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Expert Answers
How to Clean and Seal Old Ceramic Tile?
QUESTION
How to Clean and Seal Old Ceramic Tile? - We recently purchased a house in Southern CA that was built in 1939. The kitchen counters and walls and bathroom tub surround still have the original tile.The kitchen counter tiles are six -sided pale yellow - I don't know if they are ceramic or porcelain - actually was hoping you might be able to provide some guidance on that. The grout (very small area) is missing in some places so we are planning on re-grouting. The tile is very dull, and some have grey/black like marks - almost like a pan was dragged across. a few have some minor pitts. We are not looking for perfection - just want to clean it all up and make it liveable for a couple of years. Can you advise if it is possible to to remove the marks - and if so HOW? Also would appreciate guidance as to if there is a sealer that we could apply once we re-grout that would give it a little luster?
The counters do get used a lot - no dishwasher in this little gem ..... and we love to cook!
ANSWER
ANSWER - Your hexagon yellow tiles are not likely porcelain and are more likely a glazed talc body ceramic tile.If the marks on the tile are scratches then you aren't going to be able to remove them. You could try to touch up with an epoxy paint with a matching color so that from a distance you don't notice it, but up close you will.
Pan marks might be able to be removed with tile cleaners or sometimes a pencil eraser will work. Don't use anything too abrasive or you might scratch the glazed surface.
Once you have cleaned the tiles to your satisfaction and regrouted, then you can seal the tile and grout surface with a penetrating sealer such as Miracle 511 Impregnator. The glaze tile surface is impervious, but it can be beneficial and practical to seal the whole surface. It is important that when you apply the sealer be sure to wiped it dry within minutes with a lint free cloth or it will leave a sticky surface.
For information on obtaining tile cleaners and sealers go to our website resource section for Cleaners and Sealers.
