Cleaning and regrouting quarry tiled floor

[moonboots]

We've got a lovely old quarry tiled kitchen floor, bit shabby but full of character (along with some old adhesive from a few lino tiles in one corner)!

It needs rejuvenating, seems to have lost its sheen and always looks dirty and scuffed. Also there are gaps between the tiles where all the crumbs'n'stuff gathers.

Can anyone help with:
Best way to clean them up and/or seal
What kind of grout to use
Should I grout before clean or v.v.
I think they are set direct on ground (ie. no damp course), house is just over 100 yrs old

All advice much appreciated.
thanks

[Rookery]

I would use LTP Power Stripper to clean the tiles. Follow the instructions on the label, leave the solution on the floor a while, scrub with a scrubbing brush or pad and rinse with clean water. Some quarry tiles should not be sealed (ie Ruabon) but if you want a sealer or satin/gloss/wax finish, go to LTP Online and follow the steps. I would re-grout with Mapei Ultracolorplus once the tiles have been cleaned and any loose grout raked out.

[m3 fitter]

I personally use Lithofin products, as their sealers and removal products work well, with no streaks or problems, here's some info on the cleaning product.
Clean first, seal, grout and re-seal when grout dry
http://www.extensive.co.uk/product.php/ ... cleaner-1l
and here's the sealer, seal prior to, and after grouting
http://www.extensive.co.uk/product.php/ ... ainstop-1l, the site has a coverage calculator,good prices and delivered

[moonboots]

Any thoughts on raw linseed oil to clean and seal? The tiles are filthy but not stained.
To seal or not to seal is the question, is there any way to tell?

[tictic]

yes you can use boiled linseed oil and white spirits 50/50 to seal them.

[moonboots]

Anyone know the difference between boiled and raw linseed oil?
Does it take an age to dry if you use it to seal?

thanks

[royaloakcarpentry]

Raw linseed oil is raw and boiled has been cooked.

Funnily enough it is the same difference between raw carrots and boiled ones lol.

probably not what you meant, by the difference, but couldn't resist.

[tictic]

linseed oil when "boiled"...am not a chemist here,..drys a lot faster than linseed oil(raw)..

boiled linseed and white spirits mixed 50/50 was and still is used today as a sealer for all types wood/brick(give that glossy,shiny look)...and stone tiles..quarry/slate etc...

boiled linseed/white spirits also penetrates alot quicker and deeper into the tile etc...

only ever worked with boiled,only way i was taught many years ago...

just clean the tiles with sugar soap etc let dry and apply 50/50 off the above, not to much at the one time,before it drys wipe any excess off.

first time i done this many many years ago on a slate floor.....after applying sealer...stood back to admire my work,,,...and all i could see was my palm/finger prints in the tiles...
well my tradesman was a tad pissed off..had to stip it all and redo...got myself three adams apples that day....

so wear marigolds/surgical gloves etc....

[tictic]

roc

did you not use linseed oil,on wood/furniture etc....when you where serving your time...