how do I get tumbled marble to have a slight sheen

Hi Guys, Great website! I've just read question 111 re tumbled marble and need your assistance. We purchased nero marquino tumbled marble (black) and white carrera tumbled marble to apply in a checkerboard pattern (12 x12's) in our front foyer. The white carrera came presealed with a slight sheen, which is very appealing. The nero marquino came gray after tumbling, so I applied the store's (Cancos) color enhancer to darken the color. It did that but still not as dark as the store's sample, more charcoal and not black. I can probably live with that. But now I would really like to find a product I could use to make the surface change from flat to the soft sheen of the white carrera. The saleman told me the color enhancer I used was also a sealer. However, when I called the phone number on the label, the salesperson I got said it wasn't a sealer, only an enhancer. They don't even have a customer service / manufacturer's phone number to call. We are supposed to install tomorrow and I'm not even sure if the tiles are sealed and if they aren't, can we proceed with the installation or do they have to be sealed first... I have just now read another answer on your site that said you don't have to seal before grouting but will the grout release product work to remove the color enhancer I've already applied. I could really use some help. Thank you so much for any advise you can give. Judith

 

A. Hi Judith. You don't need to seal before you install the tile. I would simply install the tiles, grout and then apply more color enhancer. Once the color enhancer is applied it is difficult to remove. If you do use a grout release it shouldn't remove the existing enhancer. Most enhancers are also sealers.

 

As for the sheen on the surface of the tiles, it is the hone / polish, not the sealer that gives it that sheen. You can bring in a stone refinisher to alter the sheen on the set tiles. You don't want any kind of a topical treatment.

 

Dr. Fred

 

Fred M. Hueston, PhD

Chief Technical Director