sealing (or waxing?) mexican terra cotta tile

diy'er on LI · 11-13-2009, 02:54 PM

we have a terra cotta tile floor in a small back bathroom that I recently discovered has never been sealed

I would like to seal the tiles, just so they don't absorb absolutely everything that might spill their way....

what is the preferred sealant or wax? I recall decades ago that the main terra cotta tile floor was hand buffed with I believe a wax? the tiles don't look fake or shiny. They have a warm subtle sheen. I would like to replicate that in the back bathroom, if possible.

Online, I found several sealants, but I'm concerned that most of them would be rather high gloss and plasticky.... what's the old-school route?

any suggestions?

thanks

Bud Cline · 11-13-2009, 04:22 PM

What happens when you deliberately splash water on the tiles?

diy'er on LI · 11-13-2009, 05:38 PM

it's totally untreated terra cotta.... it definitely doesn't bead. the water sort of lays there and eventually absorbs

sort of like you would expect an unglazed plate to do.......

Bud Cline · 11-13-2009, 06:23 PM

I think this one is basically a matte finish. You may want to contact the company and ask them for sure.

http://www.stonecare.com/Product-Inf...-Spray-N-Seal/

diy'er on LI · 11-13-2009, 09:19 PM

thanks.... I'll check that out.