I would scrape off any build up and use any acidic based cleaner or CLR to clean it then neutralize grout lines with alkaline. If the build up is in the grout lines or on the edges of tiles, it may be efflorensence. Removal is pretty much the same but be aware that it will come back soon if the moisture (the source) is not eliminated. Adam Bartos BiO Tile Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile -----Original Message----- From: "Stuart Young" <santafefc@sbcglobal.net> Date: Thu, 5 May 2011 07:37:29 To: Restoration and Maintenance<sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> Reply-To:"Restoration and Maintenance" <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> Subject: [sccpartners] lime scale on ceramic tile Gentlemen, Yesterday I did a price quote on a back patio of ceramic tile. The owners want it cleaned as there is a problem of "lime scale". Where the owners had watered plants and the water hit the tile, the tile had turned gray and they said it was due to lime scale. Any ideas on how to remove it? Thanks Stuart Young Santa Fe Floor Care ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Freitag" <jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com> To: "Restoration and Maintenance" <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 3:11 PM Subject: RE: [sccpartners] sealing color enhanced limestone Baird, I think the name itself tells why it works TOPCOAT it probably a topical coating that is why it will work. All the sealers I have ever used will not work if you first apply a solvent based impregnating seal. The water based sealer will be repelled by the solvent based sealers I have seen where the water based sealer has been applied and the stone become spotted, it looks like water spot on top of the floor and are very difficult to remove. John E. Freitag President/Director The Stone and Tile School Office 407-567-7652 Cell 407-615-0134 jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com www.thestoneandtileschool.com -----Original Message----- From: Baird Standish [mailto:bairdstandish@gmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 4:00 PM To: Restoration and Maintenance Subject: RE: [sccpartners] sealing color enhanced limestone Ah, but that neon said, getting back to the Aldon controversy, Aldon recommends using their waterbased Lifeguard topcoat over their solvent based SBS sealer, which i have tried and so far no problems. (they pretty much recommend that topcoat over all of there products). Not sure why it works. Baird On Wednesday, May 4, 2011, John Freitag <jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com> wrote: > Adam , I agree with Fred John E. Freitag President/DirectorThe Stone and Tile SchoolOffice 407-567-7652Cell 407-615-0134jfreitag@thestoneandtileschool.com </mail/s/?view=att&th=12fbc49 877e2ea5d&attid=0.1&disp=emb&zw> www.thestoneandtileschool.com From: Fred Hueston [mailto:fhueston@gmail.com] > Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 2:29 PM > To: Restoration and Maintenance > Subject: RE: [sccpartners] sealing color enhanced limestone Adam Generally you can apply solvent based sealers over water based but NOT water based over solvents. Of course I would always test for compatibility.On Wed, May 4, 2011 at 2:21 PM, Info Info <info@restoreyourtiles.com> wrote:Partners,Can SCC solvent based sealer be applied over water based color enhanced surface or should I use water based sealer? Is there anything else that you would recommend to protect moisture sensitive limestone (Azul Cascais) installed in shower? Adam BartosBiO Tile Powered by http://DiscussThis.com <http://www.discussthis.com> > Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences <http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > Start a new conversation (thread) <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > > -- > Frederick M. Hueston PhD > www.stoneforensics.com > www.stoneandtilepros.com > Recommended stone care products http://www.stonecarecentral.com > > Many of my informational articles can be found at www. <http://www.thestonedude.blogspot.com>stoneandtilepros.com > Listen to my radio show at www.blogtalkradio.com/drfredThe Ultimate Stain Remover www.GoDrFred.com Cell 321-514-6845 Powered by http://DiscussThis.com <http://www.discussthis.com> > Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences <http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > Start a new conversation (thread) <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > Powered by http://DiscussThis.com <http://www.discussthis.com> > > > Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences > <http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > > Start a new conversation (thread) <sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com> > > -- ________________________________________ From the desk of Baird Standish Managing Partner Facility Specialists, LLC 1616 Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19103 Phone: 215-732-7505 Fax: 215-546-9160 -- Powered by http://DiscussThis.com Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences: http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com Start a new conversation (thread): sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com -- Powered by http://DiscussThis.com Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences: http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com Start a new conversation (thread): sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com -- Powered by http://DiscussThis.com Visit list archives, subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription preferences: http://www.discussthis.com/members/sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com Start a new conversation (thread): sccpartners@stoneandtilepros.com