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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:09 pm
by Forestboy1978
I have been looking into sealing sandstone as a method to prevent oil stains etc etc. A customer wants to run his petrol lawnmover over his patio and is worried about staining.
I looked into sealing it but the costs for this are around £1000 for 40m2 with follow up treatments so I was wondering what reactionary methods there might be.
On sandstone it appears no acid.
Caustic soda - jury's out
Sandbasting - not sure
rubbing a brick on sharp sand (no grit) with water and detergent - interesting
I can't see any of this working for an oil stain though.
Would love to hear peoples opinions and experiences on this!
Cheers 
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 5:19 pm
by Forestboy1978
Another one I just thought of is using a floor polisher with abrasive pads! Dunno
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 6:39 pm
by Carberry
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 6:40 pm
by lutonlagerlout
40m2 would cost around £80 for lithofin MN stainstop
lets make things easier not harder :;):
LLL
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:04 pm
by Forestboy1978
Ok thanks for that, that certainly is cheaper but it's not £80
Lithofin MN Stain Stop - Coverage: dependent on absorbent properties of stone- - about 15 m2/L for polished stone - about 6-8 m2/L for natural and sawn stone - about 3-6 m2/L for porous sandstone and limestone
So this is between best case scenario @ the cheapest I can find it per litre for 25 quid.... covering 6 metres per litre £166.66 or worst at 3 metres per litre £333. Does this account for needing 2 coats like all the rest seem to need. Does it need 2 coats it doesn't say so I presume so.
See what am I supposed to say to this guy. Yeah mate that sandstone patio I laid you, well,,, you may need to spend best part of 500 quid keeping it clean or you're just gonna ruin it trapsing to and from your shed with god knows what!
Shit!
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:09 pm
by rab1
you get what you pay for. :O
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:12 pm
by Carberry
Forestboy1978 wrote:See what am I supposed to say to this guy. Yeah mate that sandstone patio I laid you, well,,, you may need to spend best part of 500 quid keeping it clean or you're just gonna ruin it trapsing to and from your shed with god knows what!
Supposed to go over all of that in the quoting / design process. The pros and cons for each material and method of laying followed by your recommendation.
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 7:16 pm
by Forestboy1978
Carberry wrote:Forestboy1978 wrote:See what am I supposed to say to this guy. Yeah mate that sandstone patio I laid you, well,,, you may need to spend best part of 500 quid keeping it clean or you're just gonna ruin it trapsing to and from your shed with god knows what!
Supposed to go over all of that in the quoting / design process. The pros and cons for each material and method of laying followed by your recommendation.
Fair enough. that's a constructive comment, I appreciate it!
I didn't offer to do this. I was asked. I opted for a different stone and they didn't want to pay for it and chose this one. I had seen it laid but never laid it myself and I said as much. Now I feel responsible.
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:22 pm
by lutonlagerlout
4 litres would be ample for most sandstone FB
i reckon on about 12.5 M 2 per litre on my own sandstone patio
most floor guys use a sponge to apply it so it only takes around a half an hour on a warmish day
LLL
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 8:24 pm
by Carberry
Forestboy1978 wrote:Carberry wrote:Forestboy1978 wrote:See what am I supposed to say to this guy. Yeah mate that sandstone patio I laid you, well,,, you may need to spend best part of 500 quid keeping it clean or you're just gonna ruin it trapsing to and from your shed with god knows what!
Supposed to go over all of that in the quoting / design process. The pros and cons for each material and method of laying followed by your recommendation.
Fair enough. that's a constructive comment, I appreciate it!
I didn't offer to do this. I was asked. I opted for a different stone and they didn't want to pay for it and chose this one. I had seen it laid but never laid it myself and I said as much. Now I feel responsible.
Muddies the waters a bit, but I try and make everything absolutely clear before doing any work so there is no comeback on me.
Your client has at least some responsibility, I would tell them that it is your recommendation that they seal the stone to prevent any staining and that it will cost whatever your fee is.
Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:06 pm
by Pablo
Personally I'd advise the client to get his mower fixed so it didn't leak problem solved and no need to seal the paving.
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:19 pm
by Bec@LondonStone
If you use Dry Treat 'Stain Proof' it should cost around £300 max and you won't have to reapply, it's a one off application.
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:31 pm
by DNgroundworks
ha ha i like pablos advice, just fix the leaking mower, solve a few problems at once 
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 5:55 pm
by lutonlagerlout
or thinking laterally, get rid of the grass
LLL
Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 6:28 pm
by Carberry
lutonlagerlout wrote:or thinking laterally, get rid of the grass
LLL
Or think Italian or Jewish and cover your patio in shrink wrap :laugh: