What is Tile Resurfacing?

Simply put, tile resurfacing is the process of overlaying a concrete surface or other surfacing material over tile. Like concrete resurfacing, floor and wall tile resurfacing reduces the costs associated with removing the old surface material. With Semco FL’s resurfacing products, there is no need to demo, grind, drill, just clean the tile and apply the resurfacing product.

Does Tile Resurfacing Work?

Whether tile resurfacing will work or not is dependent on the type of resurfacing materials and products you choose to use. The number 1 reason why tile resurfacing does not work is that the resurfacing materials used are of subpar quality and do not create a strong bond with the tile surface. A good tile resurfacing product will have a molecular bonding technology that creates a mechanically interlocking bond.

Is Tile Resurfacing different from tile refinishing? nn

Yes. Tile refinishing involves removing the old tile glaze, applying a spray coating and reglazing the original tile. The old tile remains and is given a renewed luster. But reglazing requires the use of dangerous chemicals that are toxic, so use caution if you plan to refinish and reglaze. Tile resurfacing, on the other hand, completely covers the old tile without removal or toxic chemicals. The new surface is seamless and can come in many colors and textures.

Can I resurface my wall tile?

Yes. Semco resurfacing products can resurface floor and wall tiles.

How long does tile resurfacing last?

How long tile resurfacing lasts depends on what material is used. A resurfacing product for tile that uses mechanically interlocking molecular bonds like X-Bond Seamless Stone can last many years into the future, roughly 15 or so years before any wear occurs.

What kind of tiles can I resurface?

Semco tile resurfacing products give you the ability to resurface many types of tile including ceramic, porcelain, cement, marble, limestone, granite and mosaic.

Table of Contents

Tile Resurfacing Kit Install Instructions

Do it Yourself Tile Resurfacing Kits – Resurface tile floor without removal

Tile Resurfacing Guide Overview

You might ask why you might even need a tile resurfacing guide. Don’t you just spray paint on the tile and call it a day? Actually, no, our system is a permanent solution to outdated tile and stone that doesn’t just create a thin layer on top. It completely hides the grout lines and creates a new high end seamless finish used by the rich, famous…and the practical! If these steps look too tricky then contact us and we can connect you with one of our certified Semco installers. This tile resurfacing guide is divided into the following 3 parts:

Surface Preparation – Clean the surface to be applied and protect adjacent surfaces
Seamless Stone Application – Apply the varying microcement coats to ensure a strong bond, correct shape and finish coloring and textural effects
Sealing – Protect the surface and provide the desired sheen

1. Surface Preparation

Surface Preparation Step 1: Remove Debris and Adjacent items

Remove loose debris, dirt, soap scum with a scraper. Remove adjacent fittings and fixtures, if practical.

If there is foreign material between the tile and Semco it will inhibit the bond and could create
delamination over time. Semco bonds really well but this is no excuse to apply it to a dirty surface.

Surface Preparation Step 2: Clean surface using 3 step cleaning process

Get the surface damp, spray cleaner and rinse surface between each cleaner
Example in video is over concrete (auto-scrubber not needed on tile, can be done by hand with a plastic bristle brush)

Surface Preparation Step 3: Mask edge of work and protect adjacent surfaces

Semco bonds to almost anything so be sure to protect any adjacent metal, wood, plastic, toilets, sinks and tile that is not being resurfaced
Semco is water based so if you accidentally got it on something it can be cleaned off while it is still curing. Once it has cured it gets as hard as stone.

2. Seamless Stone Application Steps

Seamless Stone Part 1: Scratch Coat

1 part liquid to 2 parts stone – Apply primer and scratch coat to create permanent bond to the tile and grout (pour stone in container when measuring, do not pack down)

Use a mud trowel to assist with walls, apply the scratch coat horizontally to promote bonding
Tools – Mixing paddle, mixing bucket, mixing cups, hand broom
If you have never applied it before you may want to try to experiment troweling it on a sample board to get familiar with it
Variations in pressure, distance of the sweep of your hand and the angle of the trowel all create different visual effects
Consistency is the key to a good finish. This is less important on the coats underneath than the final coats.

Semco Scratch Coat Installation Instructions

Seamless Stone Part 2: Brown Coat

Apply brown coat to fill grout joints, voids and surface irregularities
The brown coat can be up to 6″ thick and is used to create the rough shape.
If you are going over a smooth substrate like wood or concrete a brown coat is not used.
Brown coat is particularly helpful over tile because it doesn’t shrink when it cures so it fills grout lines easily.

Seamless Stone Part 3: Skim Coats

Apply two skim coats, sand between coats for a smoother surface.
This is a thinner mix than the brown coat and should be similar to pancake batter.
If it is too thick and feels like mud then you put too much Xbond stone in.
If it is too thin and feels water then you put too much Xbond liquid in.
The final skim coat shows the final finish before sealer is applied.

Final Step: Sealer Application

Allow the final seamless stone coat at least 10 hours to dry before applying sealer
The sealer can be sprayed or rolled.
Spraying provides a better finish but be careful or you can create drips on walls
On walls spray from the bottom up to reduce chance of drips.
Apply 3 coats of sealer for maximum protection and a minimum of 2 coats