Cleaning / sealing indian sandstone

Patio flagstones (slabs), concrete flags, stone flags including yorkstone and imported flagstones.
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rdt
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:26 am
Location: NW

Post: # 23930Post rdt

Hello,
I'm having some Indian Sandstone laid, inside and outside. With the outside patio, I'm happy to leave it to be weathered.

For the inside stuff (conservatory, hearth for a woodburner) I'd like to clean it and seal it.

For cleaning, I know to steer clear from the acid cleaners so I don't end up with rusty flags.

Would Lithofin MN Power-Clean be OK for this? It's described as being mildly alkaline, so hopefully would not cause the rusty iron problem.
Spec:- MN Power-Clean spec

What else would be suitable for cleaning them prior to sealing?

For sealing, and as it's inside, I was hoping to bring out a bit of the stone's natural colour, so I was thinking of using Lithofin MN Stain Stop Plus. I've used regular Lithofin MN Stainstop before on unsealed tiles, which worked well. Their Stain Stop Plus is meant to be the same but with some additive to enhance the colour.

Thanks for any feedback, especially if anyone could suggest cleaners that won't turn my flags rusty orange, and/or confirm that the MN Power Cleaner will be OK. Paranoid, me?!

Cheers.

Tony McC
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Post: # 23933Post Tony McC

MN Power Clean is usually fine. I say usually because I've been caught out a few times with unexpected reactions between imported stone and various jollops. However, assuming this is one of the more popular Indian Sandstones (Raj/Mint/Modak/Desert/Grey) there shouldn't be a problem. As always,. test it on a discrete area first and leave it for 24 hours as some reactions are slow to get going.

StainStop is fine as a sealant, but several people I've worked for prefer the GolvPolish (which is a wax rather than a liquid) for internal applications. I reckon the StainStop is quicker to apply.
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rdt
Posts: 2
Joined: Thu Nov 15, 2007 9:26 am
Location: NW

Post: # 23935Post rdt

Thanks for your reply, Tony.

The stone is the Raj Green from Stone Emporium.

Link removed


I like the idea of the GolvPolish, so will try that.

Regarding cleaning, the stone shouldn't be too dirty, as we'll make efforts to keep it clean between laying and sealing. With that in mind, is there anything else (gentler still) you might suggest that I could use for the pre-seal cleaning?

I must say, your site's been a great help to me while looking into this paving project. Many thanks for producing such a fantastic source of info.




Edited By Tony McC on 1195235848

Tony McC
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Posts: 8346
Joined: Mon Jul 05, 2004 7:27 pm
Location: Warrington, People's Republic of South Lancashire
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Post: # 23963Post Tony McC

Stone Emporium Image are banned from this site for making false allegations about the reviews I provide following trade shows. That's why I've removed the link you provided and I'd caution everyone about doing business with a company that talks bollocks.
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