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Quartzite Stone
Cleaning - Problem Solving - Protection - Care
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This piece (bottom right) is Quartzite, but you will frequently find it sold as "slate" or mixed in with softer pieces of slate. |
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There is no need for confusion or problems brought about by misidentification of a surface type, yet it happens all too often. If you would like to see why this is the case and how to properly identify a surfacing material .....
Click here
If you are concerned about doing it yourself - consider that the satisfaction of a project is directly related to your knowledge of what needs to be done and how. Who actually does the work is less important. We estimate that 25% of the usage of Aldon products is by "do it yourself" homeowners and we know they are happy because we hear from them.
MATERIAL DESCRIPTION - With Identifying Characteristics
- Usually a very dense stone, but it will stain.
- Some will show crystal deposits.
- Available in cut squares and random shapes
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ADVANTAGES TO THIS MATERIAL
- Dense, tough paving
- A wide array of colors and textures available.
- Colors can be deep and rich depending on sealer
- Many choices for finishing gloss - from none to high gloss
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CONSIDERATIONS (All Are Preventable!)
(Click links for Aldon's solutions to these issues!)
- Do not use a sealer as a grout barrier
(pre-seal). Prevent grout smears, surface scratching and keep grout residue out of surface texture by coating with Aldon "Grout Easy" before grouting. "Grout Easy" is a water soluble coating that comes off easily while grout is being cleaned up with water and a sponge.
- Efflorescence (subsurface originating white powdery stains) can occur in the grout. However, it is
easily cleaned.
- Grout colors can "fade". The appearance of fading is actually from light efflorescence and
can be stopped by sealing with the appropriate Aldon sealer.
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Following are recommendations for products you may need (in sequence of use ) for whichever of the categories applies to you. Please review each and mark your printed
worksheet accordingly.
Layed, But Not Grouted
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 Grout Easy
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 Efflorescence Treatment
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 Grout Residue
Remover
(should not be needed after using Grout Easy)
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Grouted, But Not Sealed
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Grout Residue
Remover
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Efflorescence Treatment
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.............Sealer ( see below )
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 Lifeguard
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Care ...........
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Sealer Has Been Applied
Important! - First -
Click here!
 Premium Stripper- ...........Cleaners ?
- ...........Sealer ( see below )
- Lifeguard
- Care ..........
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Regarding The Sealer Results Shown Below - these pictures are using the same piece of stone to eliminate the variations between stone pieces.
An Aldon sealer does far more than just bead water and look pretty! To see what that is
click here.
Your results may vary somewhat from these pictures due to variations in computer display and the surface materials themselves. Nevertheless, you will be able to see the differences well enough to make good choices.
Different areas of the same piece are used as much as possible to minimize raw material variations.
Of all the sealers Aldon manufactures, the ones shown are recommended as best suited to this surface type.
(Important: If your project has had any sealer applied in the past, it must be evaluated differently. To see why,
Click here!)
"Crystal Glaze Sealer"
Water Based - Coating Type
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This piece was sold as "slate", but the sealer effect is correct for Quartzite. |
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"S-B-S Sealer"
Solvent Based - Penetrating Type
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One Application
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Some Color Enhancement
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Medium (matte) to high Gloss depending on number of applications of sealer.
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Note water drop darkening underneath on the unsealed left side.
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Note the slightly darker area on the right that is sealed with SBS Sealer. You can see the water drop beaded up on the sealer.
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"Porous Stone Sealer"
Solvent Based - Penetrating Type
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One Application
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High Gloss
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Color Enhanced
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Note water drop darkening underneath on the unsealed right side.
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Note the color enhanced darker area on the left that is sealed with "Porous Stone Sealer". The arrow points to a water drop beaded up on the sealer.
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May be too high a gloss level for many of these very dense stones.
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"Porous Stone Sealer" is a high solids level product and therefore might create more gloss on this low absorption stone than you want. It might be better to use S-B-S Sealer and build the gloss level you want with additional applications. Also, see "Lifeguard" below for more gloss. |
* Note: will add another level of gloss to any of the above sealed surfaces.
It also prevents traffic wear to the sealers finish.
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