Sealing ceramic tiles can change the look and sheen of the ceramic tile installation. . . Dull looking ceramic tiles can look shiny and new again.

 

 

Many times people want their ceramic tiles to look shiny or have a matte type of reflective finish.  A topical sealer is the best way to make ceramic tiles have a glossy looking reflective appearance.  There are many issues that must be considered first before applying a topical sealer to a ceramic tile installation.

Ceramic tiles are extremely non porous tiles that will not absorb any types of dirt, grease, spills and stains.  This non porous surface of ceramic tiles makes them extremely easy to clean and maintain.  Also ceramic tiles will not be etched or damaged by any types of alkaline or acidic cooking or cleaning products.  Applying a topical glossy sealer to ceramic tiles will make cleaning and maintaining the ceramic tiles more difficult and costly over time.

The only type or topical sealer that can be applied to ceramic tiles to make them shiny is a water based topical sealer.   Topical sealers for tile come in glossy or matte finishes.  The most popular type of topical sealer is the glossy type of topical sealer.  Topical sealers are not designed for non porous ceramic tiles but they are still often used on ceramic tiles to give the tiles some type of sheen or shine.  Over time the topical sealer will get dirty and scratched over time and then the sealer will need to be stripped and reapplied.  There is also a risk that the topical sealer will not adhere to the non porous ceramic tiles so you should test the sealer on an out of the way tile first before applying it to the entire tile installation.

 

 

It is important to clean the tiles an grout first before sealing them.  Any dirt or contaminates that are on the tile surfaces will become trapped under the glossy sealer.

You should use a clean dry microfiber mop or some type of thick bristled paint brush to apply the topical glossy sealer.   It is important for the sealer applicator to be able apply an even coat of sealer to the surface of the ceramic tiles.  The applicator must also be able to pull the sealer out of the grout lines so that pools of sealer do not settle in the grout lines.  A thin even coat of sealer will provide the best looking most durable type of finish.  If a more glossy appearance is desired a second or third thin coat of sealer can be applied to increase the glossiness of the sealer application.  Thick coats of sealer that pool up on the tiles or in the grout lines will not dry properly and the sealer will crack where it is applied to thick. 

A topical glossy sealer will have a milky white appearance when first applied to the ceramic tiles.  A little bit of sealer will go a long way especially when sealing non porous tiles such as ceramic tiles.  It is important to evenly coat the tiles and grout with the sealer and try to not make many sealer bubbles while applying the sealer.   If there are too many bubbles on the surface of the tiles then not all of them will disperse an this can cause deformations in the glossy sealer application.  Use the micro fiber mop or paint brush to evenly distribute the sealer over the tile and grout and do not allow puddles or pools of sealer to accumulate on the tiles or in the grout lines.

 

 

You should allow the sealer to dry for approximately 20 minutes before applying a second or third coat of sealer.  It is important that the sealer is not still wet and can be walked on without damaging the sealer application before applying a second or third coat of sealer.  Also you do not want to allow the sealer to fully cure over a few hours before applying additional coats of sealer.  It is generally not recommended to apply more than three coats of glossy sealer to ceramic tiles.  Too many layers of sealer can start to crack and not properly adhere to the preceding layers of sealer that have already been applied.  You will not gain much by applying additional coats of sealer because the topical sealer will not be any stronger or have any increase in gloss with more than three layers of sealer.

 

 

After applying the last layer of sealer you should allow the sealer to dry for at least 4 hours before walking on the ceramic tile surface.  The glossy sealer will fully cure in 48 hours so it is best to not clean or spill anything on the surface of the ceramic tiles before the sealer has fully cured.

Applying topical sealers can sometimes be difficult to get an even looking appearance without any dull or uneven looking places in the sealer application.  You may want to consider hiring a tile and grout cleaning and restoration contractor to apply the topical glossy sealer to your ceramic tiles for you. 

You can read some valuable information and tips on how to hire a tile, grout and stone cleaning and restoration contractor at our contractor information page Tile and Grout Cleaning and Restoration Contractor.