So, I solved this one. The Citristrip needed mineral oil or KS3 (Klean Strip 3) "after wash" to take away some of the pink appearance. That one tile is not completely perfect, but in the dim lighting of my kitchen, the color difference isn't apparent unless you're looking for it.
As to the rest of the poly, I used KS3 clear liquid stripper. My procedure was as follows:
1) Pour a puddle of KS3 over 1/4 of the area of a particular tile
2) Use a 2" brush to spread it evenly across the entire tile
3) Wait a minute (or just start pouring on another tile and come back to the first when you finish), then use a plastic paint scraper to take off the poly
4) Do a few more tiles, then come back to the first with a handheld plastic scrub brush after the surface has dried to get all the uneven areas the scraper couldn't pick up
KS3 is extremely effective. The poly would come off on the brush literally as I was spreading the KS3 over the tile, not 5 seconds after I'd poured it. Citristrip may have been even more effective, but I wouldn't use it on anything porous.
Some notes:
- Err on the side of more stripper. Not enough results in having to do the tile twice and having streaks of leftover poly.
- I started with a steel scrub brush, which ended up leaving a gray residue I had to mop the floor to remove. Steel isn't necessary, the poly in the crevices should come up easily with the plastic brush after it dries. If it doesn't, use more stripper.
- Don't accidentally mix 409 and mineral oil by dumping them on the floor, they'll react and make a nasty smell.
As to the rest of the poly, I used KS3 clear liquid stripper. My procedure was as follows:
1) Pour a puddle of KS3 over 1/4 of the area of a particular tile
2) Use a 2" brush to spread it evenly across the entire tile
3) Wait a minute (or just start pouring on another tile and come back to the first when you finish), then use a plastic paint scraper to take off the poly
4) Do a few more tiles, then come back to the first with a handheld plastic scrub brush after the surface has dried to get all the uneven areas the scraper couldn't pick up
KS3 is extremely effective. The poly would come off on the brush literally as I was spreading the KS3 over the tile, not 5 seconds after I'd poured it. Citristrip may have been even more effective, but I wouldn't use it on anything porous.
Some notes:
- Err on the side of more stripper. Not enough results in having to do the tile twice and having streaks of leftover poly.
- I started with a steel scrub brush, which ended up leaving a gray residue I had to mop the floor to remove. Steel isn't necessary, the poly in the crevices should come up easily with the plastic brush after it dries. If it doesn't, use more stripper.
- Don't accidentally mix 409 and mineral oil by dumping them on the floor, they'll react and make a nasty smell.
