FEATURE
Before
Aſter
HAZE ERASED
Mark Atkins, Director of LTP, advises on how to remove amine blush from outdoor pavers.
Over the last decade, the popularity of cement free brush-in grouts for grouting in porcelain and natural stone paving has grown exponentially, but they do bring with them a specific issue concerning amine blush.
Amine blush is a greasy or waxy film that can form on tiles that have been installed using a cement free brush-in jointing compound. It's caused by a reaction between the amine hardener in the epoxy and moisture and carbon dioxide in the air during curing. This reaction can lead to a hazy, cloudy or white appearance on the surface of the paver.
On porcelain pavers, if pre-grout protection has not been applied, the process of squeegeeing the grout across the surface and into the joints can result in some of the ingredients getting caught up on the textured surface. This can also happen when applying the grout to textured and porous natural stone.
After grouting, as surfaces start to dry the residues become more visible. This often leads to the applicator reintroducing water at a critically wrong moment; basically re-wetting and over-wetting the surface. The result is an ‘Amine Blush’.
The use of brick acid and highly caustic cleaning solutions can exacerbate the staining issue and potentially damage the surface of the paver and the jointing material.
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It is possible to remove residue safely by using a specialist treatment, like our own non-caustic LTP Solvex, but it is imperative that directions are carefully followed. Removal can often take more than one application and, during the process, resin will soften temporarily but joints will harden again after rinsing and drying.
The following steps will help to ensure successful removal:
1. Use a paint brush or roller to apply LTP Solvex directly and spread out evenly in manageable areas at a time; as far as you can reach without stepping into the solution.
2. Leave to work for up to 30 minutes. Give it a nudge with a black nylon pad every 10 minutes to see how well the residues are softening. If it begins to dry on the surface, keep it wet by spraying a light mist of water over the surface.
3. When the residues are softened, add a little water and scrub the surface using a short-haired deck brush, black nylon scrubbing pad or rotary scrubbing machine.
4. Add more water and continue scrubbing.
5. Rinse down using a hose and water or pressure washer on a low setting.
6. Leave to dry. 7. If any traces remain, repeat the process.
For more information, please contact LTP on 01823 666213, email
info@ltp-online.co.uk or visit the website below.
www.ltp-online.co.uk www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk
https://www.ltp-online.co.uk/prod/ltp-solvex
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