TECHNICAL ADVICES

MARMERIA

LAYING. Laying Boxer marbles is extremely simple since it can be done

with both mortar and suitable adhesives easily found on the market. To this

end, read the following comparison table.

Also the subsequent grouting can be done with cement grout or with special

fillers for joints. We recommend you finish the joints using a simple moistened

sponge or a rag when they are still fresh in order to both get the best aesthetic

effect and eliminate residue of grouting material on the marble.

CLEANING. Marble cleaning is a necessary operation, above all after laying,

so as to eliminate the thin layer of dust naturally present or that deposits on

the marble’s surface during the laying.

Marble is a natural product composed of calcium carbonate crystallised

over the centuries.

In consideration of this chemical composition, use of any acid detergent

is absolutely unsuitable since, in actual fact, these components attack the

marble, increasing its natural microporosity and consequently augmenting

the chance that dirt will deposit on the surface.

For the same reason abrasive detergents that create invisible scratches

are also ill-advised. Lastly, the use of soaps that form opaque patinas as a

secondary effect are also unsuitable.

Not only do they reduce the marble’s aesthetic effect, but they also tend

to capture grime. The best solution therefore proves to be the use of a

low-residue neutral detergent, which must be diluted in warm clean water,

to be applied with clean cloths or sponges.

TREATMENT. When you are sure that the marble is perfectly dry after

washing, it is a good idea to treat it. There are two good reasons for carefully

carrying out this procedure (not necessarily by professional installers; the

final private user can easily do it): a) it revives and maintains the natural

colours of the stone, and b) with its impregnating effect, it protects the

marble against any possible stains due to accidental drops of oil, coffee,

etc. We recommend using products made by well known chemical industries

normally available on the market.

Treating marble does not present any difficulties: spread the chosen product

on the surface to be treated with a clean brush or sponge, distributing it

uniformly and avoiding any product build-ups. Let it dry and then, if necessary,

spread another treatment layer, especially in the spots where the marble’s

greater porosity caused the product to be almost totally absorbed.

The need to apply another layer of treatment even within a few short weeks

is to be considered absolutely normal, again due to the varying absorption

characteristics of the various marbles. It is also a good idea to repeat the

treatment operation periodically (every six months/year) so as to keep the

colours bright and the level of absorption of liquids low.

Lastly, we wish to inform our customers that Boxer supplies samples for the

showroom that have already been treated with wet impregnating treatment

in order to make the material’s chromatic effects more highly visible and

better defined, whilst the product for sale is NOT supplied treated because

a) the type of treatment is the final customer’s choice based on his own

personal tastes and b) it is opportune to treat the marble after the laying

stage and subsequent cleaning.

All of the information above is based on the practical experience of Boxer’s

collaborators, but is provided without specific Boxer guarantees since it

is correlated to each specific case and to the specific knowledge of the

professionals doing the job.

EPOXY BICOMPONENT SEALANT VS

CEMENT-BASED SEALANT

EPOXY BICOMPONENT

CEMENT-BASED

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES

1.

Aesthetics

and the

exclusive

colour range.

1.

Cost.

1.

Low cost.

1.

Limited/dated

aesthetics,

technologically

surpassed.

2.

Cutting-edge

technology

as it is characterised

by extremely

low water

absorption, optimum

chemical resistance

and anti-mildew/

stain-proof

properties.

2.

Time required

for application and

cleaning.

2.

Easy to apply.

2.

Poor colour range

and effects.

3.

No shrinkage

or efflorescence. No

cracks

or crazing.

3.

It colours natural

stones (in relation

to their absorption),

creating a darker

streak on the surface

and streaks along

the edges in the case

of light stones (a

darker grout is not

recommended).

3.

It does not colour

natural stones and

does not create

streaks around the

edges.

3.

Subject to

possible water

absorption, stains,

efflorescence,

mildew.

4.

It can be used

as an adhesive and

grout.

4.

In case of

high-basic cement

based glue

(not grout), some

erosion of the back

screened glass chips

may occur.

5.

When grouting

natural stone,

the epoxy resin

penetrates

the porosity making

the surface

water-repellent.

This means that the

stones

do not need

to be pre-treated.

www.boxer.it 123