Yes, you can sand certain types of floor tile, particularly ceramic tile, though it's typically done for specific purposes like removing glaze.
While sanding isn't a common or recommended practice for most types of floor tile and their typical maintenance, ceramic tiles can be sanded. This process is usually undertaken to alter the surface finish, most often to remove the glossy glaze.
According to information from August 2nd, 2010, 220 grit is recommended to sand ceramic tiles. The primary goal when doing this is to take the glaze off the tile while still leaving the surface smooth.
Key details about sanding ceramic tile for glaze removal:
- Recommended Grit: Use 220 grit sandpaper.
- Purpose: To remove the glaze from the tile's surface.
- Desired Outcome: The tile surface should remain smooth after the glaze is gone.
- Process: The sanding needs to be a slow and careful process.
- Critical Technique: The trick is to ensure that all the glaze is removed but none of the underlying finish is damaged.
Sanding is not suitable for all tile types, such as natural stone (which is typically honed or polished) or porcelain (which is very hard and uniform throughout). When considering sanding, it's crucial to identify the type of tile you have and understand the specific goal, as improper sanding can damage the tile permanently.
