanks for the advice - works!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh well done. Photobucket's great for showing stuff on here.

What wonderful stones - how lucky to have them! How many are like that? What's the history of the house?

I'm going to stick my neck out and say I think the first headstone is mid 18th with the swirl writing and the urn the way it is. But I may be wrong. Can you see any dates?

I still think the Liberon stone floor sealer, which is basically linseed oil, and then the Liberon stone floor wax, would bring them up a treat and offer protection to them too. But I'd try a tiny test patch first.

 

[whiskeyfrank]

Thanks, looks like the Linseed oil route is the way i will go. Ive got to clean them first though, thats a different story - ill try the stone cleaners first

The house was built in 1634 (not 100%) originally and then added to in 1674 and 1714. It was three cottages (wheelwright, coffin maker and apple presser(?)) and a barn. The dining room was actually a the coffin makers so im guessing he "found" the headstones. We had one lose one that was taken up and it was in really good condition and was from 1823, a Henry Waring.

In 1985 the house was fully renovated and lifted up in one piece and foundations dug. The house was then dropped back down - amazing engineering feet.

 

[angrybird]

Frank you are so lucky to have such a beautiful house. its a real chocolate box house
grave stone floor is amazing not at all creepy x

 

[LadyArowana]

Really is so beautiful, just like something from a "Beautiful Britain" calendar. I love the stones too.

 

[JoceAndChris]

What a sweet cottage!

I wouldn't use plain linseed oil. It's better in that Liberon product I mentioned.