We are remodeling a 1961 home & were in the process of having the travertine floor cleaned. It seems to have been sealed at some time with a petroleum-based epoxy. How can we remove the epoxy which covers the surface & has yellowed...??

 

Dear Lynch:

First, I highly doubt that it's epoxy. Maybe urethane?... (Certain people do “amazing” things like that!)

No matter, what, unless you want to “kill” yourself by trying to remove it chemically with some potent paint-stripper based on Methylene Chloride, your only option is to hire a stone restoration contractor that will have to remove that hard-shell stuff by grinding your floor and then hone, re-fill and finish it at your desired finish: honed or polished.

To make sure, it is an expensive proposition, but it is the smartest choice of a few solid reasons:

 

1. Ask to yourself: Why did they put that stuff on top of that floor? Most likely it's because that floor was in bad state of disrepair, and they attempted to “fix” it by coating it with that crap. Once you remove it (if you decide to go the chemical way) you will uncover a floor that needs to be restored real badly. And therefore you will need to call in a pro, because stone restoration is not DIY matter by a very long shot. You might as well call a pro right away!
2. A potent solvent like Methylene Chloride will not affect the stone itself, but good chances are that it will destroy the cementitious filler that the factory used to fill the natural holes in the stone. Hence, once again, the need of a pro.
3. If you ever decide to go the Methylene Chloride way, let me know so that I'm gonna have a chance to get out of the country for a couple of weeks!

 

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Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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