artisan LIMESTONE Operating manual

LIMESTONE
SEALING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE

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Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal
forms of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
Most limestone is com- posed of skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera.
Sealing limestone is highly recommended as stain removal can be limited due to its porosity and chemical sensitivity
LIMESTONE SEALING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
SEALING:
Sealing limestone prior to installation is highly recommended. Many Limestones contain soluble minerals and can
often become permanently discoloured from the installation process.
It is always best to consult with your stone supplier to verify whether your lime- stone requires this treatment. For best
results, sealing limestone on all six sides using Aqua Mix® ProBlock a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation.
PRE-SEALING:
If the stone does not require to be pre-sealed, it is generally recommended to apply a coat of sealer using Aqua Mix®
ProBlock on the surface prior to grouting. This is to act as a grout release and assist in the grout clean-up process.
PRE-GROUT SEALING (IF NOT PRE-SEALING):
If applying an Enhancing Sealer as the final surface seal, DO NOT apply ProBlock to the top surface as it will stop the
penetration of enhancing sealers. Please contact Artisan Exterior or Aqua Mix® prior to installation if an enhancer is
specified for use.
Artisan Exterior: www.artisanexterior.com.au
Aqua Mix: www.aquamix.com.au
NOTES:

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LIMESTONE SEALING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
Smooth surfaces (polished, honed) should only be sealed using either a Natural Look Sealer or an Enhancing Sealer.
The best sealer for all natural stone products is Aqua Mix® Sealer’s Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure, however we have a
range of sealers to suit your requirements:
Natural Look:
Good: Aqua Mix® Penetrating Sealer
Better: Aqua Mix® Pro-Solv®
Best: Aqua Mix® Sealer’s Choice® Gold – Rapid Cure
Enhanced Look:
Good: Aqua Mix® Stone Enhancer
Best: Aqua Mix® Enrich’N’Seal
FINAL SEALING:
It is important that all the grout haze is removed between 3-10 days. A minimum of 3 days for the grout to cure and
harden, and no longer than 10 days or it may need to be mechanically removed.
Grout haze can be removed using Aqua Mix® Cement Grout Haze Remover.
It should be noted that many natural stones can react with acidic cleaners. It is always recommended that you test
Aqua Mix® Cement Grout Haze Remover on a spare piece first, if epoxy grout has been used you can remove using
Aqua Mix® Sealer & Coating Remover.
GROUT HAZE REMOVAL:
Sealing natural stones with our penetrating sealers will not alter the slip resistance. If you require more info, please
contact Artisan Exterior or Aqua Mix® prior to installation.
Artisan Exterior: www.artisanexterior.com.au
Aqua Mix: www.aquamix.com.au
NOTES:

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LIMESTONE SEALING & MAINTENANCE GUIDE
• For general cleaning Aqua Mix® Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner can be added to your mopping liquid.
This product is a safe to use pH neutral formula and leaves the room smelling clean and fresh.
• For periodic cleaning Aqua Mix® Stone Deep Clean can be used with a soft white nylon scouring pad. Follow
by rinsing thoroughly.
• For heavy scuff marking or stubborn ground in dirt Aqua Mix® NanoScrub® is a powerful non scratch
abrasive cleaner, formulated with Nano-sized particles that penetrate small surface pores. It is Non-toxic,
non-flammable and non-acidic.
Helpful Tip: Regular use of Aqua Mix® Concentrated Stone & Tile Cleaner will help prevent a build-up of soap scum,
hard water deposits and mildew.
FLOORS:
Walls should be regularly cleaned using any of Aqua Mix® Routine Cleaners.
Regular use of Aqua Mix® AquaShield Cleaner & Resealer will ensure that your natural stone always maintains
maximum stain resistance.
WALLS:
If you have a stain that you wish to remove, Aqua Mix® Poultice Stain Remover should be used.
This product is a blend of absorbent clays that can be mixed with water or an appropriate chemical to extract the stain
from within the stone.
STAIN REMOVAL:
MAINTENANCE:
An etch is not a stain; like a scratch it effectively changes the surface of the stone. It generally appears as a light, dull
mark. Contact from acidic materials like lemon juice, wine, coffee, fruit juice etc can create an etch. The more acidic the
liquid the faster and deeper the etching occurs.
Note: Penetrating Sealers cannot stop etching as they are beneath the stones surface and not a physical barrier
between the acidic liquid and the stone.
For more information regarding etching and removal, please contact Aqua Mix®.
Aqua Mix: www.aquamix.com.au
ETCHING:

1300 301 898
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