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cindyrenn

Need advice with slate backsplash too dark after enhanced sealer!

8 years ago


Pictures after enhanced sealer



Needing advice ,,, bought slate backsplash from Home Depot , the mosaic satin copper Jeffrey Court and my tile installer put Laticrete enhanced sealer on it 9-8-2017 and now it's too dark . The nice lighter grays and more natural colors went to dark and almost black , very dark gray and making the counter too dark since it is a coffee brown leathered granite. Would like to get it back to the lighter shade and regain some color. Is there a solution or product that can be used to remove the enhancer that is not heavy with fumes? I thought it would just leave the same colors but make them"pop" some . The above pictures are after sealer and the ones below are prior to sealing. Is time an issue to doing anything also ? Thanks for any help.

Pictures before enhanced sealer


Comments (18)

  • PRO
    8 years ago

    I really like your cabinetry!! The backsplash might be a little dark, but looks great, but the diamond look one above stove. Under cabinet lights would highlight the whole feature.

    Ken


    cindyrenn thanked Mountain MT Homes LLC
  • 8 years ago

    Thanks Ken for the note on the cabinets. I do have some under and uppers cabinet /accent lights, actually even the multi colors option, but didn't send an image of them turned on to show the degree of darkness. There's also a light under the overhead vent that is on in all the images except the very top one. I was just so consumed with how dark they changed , but will utilize the accent lighting.

  • 8 years ago
    You can also ask for the name of the specific sealer and then call that manufacturer to see if they have any advice.
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    “Sealers” will dry back to the original color. “Enhancers”, on the other hand, are designed to penetrate and shift the color to a richer “wet” look. Unfortunately, I know from First-hand experience that “enhancers” are a one-way ticket, and can’t be removed. At this point, it is what it is. The real question is whether this is something that you can warm up to. If not, it’s worth every cent to call it a loss, pull it all out, and start over.
    cindyrenn thanked CHC Design-Build
  • 8 years ago

    yeah, I came to say what CHC said. if you didn't want this look, then the tile guy just wrecked your tile -- at the very least, he should have warned you and/or let you test the sealer on a leftover piece. now you have to retile and seal with non-enhancing sealer or bite the bullet and live with it. so sorry!

    cindyrenn thanked acm
  • 8 years ago

    I was hoping there would be a product to dilute the enhancer. I called the company and also talked with tile Dept at Home Depot, but not a lot of luck. Read where someone had tried acetone, but didn't see any after pics. Bought another sample of this tile and plan to experiment. I thought the "wet look" would at least keep the color shade just make it look "wet" but didn't happen, as guess all enhanced sealers don't produce the same look.

  • 8 years ago

    There are topical coatings and impregnating sealers. Impregnators being harder to fully remove. Contact the MFG of sealer and request what type Coating sealer remover you should use.

    Prepare for a nasty nauseous solvent based process and invest in some good Respirators and fans

    cindyrenn thanked User
  • 8 years ago

    It was Laticrete sealer

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Laticrete owns stonetech. call their tech support VS houzzing .

    cindyrenn thanked User
  • PRO
    8 years ago
    I agree that you need under cabinet lighting. But I like the look! It does take several days to adjust to changes!
    cindyrenn thanked SJS Interiors
  • 8 years ago

    What a handsome kitchen, under-cabinet lighting will give this kitchen a very moody vibe. It is not a catastrophe but if makes you gag every time you walk in the room...start over.

    cindyrenn thanked senab
  • 8 years ago

    enhancers penetrate the stone, permanently altering the color. no coming back from it. sorry. I think it looks good. with your under cabinet lighting, I think it will look nice.

    i have that same slate tile in the larger ledger form, on the front of my house. I used the enhancer/sealer too. In over 5 years, it hasn't budged in color. nice waterproof sealer though!

    cindyrenn thanked Beth H. :
  • 8 years ago
    I think your kitchen is gorgeous! Very rich looking and cozy.
    cindyrenn thanked Stacey
  • 8 years ago

    Thanks Beth H for the note that it won't budge in color,,, I of course was hoping it might over time, but will keep it like this for the time being, but you can see the difference between the top images on the bottom images. I'll post a picture with the accent lights.

  • 8 years ago
    nothing will remove the sealer. great product. they should have explained how it works before you applied it. looks great! !!!
    cindyrenn thanked Brian Smid
  • 6 years ago

    i have this same backsplash. I agree, its way to dark post enhancement. If all else fails, you could actually paint the individual tiles the color you want...or color match what color they were...and individually paint them. I just ran a wet rag over my raw tiles to see if I wanted to enhance them. Um NO! way too dark on whats already dark, grim tile. But get it right, and its awesome with the copper tiles gleaming. I use copper cleaner on those copper tiles...

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks,, if there was a natural way to lighten them I’d be up for that. Theres some enhancements that don’t do that and we should have compared prior to using. Thought when dry it would come back to natural stone shades and would be more like a sealer/ protector .