Hi i have recently installed flamed basalt tile around a swimming pool and court yard after grouting and the ushall clean up there are still patches of grout residue on the tile can i acid wash the stone without dammaging it or are there any other ways to get it clean? After cleaning is there a sealer that will give it the look that it has when it is wet? thanks hope you can help

 

Dear Richard:

Although there are exceptions for oc cas ional situations, my personal rule is that acid and natural stone should never be in the same sentence.

Basalt is usually sensitive to acids, hence…

I would try with a good-quality heavy-duty alkaline cleaner with chelates in its formula (like MB-3) and a wire brush. It may take some doing, but eventually you will get there!

As for your second question, yes, it is possible to lock-in the “wet look” (only the darkening, not the sheen) by using a good-quality stone color enhancer like MB-6. Considering how absorbent Basalt can be, it may take a few truckloads of the stuff!!

 

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Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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