Treating Scratches
Scratches can ruin the appearance of a slate floor, especially if the slate is smooth honed or the scratches are deep.
Whichever method you use, please do a test sample on a spare piece of tile or in an inconspicuous area.
1. Colour Enhancing Impregnating Sealer
First I suggest trying a little colour enhancing impregnating sealer.
Apply to the scratch with a fine brush or q tip.
The impregnating sealer will darken the scratch making it less noticeable.
If your floor has a topical sealer, apply the topical sealer over the impregnating sealer once it has dried.
2. Wet And Dry Paper.
You can try using wet and dry paper that is used on car bodywork with water to help remove the scratch and blend the repair in with the rest of the tile.
Start at 400 grit and finish at 2,000 grit, leaving a smooth finish.
Finish off with a colour enhancing impregnating sealer.
If your floor has a topical sealer, apply the topical sealer over the impregnating sealer once it has dried.
3. Fine Grade Steel Wool
You can try 0000-grade fine wire wool.
Do not use water as the steel wool will rust and possibly stain the tile.
This grade of wire wool is very gentle.
The process will create dust, so have a dry vacuum available to remove all of the dry dust.
Finish off by applying a colour-enhancing impregnating sealer.
If your floor has a topical sealer, apply the topical sealer over the impregnating sealer once it has dried.
Slate Surfaces In A Kitchen, Bathroom And Toilet.
Kitchens, bathrooms and toilets are areas where strong chemicals are often spilt; foodstuffs, toilet cleaner, liquid soaps, shampoo etc.
Any spill must be cleaned up immediately.
These areas should be inspected regularly for sealer wear and the sealer topped up to maintain the protection.
If you start to see watermarks, that means your slate has lost its protection.
So you will need to thoroughly clean the surface and apply a suitable protection.