Frequently Asked Questions & Answers about STONETECH® Products
Have a specific question about our products? Your question may have already been asked and answered below by our knowledgeable Technical Service team.
For a complete list of questions, see TDS407 STONETECH® Surface Care Frequently Asked Questions.
Sealer Removal
Q. Can a penetrating sealer such as STONETECH BulletProof® Sealer be removed from the stone?
A. STONETECH KlenzAll™ Cleaner can be used to remove STONETECH BulletProof Sealer as well as all the STONETECH penetrating sealers, with the exception of STONETECH enhancing sealers (e.g. STONETECH Enhancer Pro™ Sealer). A test area is recommended to help determine how many times you will need to wash the surface to remove the sealer. Use the heavy duty dilution when mixing STONETECH KlenzAll Cleaner. This process can reduce the amount of STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer in a natural stone or masonry surface; however, complete removal of the enhancing sealer is not always possible.
Q. How can the STONETECH Semi Gloss Finish & Sealer or STONETECH High Gloss Finish & Sealer be removed or stripped?
A. STONETECH Epoxy Grout Haze & Coating Stripper is recommended for the removal of STONETECH Semi Gloss Finish & Sealer or STONETECH High Gloss Finish & Sealer.
Q. How can the STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer be removed?
A. Once applied the STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer is very difficult to remove. Within 24 hours of application, washing with mineral spirits or other similar solvent(s) may reduce the amount of STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer in the substrate. After 24 hours, the ability of the solvent(s) to reduce the amount of STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer in the surface decreases. Paint stripper may also be tested. Once the STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer has cured mechanical abrasion may be required if removal is still necessary. None of the products in the STONETECH line will remove or reduce the STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer.
Q. How can the water-based, STONETECH Enhancer & Sealer be removed?
A. Once applied and cured, the STONETECH Enhancer & Sealer is very difficult to remove. Best results are obtained within 36 hours of sealer application. STONETECH KlenzAll Cleaner can be used to reduce the amount of STONETECH Enhancer & Sealer in the surface.There are no guarantees that the use of this cleaner will completely remove STONETECH Enhancer & Sealer from the substrate.
Acid Etching on Natural Stone
Q. Even though a penetrating sealer (e.g. STONETECH BulletProof Sealer) was applied to the marble, etch marks are still occurring. Is the sealer working?
A. If water is repelled (beading, no darkening of stone) then the penetrating sealer is working. Penetrating sealers provide protection against water or oil borne staining but cannot provide protection against etching.
Q. Is there a product that can be applied over an etch mark to repair the shine?
A. Etching can only be properly repaired by mechanically refinishing the damaged area. A topical coating (e.g. STONETECH High Gloss Finish & Sealer) will not restore the original appearance of the surface.
Application
Q. Can the STONETECH Enhancer & Sealer or STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer be applied over a penetrating sealer (e.g. STONETECH BulletProof Sealer)?
A. STONETECH enhancing products (e.g. STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer) cannot be applied over a penetrating sealer. The penetrating sealer present will not allow the enhancing product to penetrate the surface evenly or will prevent the enhancing sealer from penetrating at all. The penetrating sealer will have to be removed prior to applying an enhancing product to the substrate.
Q. A hazy residue has appeared after applying STONETECH BulletProof Sealer, STONETECH Heavy Duty Sealer, STONETECH Stone, Tile & Grout Sealer, or STONETECH Impregnator Pro Sealer. How can this residue be removed?
A. Within the first several hours after application, simply reapply the sealer. Allow the sealer to sit and soak for 2-3 minutes then agitate the surface with a nylon brush or white nylon scrub pad. Wipe thoroughly dry. For stubborn residues, or if more than 24 hours have past, the STONETECH KlenzAll Cleaner can be used. Start with a light duty dilution (8 parts water to 1 part cleaner); apply the STONETECH KlenzAll Cleaner solution to wet the affected surface. Allow the cleaning solution to sit and soak for 2-3 minutes. Agitate the surface with a nylon brush or white nylon scrub pad, remove the cleaning solution and rinse thoroughly. A repeat wash may be necessary.Once the residue has been removed resealing may be necessary.
Q. A sticky, tacky film has appeared on the floor after applying the STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer. How can this be removed?
A. Within 24 hours of application, test reapplying the sealer and scrubbing with a nylon brush. After 2-3 minutes of agitation, wipe the surface clean and dry. For stubborn residues, or if more than 24 hours has past, a solvent will be necessary. First test odorless mineral spirits and, if a stronger solvent seems necessary, test lacquer thinner. Apply solvent to a small area and begin agitating with a nylon brush or white nylon scrub pad. After 2-4 minutes of agitation, remove the solvent with clean, dry towels. Wipe the surface thoroughly dry. Replace towels often for best results. Once the surface has thoroughly dried, test for water repellency. If water is repelled the reapplication of STONETECH Enhancer Pro Sealer should not be required.
Q. There are brush marks and streaks left after applying the STONETECH Semi Gloss Finish & Sealer or STONETECH High Gloss Finish & Sealer. How can this be fixed?
A. Streaks can appear if the STONETECH Semi Gloss Finish & Sealer or STONETECH High Gloss Finish & Sealer is overworked during application, or, if the surface was not properly prepared. Brush or roller marks may also be the result of an insufficient sealer application or if the sealer was applied too quickly. Streaking can sometimes be eliminated by a reapplication of these Finish & Sealer products. Test an area to ensure that an even film of product covers the surface. After curing, evaluate the area. If the additional coat of sealer does not even out the streaks, the streaked coating will have to be removed using STONETECH Epoxy Grout Haze & Coating Stripper.
Hard Water Deposit Removal
Q. How can hard water deposits be remove from natural stone or masonry?
A. STONETECH Restore™ Acidic Cleaner can effectively remove hard water deposits on non-acid sensitive stone. On an acid sensitive substrate, test the STONETECH Soap Scum Remover.