How to Restore Victorian Floor Tiles
- 1). Sand the surface of the tiles with your belt sander and medium sandpaper. Don't try to sand off the whole top layer; just get the tiles dull and clean. They should end up looking less shiny than they were, but otherwise the same.
- 2). Scrub down the tiles with a solution of 1 cup of trisodium phosphate to 1 gallon of warm water. Rinse-mop the floor very well. Let it dry for 24 to 48 hours.
- 3). Spread a coat of polyurethane over the tiles, using a paint brush. Brush it on tile by tile, keeping the polyurethane very thin and even, and avoiding the formation of bubbles. Let the polyurethane set for 48 hours.
- 4). Dull the surface of the dried polyurethane with extra-fine sandpaper, using quick, small strokes until it turns slightly milky. Wipe up the dust. Re-apply a second layer. Let it dry for 48 hours.
- 5). Dull the surface of the second layer of polyurethane in the same manner as before. Clean up the dust. Brush on a third and final layer of polyurethane. Let it set for another three to four days before using the floor.
