Travertine Lippage

Hello Maurizio, My name is Wil and I live in Long Island, NY. I am about to try to remove a small amount of lipage (maybe 1/32" max) from my kitchen floor (100SqFt). I have installed travertine bought from HD. The stone is filled and honed. I have already applied the grout. What I intent to use is 17 in diameter sand paper pads (will use water on the floor to reduce dust generation) and an orbital floor machine (the ones normally used for buffing floors) and do two passes per grit value. I will start with a low Grit value of maybe 80 then 120 then 180, after which I will fill the travertine holes (looking to buy Tenax - travertine filler) then switch to using a natural hair pad and honing powder (Stone Tech brand) resuming with grit value of 180 , 200, and finally 400. I will use a new clean pad for each of the powder applications. I don't think I will apply a polish powder, what do you think? My questions are: Is my plan ok? Is there a better way to do this? What do I need to know when filling the traverting holes? How carefull do I need to be with the filling material? Thanks, Wil

 

Wil:

It's gonna take more than sandpaper and an orbital floor machine to cut lippage from travertine! Unless you're willing to work forever!! :-)

Besides, if you want to try going the sand paper under a light machine (light in relation to stone work) route, you should consider starting with a 30 grit or even less.

As for the filler, the Tenax one is a good product but rather difficult to handle. I would consider using unsanded grout to match the color. Use latex modifed grout and mix with more latex (instead of water as indicated on the bag).

Fill in excess and then let cure for at least one full day. Do the filling after 80 grit, and then you will go 120 and, optionlly, 240 if you want a satin finish.

There's no need to use any honing powder. The finish of the sandpaper will be all you need.

Since it's a kitchen floor, I wouldn't even think about polishing it!!

Personally, I would stop at 120.

 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm?   :-)

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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