Quarry Tiles ... again!

[hmboughton]

I've checked through some of the past queries on quarry tiles, but they don't seem to be relevant to my problem. I am trying to uncover a quarry tile floor from a layer of lino and flotex tiles. The worst part of this is the levelling compound on the underneath the lino.

The good news - a small section I tried with white spirit seemed to give up its levelling compound layer quite easily

The bad news - the tiles are very dull and someone has suggested that they may have become porous which means they will never look very good.

question - is white spirit the best solution for removing the levelling compound and if they are porous, is it worth uncovering the tiles anyway?

Thanks

HMB

x

 

[Carol]

There is a liquid made by HG which removes residue left by cement and levelling compounds. It should be available at local builders merchants or tile companies. Sorry I can't remember the name/number of the stuff but the seller will. We used a whole bottle on our tiles that had been grouted really badly and they came up very well. To get a shine on quarries is tricky without sealers or polishes that stop the floor breathing.

 

[Nemesis]

Ecover floor soap is worth a try though. It gives a pleasant sheen.

http://www.tilesoc.org.uk/conservation1.htm


Worth noting about ancient linseed turning the tiles black. Quarries and encaustic are similar in that they are not glazed tiles. They are porous in varying degrees depending on the individual tiles. Battered quarries - that's all part of the charm!