Polish Marble tile floor

[lloyd&pamela]

How do you polish marble tile floor? Something was spilled on the bath floor and has dulled an area around the shower. Any recommendations?

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

LLoyd, try this.

Marble is stone that is generally polished and used in fine building work, furniture, or decorative art. It may be white or colored. It is porous, and easily stained. Marble is etched by acids. Wipe off anything spilled on marble immediately, as you would on a wood surface. Avoid setting beverage glasses directly on marble as they leave rings.
Marble Furniture - Care and Cleaning

Marble may be stone, but it is porous and stains easily. Wipe off anything spilled on marble immediately, just as you would from a wood surface. Use coasters under beverage glasses to avoid moisture rings.
Regular Cleaning

Occasionally wash marble surfaces with lukewarm water and wipe dry with a clean cloth. Wiping surface with a damp chamois will not leave streaks. Once or twice a year, depending on soil, wash with a mild detergent solution (hand dish-washing detergent and warm water), rinse and wipe dry.

A light coat of wax will protect the surface of marble but is not considered essential. Use colorless wax. Don't wax white marble as it may tend to yellow it. A marble sealer can be applied to clean marble, which will protect from staining and allow soil to be wiped off with a damp cloth.
Special Cleaning

Marble which has become dull can be livened up by using a commercial marble cleaner and polish. Buy from a company that sells marble. Companies generally carry imported polish-cleaners, which are used on softer imported marbles and hence safe for the harder U.S. marble. They work faster and easier than the old "marble care kits" which used to be distributed by marble companies.

Putty powder (tin oxide) can be used to polish dulled or etched surfaces, rubbing on with a damp cloth, folding and refolding to clean damp areas, and preferably using an electric polisher for buffing. However it's very hard to find. Severely damaged surfaces, scratched or etched, can be polished by a business making and selling tombstones or other marble products.
Stain Removal

Make a poultice from white absorbent material such as a napkin, blotter, paper towel or facial tissue, dampened with the chemical recommended below to dissolve that stain; or mix whiting with that chemical to make a soft paste to cover the stain. The poultice should be left on the stain from 1 hour up to 48 hours, depending on the age and depth of the stain. Plastic wrap, held in place by masking tape, can be put over the poultice to keep it damp; otherwise it will have to be re-dampened with the chemical periodically. Mix only enough poultice for immediate use; mix a second batch later if another application is needed.

Organic Stains: Tea, coffee, colors bleached from paper, textiles or soft drinks. Make poultice soaked with 20 percent peroxide (hair bleaching strength) and a few drops of ammonia.

Oil Stains: Oil stains may include butter, hand cream or lotion. As soon as possible, spread surface with an absorbent fine powder such as whiting or even corn starch. After short time brush to remove and reapply more powder. Let stand 24 hours. To remove: Scrub with hot, sudsy (detergent) solution and stiff brush. Or wipe with ammonia-dampened cloth. In either case, then rinse and wipe dry. If these alkaline solutions don't remove all the oil, you can try a solvent. Make a poultice dampened with acetone or amyl acetate (available at drug stores), or with home dry cleaning fluid. Use good ventilation with windows open to remove fumes, do not use near spark or flame, and do not leave on too long.

Rust Stains: Usually the result of metal items such as a lamp, metal container in which plant is placed etc. Use a commercial rust stain remover. Follow directions exactly and do not leave on surface very long as acid in many rust removers can etch the surface.

Acids Fruit juice, carbonated beverages or other acids will etch (remove shiny surface) if allowed to remain on marble. Wipe up acid spill immediately, and wipe surface with wet cloth. If surfaced is etched, polishing may be required.

[lloyd&pamela]

Thank you Jim. That is just what we needed.

[garyde]

Hi Lloyd. Any Tile store should have a good product for cleaning as well as sealing pourous products such as marble.

[lloyd&pamela]

Thanks Gary. Are you coming to TN. How is the bus coming along?

[garyde]

My Liberty is great. However, I believe you are refering to the other Gary who just purchased a Prevost. We met breifly at the FMCA rally in California.
Unfortunately we will not be making the trip to TN. However, I am planning a trip to Pahrump, Nevada.

[lloyd&pamela]

Sorry Gary I did have you confused. I remember you, we walked through the Liberty's together. Thank you for clarifying. Sorry you will not make TN.

Do you remember who was having his XLII siding replaced at Prevost? Thanks.

[garyde]

That would be kevin Erion. when i spoke to him at FMCA he was pushing the Prevost guys to finish so he could get the Coach up to Marathon in Oregon.

[lloyd&pamela]

Thanks Gary.

[Kevin Erion]

Hi Lloyd, Gary and all, Prevost Mira Loma replaced all the side panels, both sides front to back. I then took it to Colberg, Oregon for polish and paint. The polish was finished on Friday and John Sthar is picking it up in the morning to start a complete repaint. After repaint Marathon has a few little things that I would like them to repair and I am flying up on the 7th of May. I will post some pictures when I get it home, you have all viewed the before, AJ took a few when it was on jack stands for cleaning. I am stopping in Sonoma for a race on May 14, 15 on my way home.

[Ray Davis]

Hey Kevin,

Glad to hear that progress is being made. Do I infer from the schedule you won't make it to Pahrump?

Ray

[lloyd&pamela]

Kevin, I know you have to be excited about finally getting the bus back home and out of the shop. Look forward to the photos.