SFA: What's the Answer?
Six Coats of Sealer and My Quartzite is Still Staining
rarac
I have honed white Quartzite Giotto countertops and backsplash installed in my kitchen. The fabricator sealed the countertops with Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator. Within a few days of installation, a to-go container was left on the countertop and left an oil-ring stain. The fabricator applied a poultice and removed the stain. I then ordered Miracle Sealants Porous Plus to do a second coat of sealer as the manufacturer claims it to be better suited for very porous stones. The backsplash was installed a few months after the countertops. Knowing how easily the stone stains with oil we applied two coats of the Porous Plus. It continued to stain so we removed the oil-splatter stains with a poultice and applied four more coats of Porous Plus per the manufacturer's instructions. The backsplash now has a total of SIX coats of Porous Plus sealant on it. It is STILL staining from oil splatter behind our cooktop. We have been very careful about getting oil splatters on the backsplash and have almost completely eliminated cooking with any oils or cooking meals that splatter (hard work for a serious home chef!).
Should I remove this sealant and try a different product? What product will work best to prevent oil stains on very porous quartzite? Can I apply a better product directly on top of the current sealant? Any and all advice would be much appreciated.
Dan R. SFA Former Directors
Quartzites, in general, are better served by sealers with larger/more solids (since the pores are considered to be on the larger size). We use Tenax Pro Seal (solvent-based) and Tenax Skudo (water-based) to seal quartzite, with success.
Mitch@ASW SFA Member
What Dan said above. Proseal by Tenax is one of the best sealers on the market. Mitch Korth Austin Stone Works Mitch@AustinStoneWorks.com (512) 990-9800 "If you don't know where to start, go back to the beginning" - Alphonse Soady
rarac
Thanks Dan R. I have seen other recommendations for Tenax products so will give it a try. Do I need to remove the Porous Plus sealer I have on there first or can I apply Tenax over the Porous Plus? UPDATE: I just spoke with Tech Support at Tenax. They recommended spraying either the Tenax Skudo (water-based) or Tenax Proseal (solvent-based) directly over the sealer I have on there. They thought the Proseal would do a better job so we will try that. They also mentioned that Tenax is coming out with an oil-stain remover for natural quartzite that will only take 15 minutes for stain removal. I will post an update on our oil splatter stain situation once I have one. Thanks!
Mark DeFusco Guardians of the Alliance
When you seal with Proseal, watch the absorption rate of the sealer into the stone. When the absorption rate slows down, considerably stop sealing and allow an overnight cure, then put on an additional coat to make sure the absorption rate is still slow. It is not the liquid sealing the stone, but rather the solids dissolved in the liquid that do it. Since some quartzites are very porous, doing it this way will keep you from getting a false seal. If, when you come back the next day, the first coat gets absorbed as quickly as the first coat the day before, repeat until saturation. Also, Proseal can leave a color enhancement until it is fully cured, but if it does ,rest assured, that it will go back to the normal stone color given time.
bradleyg
I've found that the biggest problem with quartzites is that they don't take in the sealer very well. Make sure to leave a generous amount on for at least 20 minutes. This will mean re-wetting to keep it from drying out. It helps to have the heat/AC off to limit air movement. The Proseal dries out quick. I also leave my quartzite and marble customers a can of the Rock Doctor spray sealer. It's very topical, but with occasional use it adds another layer of protection and it’s user-friendly. Spray on and wipe off.
rarac
UPDATE: Still having issues with oil stains on my backsplash despite several coats of Tenax Proseal sealer. Having additional problems removing these stains with poultices. Poultices leave a dark ring around stain at edge of where poultice was applied. Have tried baking powder poultices and Lustro Italiano. If I can successfully remove this stain, I will try reapplying Tenax and may resort to a clear glass backsplash over the stone to protect it from more stains.
stoneshopinc
Any one using the Akemi Nano sealer? I have a customer who wants a leather Levezzi quartzite, but is freaked out about the potential for stains. Our normal sealer is bulletproof - but with just the wipe on method it is not completely sealing a porous sample of Gioia - maybe need to leave a soaking amount on it.