Surface Treatment Technologies, Inc.

Protecting

Penetrating Sealers protect against staining by making the stone surface repel water and oil. By keeping water and oils out of the stone surface, these sealers prevent most staining and/or simplify stain removal. After treatment, the porous hard surfaces are easier to maintain and will retain their beautiful appearance for many years.

Penetrating sealers provide protection without altering the surface look.

Penetrating sealers are completely food safe - all solids are placed "in" the stone and not "on" the surface.

Enhancers provide a "wet look" without adding surface sheen or shine to the surfaces. A color enhancer also protects and maintains polished and honed stone surfaces from oil and water staining.

a color enhancer can revive older surfaces that have developed a matte finish and dull spots become less visible.

We recommend redoing the protective treatment when cleaning becomes difficult. on

Tips & tricks

• Before treating any surface with a penetrating sealer, clean the surface. (see Cleaning tab for details).
• Always test the product you choose in an inconspicuous area.
• Wet surfaces should not be treated.
• If you are pressed for time and need to seal immediately after cleaning, use our solvent cleaning solution SICLeaN.
• *TIP* Pour the sealer into a paint tray or bucket before applying sealer to the surface.
• Achieving an even sheen means applying enough product to the surface so the surface is evenly wet and evaporating consistently when you leave.
• *TIP* When applying sealer, if you notice the surface is starting to dry unevenly, concentrate applying sealer to the area of the surface drying fastest. Apply sealer until you have light even sheen everywhere.
• *TIP* Some stones do turn darker when applying sealer. This means they are very absorbent and will require more applications of sealer. This also means the surface will take more time to dry back to the correct color. Adjust your expectations of completing the task.
• *TIP* If, after the sealer has dried and you see a haze, use a clean and dry micro fiber cloth and wipe the haze away, it will disappear easily without using cleaners.
• We recommend touching up the protective treatment when cleaning the surface becomes more difficult.

Cleaning

Before treating any surface with a penetrating sealer, the stone must be thoroughly cleaned. All pits and crevices are where dirt, build-up, and crud accumulates. Concentrate on these areas because all the surface must be clean.

Horizontal cleaning

Always start cleaning with the mildest cleaning solutions. Typically alkalinity is used to define mild. Mild is neutral pH which is 7 on an alkaline scale.

Use a cleaning concentrate like EZCLeaN(neutral pH) at full strength.

Agitate the surface with a pre-moistened, soft bristle brush or micro-fiber rag. Apply the neutral concentrate, (with a spray bottle or sponge)scrubbing while applying, and allow the solution to "dwell" or sit on the surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Continue to scrub while adding water, remove cleaner and water residue from the surface with a micro fiber cloth or a wet-and-dry vacuum. Rinse thoroughly with clear water to remove all product and released dirt residue.

 

Vertical cleaning

Work from the bottom to to the top. Brush walls with a a pre-moistened, soft bristle brush or micro-fiber rag. Apply the neutral concentrate, (with a spray bottle or sponge)scrubbing while applying, and allow the solution to "dwell" or sit on the surface for 5 to 10 minutes. After the initial application, continue to scrub while adding water. Remove cleaner and water mixture from the surface with a micro fiber cloth or a wet-and-dry vacuum, rinse with clear water to remove all product residue.

 

Spot Cleaning

For stubborn types of residue/dirt, Use our spot cleaning agent SCCLeaN. Pre-moisten a microfiber rag with the SCCLeaN and wipe vigorously. The type of dirt that usually needs to be spot treated:

• Oil, grease, care product residues
• Tar wax, varnish, paint
• Deeply entrenched oil stains
• Calcium and gry-matter deposits

Grout release

Before grouting your very absorbent granite, marble, limestone, slate or other stone tile surface, apply a penetrating sealer to the dry surface. This treatment will keep the grout out of the surface indentations and make the surface easier to clean after the grout application process.