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refinishing and restoring black slate tile

6 years ago

Usually I come to Houzz for advice, and so many have been generous with help I thought I should "give back" by sharing a some solutions myself. One of which would be restoring black slate tile.

I have two rows of flat black slate tile in front of my fireplace that were spotted and faded and looked terrible. I tried various methods to clean and restore, to no avail. Finally tried black shoe polish, the kind that comes in the little flat tin. Rubbed it into the tiles with a rag, avoiding the grout, and buffed off the excess. It was like a miracle! This was over 5 years ago and my black slate tile has looked great ever since.

Best of luck with your home challenges!

creekgirl

Featured Answer

Troy Filson

4 years ago

Copped = suffered, received something negative. Ex: He copped a mean right hook.

In other words, my tiles were victim of someone cleaning them improperly, prior to us owning the place.

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Comments (11)

Denita
6 years ago
What a great idea! Thank you. I have a client of mine with slate tile that needs a refresh and this tip will really help.
SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
Thanks for sharing. Now...if someone SITS on or places anything on the slate, is their COLOUR transfer?
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We recently installed 1400 s.f. of slate flooring for a client (historical home). We sourced the slate and requested samples from two suppliers in Vermont: http://www.vtslate.com/flooring.htm http://www.vermontstructuralslate.com/ Note that Vermont Specialty Slate (first one above) has 2 more options not on website: Heathermoor and Greyson. Ordered from Vermont Specialty once selection was made. We fabricated much of the slate to the specific sizes we needed for the complex pattern. You would need to fabricate as well to replicate your pattern. Your installer can determine what sizes and quantity of each size to minimize fabricating labor and waste. A very good tile contractor should be up to this task (research well). Our cost was $11.25/s.f. plus freight, but prices vary depending upon the selection. Note that fabrication labor adds to your cost. As stated above, sealer can be applied to create the polished finish. And yes, a stone restoration contractor can clean and restore the current slate. A company like this: http://www.nsmarble.com/ but obviously one local to you. Great floor. Keep it. Best of luck.
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This may sound weird, but what about incorporating some black? Such as painting your built in units black and using some black furnishings to tie in some of the dark points in the slate. I might be off base here but it just might work! Also, the gray/blue on the walls might be pulling some of the purple out in the floors. Perhaps try a warm white on the walls. Good luck!
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lindac92
6 years ago
Most likely...I have seen wood trying to pass as ebony darkened with shoe polish...and the color rubs off.
the same shine could be accomplished with a good paste wax.
creekgirl
Original Author
6 years ago
You should really rub it in, and wipe excess off with a clean cloth. The same thing you would do if you used black shoe polish on your shoes or handbag. I think it is Kiwi black shoe polish I used, the flat can available at grocery stores. It did not produce a high shine on my slate, more like the original eggshell or satin finish. I had no problems with it rubbing off. In my opinion, it works perfectly.
Troy Filson
4 years ago
My black slate is in a shower as the floor tiles. Bad building choice in my opinion, but looks good otherwise. It has copped someone cleaning it with harsh chemicals, so I wonder if this fix would work for me.
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
Sorry I'm a little confused over the statement.

Can you elaborate on 'copped'?
Troy Filson
4 years ago
SJ Mc, do you have any advice or were you simply getting clarification?
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
Clarification. "Copped" isn't a word seen on the N. American continent. One of the few ways we see the word used is "to cop a feel". Which can't be readily translated in your usage.

A photo of what you are speaking of would certainly help. Slate can be damaged many ways. Without knowing what you are looking at, we are as much in the dark as you are.
HU-338834568
3 years ago
I have an 8x8 area to cover. How to do avoid getting the polish on the grout lines?
HU-45371613
3 years ago
Sre black slate is built up on the hearth on each side for sitting with pillows in back like bench seating. Do you still recommend shoe polish? It won't come off on clothing or to slippery

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