Keeping your Saltillo tiles in great shape for years to come
By Clay Imports
Saltillo tiles are one of the most popular and most durable natural terracotta tiles. Their alluring finish is used to achieve both modern and classic design goals and with the proper maintenance it can last for ages. To ensure the longevity of your Saltillo tiles, lessen the general maintenance and as well as make cleaning easier, we highly recommend you to apply a top coat finishing sealer. In this easy to follow guide, we’ll show you how to apply this coat, so you can keep enjoying your natural terracotta tiles.
Cover Photo Design by Brooke Irwin
What’s a top coat tile sealer?
Why should I seal my Saltilo tiles with a finishing sealer?
What’s the difference between a top coat sealer and a factory sealer?
How to choose a top coat tile sealer?
How to apply a top coat of sealer to my Saltillo tiles?
What’s a top coat tile sealer?
A top coat sealer is a clear sealant that, once dry, helps protect tiles from stains and water damage. Topcoat sealer also provides the final cosmetic coat across your installation: the Polish Top Coat sealant enhances your glossy finish while protecting the factory sealant of gloss terracotta tiles.
Why should I seal my Saltilo tiles with a finishing sealer?
People often ask “if I’m buying my Saltillo presealed, why should I add a coat of sealer after installation?” As we mentioned before, is because it will help preserve your tiles aesthetic. Handmade tiles exhibit natural variations, which are inherent traits of natural products like Terracotta. These variations are not defects but rather a natural part of the product. We highly recommend ordering samples before making a final purchase to confirm and appreciate these natural variations in each tile.
But also there’s two additional reasons: Firstly, applying a top coat of sealer on your completed installation will also provide added protection to your grout, helping it keep its integrity and color. Secondly, top coat sealers are different from the factory seal on your Saltillo tile and provide an additional layer of protection, especially if you plan to use your Saltillo tile in high traffic areas.
Saltillo tiles should have a top coat sealer
What’s the difference between a top coat sealer and a factory sealer?
Top coat sealers are designed to protect the finish of your Saltillo tile; meanwhile, factory sealers are designed to protect the actual terracotta of the Saltillo tile. The idea with top coat sealers is that if your factory seal is protected then your Saltillo tile will never require more labor intensive refinishing,stripping and resealing. Top coat sealers are often referred to as maintenance sealers. Meaning that top coat sealers can be applied as routine maintenance as regularly as two to three times a year.
In theory, top coat seals should be worn away by use and cleaning, and reapplied with ease, eternally protecting the factory finish sealer. When a Polish Top Coat needs to be removed fully, we recommend to use Polish Remover this is a specially formulated remover for Polish Top Coat. It easily mops off the existing Polish Top Coat to reveal the factory sealant you sealed previously. After removing, you can easily reapply another coat of Polish Top Coat and continue this process as needed.
Natural Saltillo tiles usually are pre sealed to keep the actual Terracotta in good shape
How to choose a top coat tile sealer?
Before buying a top coat finishing seal, make sure you purchase a product that will match the finish on your tile, so it doesn’t change the look too much. For example, if you’ve purchased matte finish pre sealed tile, you would not want to use a high gloss finishing sealer as this would result in your tiles being shiny. The top coat used in our video, Polish Top Coat is recommended for gloss finished interior use.
For other desired sheens or exterior and wet area application, we have options! Check out our full line of Clay Care to see what top coat is ideal for your project. These maintenance items have been carefully tested with our products, and they are designed to preserve your tiles' beauty, ensuring their longevity and durability. From sealers to cleaners, purchasing these maintenance items together with your tiles not only simplifies your order but also prepares you to enjoy your tiles for a long time.
How to apply a top coat of sealer to my Saltillo tiles?
Step 1: Ensure that the adhesives and grouts used to install your Saltillo tile are completely dry. Applying sealer over moisture can result in white hazy efflorescence on the surface of the tile and grout. You can also use a top coat sealer before installing the tiles, but we recommend doing it after installation. Keep in mind that installations can take up to three days to fully cure.
Step 2: Pour your finishing sealer into a clean paint tray.
Step 3: Apply a thin coat of finishing sealer to the surface of your tile with either a chemical grade brush, roller, or sponge. For this demonstration, we are using a brush application but the easiest option for Polish Top Coat is to mop it on! Apply in small sections no larger than 10 square feet at a time. Is important to first apply the sealer in a test tile before applying it in the whole installation, so you can see how the final result will look like.
Make sure to apply your top coat sealer evenly
Step 4: With a clean, non-fibrous rag, wipe away any sealer buildup from the surface of the tile or puddling in the grout joints. Leaving sealer build up or puddling can result in an uneven sheen and streaks.
Step 5: Allow between two and four hours for the first coat of finishing sealer to dry. Once the first coat is completely dry, you can add two or three more coats to your Saltillo tile. But be aware that every coat you apply should be applied thinner than the previous coat.
Following these steps should be helpful to keep the life of your Saltillo tiles and is a relatively small investment compared to the long term benefits. If you want to know more about how to keep your Saltillo tiles in good condition, you can check our maintenance guide for Saltillo tiles. And remember, if you have any questions or require more information, reach out to us at contact@clayimports.com
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