I'm having a problem getting sealer off of a walkway I did. It was actually a small travertine walk that the customer wanted to give the wet look to. I asked my supplier if this were possible and was recommended TechniSeal paver sealer because the label said it would work for natural stone as well as it would be non-slip. Big mistake!! Warning to everyone, don't ever put this crap on natural stone! I followed the directions to the tee and applied three thin coats. Three coats because of how porous the stone is. I also applied to the flagstone on the stoop per the customers request. I know, I know...what the hell was I thinking!
First was the call about how slippery it was when wet and beyond slippery when there was a morning frost. Also, using the sealer on the flagstone caused it to turn cloudy and you could no longer even see the colors in the stone. Because his wife was pregnant I promised to try and fix the problem right away. I'd hoped to simply remove the wet look sealer and try something different. Easier said than done!
It's since been about 5 months and I've been back to this job 5 or 6 different times (on my own dime) to try 5 or 6 different chemicals to remove the sealer. I got most of it off of the flagstone because I used a wire brush and a light muriatic acid. The travertine is a different story. After the first chemical I tried, which was some Home Cheapo sealer remover for tile, the sealer came off in patches and what was left started to turn green!! I've tried a bunch of other stuff with mixed results. The other day I used a sealer remover that is like a gel and let it sit on there for 2 hours and then scrapped the whole thing with a flat razor blade and scrubbed it with a nylon brush. This took up more sealer than the other methods and I thought it had worked until it dried. Then I saw that it took it completely off in some spots and others it still hadn't. So now there are some spots shiny and some spots dull. Looks like sh-t!
Does anyone have any idea what I should do? I feel really bad about this situation. The customer has been very patient and understanding because they see me at least concerned and trying. My biggest problem is that this is in a development that is still being built and there are at least 4 new neighbors that will be moving in across the street and the builder has installed nothing but fake flagstone stepping paths for their walkways. I'd like to land some work from this one, but right now it's making me look bad. Never again!!
Any ideas?
In hindsight, my biggest mistake was asking my supplier instead of asking you guys first! Thanks in advance.
First was the call about how slippery it was when wet and beyond slippery when there was a morning frost. Also, using the sealer on the flagstone caused it to turn cloudy and you could no longer even see the colors in the stone. Because his wife was pregnant I promised to try and fix the problem right away. I'd hoped to simply remove the wet look sealer and try something different. Easier said than done!
It's since been about 5 months and I've been back to this job 5 or 6 different times (on my own dime) to try 5 or 6 different chemicals to remove the sealer. I got most of it off of the flagstone because I used a wire brush and a light muriatic acid. The travertine is a different story. After the first chemical I tried, which was some Home Cheapo sealer remover for tile, the sealer came off in patches and what was left started to turn green!! I've tried a bunch of other stuff with mixed results. The other day I used a sealer remover that is like a gel and let it sit on there for 2 hours and then scrapped the whole thing with a flat razor blade and scrubbed it with a nylon brush. This took up more sealer than the other methods and I thought it had worked until it dried. Then I saw that it took it completely off in some spots and others it still hadn't. So now there are some spots shiny and some spots dull. Looks like sh-t!
Does anyone have any idea what I should do? I feel really bad about this situation. The customer has been very patient and understanding because they see me at least concerned and trying. My biggest problem is that this is in a development that is still being built and there are at least 4 new neighbors that will be moving in across the street and the builder has installed nothing but fake flagstone stepping paths for their walkways. I'd like to land some work from this one, but right now it's making me look bad. Never again!!
Any ideas?
In hindsight, my biggest mistake was asking my supplier instead of asking you guys first! Thanks in advance.
