Sealing Travertine

[Jann]

We have installed a smooth natural finish 18X18 travertine tile in our living room and kitchen.  We applied Aqua Mix Sealant and then groated.  We liked the high gloss look of the travertine when it was wet.  What product would you recommend for the final coats of sealant to obtain a higher gloss finish and is safe for travertine.  I understand that we should allow the groat to COMPLETELY dry (days) before we apply the sealant and should apply two coats???  We were also told that in the future (3-5 years) when we go to seal it again we will have to use the same "brand" is that correct.  We are trying to avoid any large headaches in the future also.  Thank you!

[Mark D.]

In our line of work a sealer does not polish the stone. It seals and protects it, but does not cause it to shine. Any sealer that gives a shine is only a temporary fix. You should polish the stone with a stone polish like Diaglo. Here is the link:
http://www.defusco.com/diaglo-marble-1qt-p-1455.html

Use this product with water to form a paste and buff the stone until you have the desired gloss. Depending on the area you are working on you can use a felt wheel on a grinder or a janitor's buffing machine.
Once you have the desired gloss level, wash thoroughly and allow to dry, then seal it with either Hydrex (if you want an invisible sealer) or with Ager (if you want a color enhancing sealer). If you choose Ager buff it again after sealing it as it is a resin based sealer and will give your stone a permanent "wet" look (think of you sidewalk, then think of the same sidewalk 20 minutes after it stops raining...a deeper darker richer color. Although travertine won't darken as much as a concrete sidewalk does, I think you get the idea).

Here is the link for Ager:
http://www.defusco.com/ager-liter-p-1437.html

Here is the link for Hydrex
http://www.defusco.com/tenax-impregnator-and-sealer-liter-p-2095.html

Glad to be of service,
Mark