Select a surface type below for guidance.
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GRANITE | |||||||||
CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | |||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Color enhancement / Darkening | *SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STRIPPING STAIN REMOVAL |
ANTI-SLIP TREATMENT | |
POLISHED | / | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | P323 P324 R155 |
P319 | P321 | R150 R154 R155 |
R765 |
HONED | / | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R765 |
TEXTURED | / | R155 R163 |
S731 S234 |
S242 S244 S748 |
S235 S237 S239 |
P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
/ |
COUNTERS TABLETOPS POLISHED |
/ | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | / | / | P319/P321 P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
/ |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.), for exterior installations, or on polished surfaces. Residential Applications: HMK® P323 is not needed for polished surfaces in light traffic areas. HMK® R163 and R166 are for professional use only. |
HMK’s Three Step Program allows to properly
(1) Clean the tumbled stone/marble after installation
(2) Protect it against dirt, food, and liquids
(3) Maintain its natural beauty in an easy, safe and economical way
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TUMBLED STONE & MARBLE |
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CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | |||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Color enhancement / Darkening | *SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STRIPPING STAIN REMOVAL |
ANTI-SLIP TREATMENT | |
NATURAL LOOK EXTERIOR / INTERIOR |
/ | R155 R155 |
S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
S235 S237 |
P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
OIL & WAX LOOK INTERIOR |
/ | R155 R155 |
S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
P326 P328 |
P324 P326 R155 |
P324 | / | R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
ANTIQUE LOOK INTERIOR |
/ | R155 R155 |
S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | P324 R155 |
P324 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.), for exterior installations, or on polished surfaces. Residential Applications: All three ‘looks’ are applicable, thought the Exterior / Interior looks is the preferred one for commercial installations because of ease of application and ongoing maintenance. |
Even though there are differences among these materials in regard to the “wearability”, i.e. absorption, compressive strength, abrasive hardness, etc., they can still be considered as one for ease of understanding.
Agglomerate and Terrazzo
Agglomerate and Terrazzo can be made of different aggregate chips such as marble, granite, quartz or onyx, in a cementitious or resinous (epoxy, polyester) matrix. Both the aggregate and matrix determine their hardness, durability and absorption. To guarantee their long-lasting beauty, a Preventive Maintenance Program is needed. HMK®’s Three Step Program allows to (1) clean the surface after the installation, (2) protect it against infiltration of dirt, liquids, food, and (3) maintain the natural beauty in an easy, safe and economical way.
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MARBLE, LIMESTONE, TRAVERTINE, ONYX, AGGLOMERATE, TERRAZZO | |||||||||
CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | |||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Color enhancement / Darkening |
*SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STRIPPING STAIN REMOVAL |
REPOLISHING +ANTI-SLIP TREATMENT |
|
POLISHED | / | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | P323 P324 R155 |
P319 | P321 | R150 R154 R155 |
P727 R766 |
HONED | / | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
S235 | P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R766 |
TEXTURED | / | R155 R155 |
S731 S234 |
S242 S244 S748 |
S235 S237 S239 |
P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
/ |
COUNTERS TABLETOPS POLISHED |
/ | R155 | S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
/ | / | / | P319/P321 P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
P727 |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.), for exterior installations, or on polished surfaces. Residential Applications: The use of HMK® P323 Polish Preserver is optional, since the wear due tp foot abrasion is minimal. Furthermore, a polished finish should be limited to dry areas only to avoid slipping, and should not be used in kitchens and on counter / vanity tops due to citric acid etching. |
– A natural cleft, rough surface with slate and quartzite.
– A higher water absorption and lower resistance to abrasion with sandstone, cantera, Indiana Limestone. Both the natural cleft surface and higher absorption make these materials especially prone to staining (even during installation), dirt retention, and wear.
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SLATE, QUARTZITE, SANDSTONE, CANTERA, INDIANA LIMESTONE | |||||||||
CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | |||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Color enhancement / Darkening |
*SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STAIN REMOVAL | STRIPPING | |
SLATE QUARTZITE ROUGH |
S234 | R155 R155 |
S234 | S242 S244 S748 |
S235 S237 |
P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
SANDSTONE CANTERA IND. LIMESTONE ROUGH & SMOOTH |
S234 | R155 R155 |
S234 S731 |
S242 S244 S748 |
S235 S237 S239 |
P324 R155 |
R155 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.) OR for exterior installations. Residential Applications: For kitchen and counter / vanity top installations HMK S37/S39 Sealers are recommended for the best protection and ease of maintenance. NOTE: Pre-Treating these natural stones is advisable due to their higher absorption and / or cleft surface. |
Both glazed and unglazed ceramic and mosaic tile do absorb water, dirt, and oil, therefore need protection and maintenance. Furthermore, foot traffic will wear the surface and slip accidents may occur, unless a regular care system is incorporated and maintained.
Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tile has an extremely low absorption of less than 0.5% (impervious) and dense composition; still, there are concerns regarding dirt and oil, slipperiness, and care of grout joints.
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CERAMIC & PORCELAIN TILE | ||||||||
CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | ||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | *SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STRIPPING STAIN REMOVAL |
ANTI-SLIP TREATMENT | |
CERAMIC TILE GLAZED |
/ | R155 R159 |
S234 | S235 | P324 R155 |
R159 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R765 |
CERAMIC TILE UNGLAZED |
/ | R159 R155 |
S234 | S235 | P324 R155 |
R159 | P324 R155 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R766 |
PORCELAIN TILE POLISHED, HONED TEXTURED |
/ | R161 R155 |
S234 | / | P324 R155 |
P324 | P324 | R150 R154 R155 |
R766 |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.), for exterior installations, or on Polished/Glazured surfaces. *HMK® S235 may be applied to semi-vitreous or non-vitreous Glazed and Unglazed ceramic due to their porosity. Please test. Residential Applications: HMK® R163 and R166 are for professional use only. |
Unglazed Quarry tile is often being used in food preparation and large commercial areas where staining and foot abrasion are of great concern. Concrete will stain readily and loose its color pigments unless properly cared for.
Terra Cotta, Saltillo, Brick Pavers
The water absorption is higher compared to ceramic/porcelain tile and natural stone which means they stain more readily. These materials require drying times of 2-3 weeks or even longer depending on installation and are often susceptible to efflorescence, caused by incorrect cleaners and moisture.
Exterior Applications
Water and moisture are the main factors contributing to the decay of installations. Efflorescence (white deposits on the tile surface), mildew, and algae are also direct results of moisture presence. Tile loosening, spalling, blistering, and grout cracking is due to the wet/dry and freeze/thaw cycles.
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QUARRY TILE, TERRA COTTA (Terra Cotta, Saltillo, Brick Paver) | ||||||||
CLEANUP | PROTECTION | MAINTENANCE | REFINISHING | ||||||
PRE-TREATMENT | INITIAL CLEANING GROUT FILM REMOVAL | IMPREGNATORS Penetrate / Little effect on color | *SEALERS Build Coat Enhance Color |
FLOORS | WALLS | FURNITURE | STAIN REMOVAL | STRIPPING | |
QUARRY TILE UNGLAZED / GLAZED |
/ | R155 R155 |
S234 | S235 | P324 R155 |
R155 | R155 R165 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
TERRA COTTA INTERIOR |
S232 S234 |
R155 R165 |
S232 | / | P324 P326 R155 |
R155 | R155 | R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
TERRA COTTA EXTERIOR |
S232 S234 |
R155 R155 |
S232 | / | P324 R155 |
R155 | R155 R165 |
R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
TERRA COTTA RESIDENTIAL KITCHEN / FOOD AREAS |
S232 S234 |
R155 R155 |
/ | P326 P328 P330 |
P324 P326 R155 |
R155 | R155 | R150 R154 R155 |
R155 R154 |
*DO NOT use Sealers in wet areas (showers, pool, surrounds, etc.), for exterior installations, or on polished surfaces. *HMK S235 may be applied to Unglazed Quarry Tile due to its higher porosity. Please test. Residential Applications: “Kitchen / Food Areas”: This recommendation will produce a more protective and visually attractive finish, though has to be performed and periodically cared by a professional. |