My Porcelain Tile Install

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by jhelrey

The haze will wear off shortly! Don't sweat it!

Let's see a pic of the steps!

I don't think the epoxy haze is gonna wear off on its own. That being said, I found that grout stripper sitting on it for like 15 minutes followed by a pumice stone knocks it out. I'll have it all cleaned up in a couple of days and then will sit down and take some good pics. The stair does look nice.

[bdamico]

****

[bdamico]

Haze is off and the floor is all cleaned up. Total cost = around $2k (about $4.50.ft), a bad back, and a little aggravation with a contractor that showed up when he felt like it. Nevertheless, the results are stunning. The lighting is bad so the pics don't do justice but I couldn't be happier.

[mobiledynamics]

Mild mild vinegar wash and a green scrubbie. Scrub as HARD as you feel comfortable on the tile.

The key to Epoxy is cleanup .....during install......

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by mobiledynamics

Mild mild vinegar wash and a green scrubbie. Scrub as HARD as you feel comfortable on the tile.

The key to Epoxy is cleanup .....during install......

I scrubbed the sh*t out of the tile with all kinds of abbrasives. Not a scratch.

[mobiledynamics]

I'm a fan of least agressive going up.

Same sponge - straight vinegar.
Any luck.


The earlier the better with this.
What brand epoxy. Mapei, Laticrete, Customs ?

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by mobiledynamics

I'm a fan of least agressive going up.

Same sponge - straight vinegar.
Any luck.


The earlier the better with this.
What brand epoxy. Mapei, Laticrete, Customs ?

It was CEG. I got the haze off with stripper and a pumice stone. It came off good enough for the garage.

[mobiledynamics]

Eeeks. I would have never used a pumice stone.....but hey, it's clean now right ;-)

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by mobiledynamics

Eeeks. I would have never used a pumice stone.....but hey, it's clean now right ;-)

Like I said not a scratch. Pics are up. Just a couple of grout lines that need to be touched up.

[Jack Olsen]

Would love to see the pictures. The links you posted are to your email account, which of course none of us has access to. Could you try again?

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by Jack Olsen

Would love to see the pictures. The links you posted are to your email account, which of course none of us has access to. Could you try again?

Shoot. Had no idea. How bout now?

[Jack Olsen]

Now they're working.

It looks great!

[Levy]

Looks great! I have about 300 18" tiles that came up without breaking on a job. Was thinking of putting them down in the garage. Some people say not worth the effort to grind off the thinset others sau free tile is free tile.

[JimVonBaden]

Beautiful, and I bet very long lasting!

Jim

[jtuds]

Porcelain tile in the garage....is this something that can stand up to a 4-season climate?

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by jtuds

Porcelain tile in the garage....is this something that can stand up to a 4-season climate?

Yes. Think about how many commercial projects use the stuff indoors and outdoors all over the world. It's hard as a rock. Do some searching around this site, you'll see.

[jtuds]

Originally Posted by bdamico

Yes. Think about how many commercial projects use the stuff indoors and outdoors all over the world. It's hard as a rock. Do some searching around this site, you'll see.

Cool man...now I am definitely gonna look into it. Did you have to find a tile guy who had done garages before or was it just any old guy who can lay tile?

[Dakota00]

Originally Posted by jtuds

Porcelain tile in the garage....is this something that can stand up to a 4-season climate?

When using the proper thin-set and grout for exterior, climate will not be an issue at all.

bdamico, glad you got the floor cleaned up, I've been busy the last couple of days to check in on the forum. When dealing with Epoxy, clean up is extremely important before it sets up. Otherwise in your situation the haze would have never came off by itself, especially on a Matte finish.

[bdamico]

Originally Posted by jtuds

Cool man...now I am definitely gonna look into it. Did you have to find a tile guy who had done garages before or was it just any old guy who can lay tile?

I got estimates from a few guys who advertise a lot down here. They wanted around $2.50 a foot w/o baseboards but including materials. But I bought the tile from a commercial GC. He recommended his tile sub. He quoted me sub prices. I ended up paying him about $1.50 a foot w/o materials but including baseboard and extra effort with epoxy grout. He said he's done lots of outdoor spaces for hotels etc. I wouldn't worry about finding a tile guy who's done garages--you may be looking for a while.

[Mush07071]

Found it!