Thanks guys. I am just trying to get a better polish on the joints and fill. I am getting a good result with adhesion and the grout not dishing out when I get back to sanding but it sure would be nice if it finished better. My sample on a large format tile was hit or miss. Some areas looked better. Some look just as flat as it I didn't densify. I applied 2 coats, sprayed and brushed in with a fine bristle broom. They were thick coats. I had to use 50 dry resins to he back thru to the stone, then finished with #1 and #2 Cheetahs. Then an 800 monkey. Great finish but not the result I was hoping for. I think possibly the acrylic doesn't allow the consolidant to react at a deeper level and it is easily sanded thru but Greg seems to have had better luck. 

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On 2 Mar 2014, at 7:17 am, john jackson <kcstoneguy@yahoo.com> wrote:

I would suggest using a better admix, some are better than others. I use my admix from Lyons mfg made for my cement microtoppings..huskqvarna has a  strong one as well. I started using the lyons product with that traverfil eastern marble sells and its hard as a rock...I heard a product called laticrette 3000 is really hard too..unless you are trying to harden the grout so the sand doesn't scratch the polish ..I would skip the densify part


On Saturday, March 1, 2014 11:57 AM, Gregory Cook <info@surfaceshawaii.com> wrote:
The point is not to density the travertine, it is to harden the grout used as a filler. 

Thank You,
Gregory Cook
Surface Solutions Inc. 
808.891.1963

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On Mar 1, 2014, at 8:52 AM, john jackson <kcstoneguy@yahoo.com> wrote:

I think densifing travertine is a waste of time . I think there could be some merit to using it on limestone and certain marbles. I found this information on the net as to how densifiers work, and unless there is some free lime, or perhaps calcium carbonate its a waste of time.
 
"Sodium, potassium, magnesium, and lithium silicates all react with calcium hydroxide (also referred to as “portlandite” or “free lime”)—a byproduct of cement hydration—to produce calcium silicate hydrate (Hardened Cement), the same that results from adding water to cement and gives concrete much of its strength and hardness. In the hydration process, calcium hydroxide dissolved in water moves to the surface region of a slab. As silicates attack the calcium hydroxide this newly created Hardened Cement Particle is deposited primarily in the pores and canals on the surface of a slab. This results in a harder and denser concrete surface.  There are varying kinds of silicates in solution that are commercially sold for dust proofing and densifying concrete.  How they behave and the results achieved depend on a the type of silicate and the physical properties of the material. '


On Friday, February 28, 2014 1:25 PM, Mike Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com> wrote:
I find that if I go over the floor quickly with light passes and diamonds with good ventilation then it does not dish out the grout. Also I always let it sit 24 hours after grouting...take a day off. I think I'll try to density at this point which would be 120 resins. Doing a loose tile sample today with a hand machine. 

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On 1 Mar 2014, at 6:35 am, Gregory Cook <info@surfaceshawaii.com> wrote:

The lithium silicate will not have a problem with the acrylic. I applied the densifier as soon as the grout looked dry and before grinding off the excess so that it wouldn't wear out my diamonds and create any divots in the filled holes. That way the grout would remain level with the stone. I just flooded a section at a time and kept it wet for about 15mins and squeegeed the excess to the next section. It really hardened the grout well, I was surprised. It would be best to wait until the following day to grind the excess off after densifying especially if you are doing it wet. 

Thank You,
Gregory Cook
Surface Solutions Inc. 
808.891.1963

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On Feb 28, 2014, at 10:06 AM, Mike Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com> wrote:

do you think the acrylic would inhibit the densifier from reacting with the grout? Greg, when did you apply the densifier after you grouted, did you grind back the excess first? I like the acrylic because of bonding as I am going over existing grout...

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On 1 Mar 2014, at 5:53 am, Gregory Cook <info@surfaceshawaii.com> wrote:

I have grouted without latex and used a lithium silicate densifier the next day and the grout was really hard. It ground easy and took a polish. 

Thank You,
Gregory Cook
Surface Solutions Inc. 
808.891.1963

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On Feb 28, 2014, at 9:32 AM, Mike Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com> wrote:

That's what I do Stu, grout with latex, but the last one I did there were dull areas due to lack of density. 

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On 28 Feb 2014, at 10:37 pm, stuart rosen <mail@stoneshine.com> wrote:

I have heard that some densifiers will work but have never used any.
Not sure why you would need it.
Dry treat makes a consolidator but not sure how effective it would be .
We just grind and fill with grout and latex.


On Wed, Feb 26, 2014 at 8:35 PM, Mike Marsoun <nulifesc@bigpond.com> wrote:
Has anyone tried a lithium silicate on travertine? I have to do some samples and it is all I have in stock (hyper guard). Doing a grind and fill on travertine. I think I have some sodium silicate also...

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Regards,
Stu Rosen
201-446-1200
www.mbstonecare.com 
 




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