Palm design etched into floor tile

[Al in Kona]

We recently had our floor tiled using a light cream-color-mix PORCELAN tile.  The entry area has an etched palms/island design (see pic below) which doesn't show up very well (not enough contrast) as the etched part is even lighter in color than the enameled cream-color tile itself.  Does anyone know what can be done to help bring out the design so that it's more noticeable?  Perhaps use some kind of stain on the etched area - if so, what kind and what colors might look best?  One idea someone mentioned to me was - why not use an epoxy paint?  I'm open to any ideas anyone might have or if you know anyone who might have some knowledge with this type of thing.  What are the different Pros and Cons?  The very botton of the front entry door is to rear left in the photo.  Thanks for any help.

[Jerry@TreeZoo]

Al,

I hate to be the one to tell you this but they put the palms in upside down.

But seriously, I have never seen this done before so I would be guessing as to any advice.  I assume that the etching removed the porcelan veneer so the etching would probably take a stain and the tiles it would wipe right off.  The stain would also enter the grout, so be careful if you don't want that.  If you do nothing, I am guessing the etched area would darken (dirt stain ) just like the grout will.  You should call whoever did the etching, they will have the best advice.

By the way, it is a cool look.

Geraldo

[Breadfruit Bill]

I second Geraldo's advice, just let it get deer-tay.  I'll darken up a bit.

If you don't like that down the road, you can muriatic acid wash that area and be back at square one.

[Breadfruit Bill]

Sweet etching by the way!

How'd they do that?

[Neofolis]

Unless they have been well sealed since the etching, they will take a stain quite well, as Jerry said.  Generally etching is supposed to give a subtle effect and it looks reasonably clear in the photo, but etching usually has the effect of being more or less noticeable depending on the angle the light is hitting it.  A coloured wax could also be used and would serve to seal the etched area at the same time, but wax is not very durable for floor finishes and would need regular maintenance.  Staining followed by a sealer or varnish would give a more permanent and relatively maintenance free finish.  Whatever happens you should seal it after colouring to maintain your desired colour, otherwise the colour will darken over time.  One way to avoid colour bleeding into the grout would be to silicon over the grout, then remove the silicon afterwards.  Alternatively you can always re-grout.

If you want a decent contrast with the normal tile colour, without it looking out of place, you would probably be best off trying to match the colour of the woodwork in the room as best you can.  Alternatively you could use a colour to match the walls or other decor, if they provide sufficient contract to the tile colour.  This could easily be done using a colour rinse, which would create a more subtle contrast, again prior to a sealing coat.  Colour rinses can be done using the same paint colour, for example, as used on the walls, but thinned with white spirit to aid penetration into the tiles.  It would normally end up lighter than the original paint colour, but can be made darker, as required, by applying extra coats.  Staining can be done with wood stains or dyes, which may need thinning depending on the type or home made stains can be made using things as simple as coffee or tea bags.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Al in Kona]

Jerry, the palm design is not upside down upon entering the house, only when leaving.

 

Since the original thought was to possibly put a stain of some sort on the etched portion, we purposly did not seal it yet.  There's no grout to deal with within the design so I'm not concerened with bleeding.  Our walls are all an egg shell white but as you can see the woodwork is a medium dark color.  

Yes, we'd like a decent contrast but on the subtle side - color suggestions?   What type of stain might be best to use on the etched porcelan surface?  A concrete stain or will the wood stains also work on this type of surface, followed by a good sealer?  What are your thoughts or do you have other suggestions?  

Thanks Corey and others for your thoughts on this project.

[realarch]

Hey Al, you might give the Tile Council of North America a call or check out their website. I know they deal with installation methods and specifications regarding tile, or can tell you where to find the info.

TCA (864)-646-8453, or www.tileusa.com. Just a thought.

Tim

[putu enjula]

Hi Al,

Do you have any extra etched tiles that were not used?  If so, then you could experiment with the color.  Sometimes it is hard to predict how much color a porous surface will absorb.  You may have to dilute a stain.  If you need some help with the project (or need someone to do it), let me know!  I happen to be an artist- I do oil on canvas and work with acrylic too.  I've also done a couple of wall murals. Color-matching is one of my specialties.  I can mix any color to match ANYTHING (I'm not exaggerating either!  )  I'm not sure what kind of stain to use but I have heard of people dying their grout.  You could probably find something at our local Lowe's or Home Depot.

Anyway, I'm serious! Let me know. All it will cost you is a tour of your garden!

Oh, while I'm plugging myself, I might as well add that I also freelance in graphic design

BTW- nice design on the etching!

[Kris]

Dear Al  

iam impressed with the art-manship or the skill of that tile itching worker !

but it would have been better if you have done that art on a large partition glass,than on a floor tile,where usually people tred on it and make it appear dull & dirty...

thanks for the still,

lots of love,

Kris  

[Neofolis]

Al, I'm not familiar with what products are available to you, but woodstains can vary greatly.  Some are very thick and designed as more of an all in one finishing system, other are much thinner and designed purely to affect colour.  The latter would be better, although the former could be used if it was sufficiently thinned.  Products sold as wood dyes, usually fall into the second category the are very thin liquids and could be easily applied with a cloth.  You could use a brush, but I'm a bit of purist in terms of finishing woodwork, so I prefer cloth application and it applies equally to materials other than wood.  If you only have stains that are used as an all in one finishing system, they will probably be classed as matt, gloss or somewhere in between finishes.  Sadolin is an example of this sought of product, sold in the UK.  If you have to use this or similar, you would be best to use a thinned matt finish.  If you don't want a matt finish, you can apply a separate varnish or whatever afterwards, but the matt product would be better suited for staining the tiles.

If you prefer subtle and your walls are white, you could use a white colour wash, which you could build up to the desired intensity of white with more applications.  Obviously the whiter it becomes the greater the contrast with the normal tile colour, but excessively white would stop being subtle and be more difficult to keep looking clean.

Do you have any other colour accents in the room, curtains, soft furnishings, etc., that you could use?

[MattyB]

I was lucky enough to see the etching in person when we visited Al a few months ago.  It's very cool!  I think I suggested to fill the recessed portions with paint, but I like the staining idea of others better now.  The idea that the porous areas will absorb the color and the surface can be wipped off seems logical.

Definately have Angela do it!  She's an awesome artist.  I've only seen a few things she's done but they're real nice.  Maybe Angela can just use some of her extra hair dye she's got lying around.   Seriously, everytime I see her, her hair is a different color.  How do you feel about purple Al?  :laugh:

Show us when it's done Al!

[Kim]

Not an artist here, but...  I kind of like the understated effect of the pale-on-pale etching.  However!  ...I can easily imagine if Angela went after it with her paints, subtle sunset colors behind the palms, aqua blue hints around the island?  It could be quite a different look, a bit more forward, but still subtle.

[bgl]

Al,

I like the understated effect as well, and if you do add some color it should probably be very very subtle.

Not sure if you've been here since we added this design to the concrete pad just below, and in front of, our front lanai. It's exposed to rain and debris etc., so it needs to be cleaned almost on a daily basis (and since this was not my idea in the first place, you guessed it, cleaning it is not my job! ). The design is actually from the front of our t-shirt (a Licuala ramsayi frond).

Bo-Göran