Dan
Supportive Member
So I am looking for a little help to identify this stone and find a solution to removing the etched footprints. I know its a natural stone and the finish is course and flat. Thanks for the help and education:
Footprints etched in stone floor
- Thread starter Dan
- Start date
Cameron DeMille
Member
I'm 99% sure that's porcelain. I can't be certain from the photos, but there are a few things that are red flags for me that say it isn't stone.
If it is porcelain, and it's actually etched, you're in deep poo poo.
Ammonium biflouride will etch porcelain and ceramic, and is sold as "Amazing" carpet cleaner/rust remover, and I'm sure goes by many other names. The tiles will have to be replaced, as this is a printed finish porcelain and not a through body.
If it is porcelain, and it's actually etched, you're in deep poo poo.
Ammonium biflouride will etch porcelain and ceramic, and is sold as "Amazing" carpet cleaner/rust remover, and I'm sure goes by many other names. The tiles will have to be replaced, as this is a printed finish porcelain and not a through body.
Dan
Supportive Member
Luckily I did not make this problem. What are the indicators that make you think its porcelain? When I looked at it the edges are very square cut with no rounding or color change. No pattern in the room that I could pick up on. The entire surface "looked" as if it were concrete that had been sandblasted lightly with a dull finish across the entire floor. Customer used Goof Off and Vinegar to try to remove the foot prints. The footprints are now a whiter brighter area of the floor.
Here is another view.
and this is an ajacent room which I'm 100% positive is porcelin.
Here is another view.
and this is an ajacent room which I'm 100% positive is porcelin.
Louis
Supportive Member
What causes this? I had this happen at a store in the mall. I was using pros choice stone cleaner. What can you clean with if stone cleaner does this.
Mikey P
Administrator
Just looking at the pics on my phone..
Are you sure those arnt just clean spots?
Try some stripper in a corner..
Are you sure those arnt just clean spots?
Try some stripper in a corner..
Dan
Supportive Member
Yea, you can see the boot pattern in the top picture. I will see if I can get some better pictures tomorrow.
mirf
Supportive Member
did you try to test with acid product in a corner?
Shane Deubell
Supportive Member
- Joined
- Jun 30, 2011
- Messages
- 4,052
Do they know where they bought it?
I would stop by a couple tile stores nearby, one of them might carry it.
We have some commercial jobs that look exactly like that and its porcelain .
But, but we can be tricked sometimes.
I would stop by a couple tile stores nearby, one of them might carry it.
We have some commercial jobs that look exactly like that and its porcelain .
But, but we can be tricked sometimes.
Mikey P
Administrator
Im guessing dirty porcelain, the shoe print is not an etch but a clean spot.
Cameron DeMille
Member
I'm with Mikey. I am looking at it on a bigger screen this morning. That floor looks filthy. They've been mopping it, you can see the dirt caked up on the edges of the tile, down in the grout joints. Also, the second pic you posted (of the original floor) is a dead giveaway that it's porcelain.
Dan
Supportive Member
So I just spoke with my customer and they are trying to locate any extra pieces but they are also saying its stone. I'm gonna see what they come up with in their search. I am not the greatest at identifying all sorts of different flooring and I really respect the thoughts and opinions coming from Cameron and Mikey. I also hope Mikey is correct but my pictures are not doing must just on the material, damn iphone.
Cameron DeMille
Member
1. Take a utility knife and try to scratch it in the corner of the room. If the knife scratches it, it's stone. If it doesn't and just leaves a metal mark, or no mark, it's porcelain
2. Take some cleaner. Any alkaline or tile cleaner and clean a section. Use a rag or soft brush.
You'd be surprised how many people don't know what kind of floor they have.
2. Take some cleaner. Any alkaline or tile cleaner and clean a section. Use a rag or soft brush.
You'd be surprised how many people don't know what kind of floor they have.
Dan
Supportive Member
If they don't come up with a sample the alkaline was my thought process too. Thanks for the knife tip I will also try that.
Dan
Supportive Member
No luck on the sample piece. I'm going to peel the carpet at a thresh and look at the tile edge and go from there and plan B is alkaline cleaner.
Dan
Supportive Member
And knife scrapping...
Mikey P
Administrator
quite fvcking around and just clean it Dan.
It's porcelain.
It's porcelain.
Vivers
Supportive Member
Looks dirty and just needs a clean I believe.
dealtimeman
Everyday is Saturday.
Either way porcelain or stone, hit it with alkaline and be a hero!
Kevin B
Member
Why not just pull a floor register, look to see if its stone, apply alkaline and clean with a spinner and be a hero 
Dan
Supportive Member
Why not just pull a floor register, look to see if its stone, apply alkaline and clean with a spinner and be a hero
Registers are on the walls. Going out today and that's the plan. I will be also cleaning all the tile and grout not just this one area.
Cameron DeMille
Member
Holy mother of christ. If it's not porcelain, I'll mail you a check for $100.
It's not stone.
It's not stone.
Mikey P
Administrator
well Dan, were Cameron and I right?
Dan
Supportive Member
Nope
Dan
Supportive Member
Mikey P
Administrator
You sound disappointed....lol
Dan
Supportive Member
Lol... Nope, happy it all worked out. Thanks for the swift kick in the ass.
Cameron DeMille
Member
he wanted the $100 
Cameron DeMille
Member
It's all about the lighting. get natural light on stone and it's a dead giveaway. The patterns are getting pretty good in the manufactured product, but you should be able to tell within 3 seconds by looking across the surface with light on it.
dealtimeman
Everyday is Saturday.
It takes me almost 4 seconds, I will strive to get better, I promise.
