Crazy idea? Painting Indian Peacock slate to bring it back to life.

[mike]

We have a beautiful Indian Peacock slate corridor in the school I'm at. Over time the sealer has worn away in some places and underneath is dull and lacks the original pattern.

I wonder if it might be possible to "touch up" that slate which has been revealed - we tried different shades of shoe polish, that did not work. It wouldn't stick to the slate. But what about oil paints or something else.

If we succeed witht the touch up, we will seal it again and it will be good for a few more years.

Mike

[Joseph Meehan]

Why not clean it and use a commercial sealer?

[Norminn]

I don't know what "Indian Peacock" slate is, but it seems color would be restored if it is cleaned and similar sealer used???? Is the peacock painted on? Hope you didn't use wax polish :o)

FWIW, I have painted concrete to hide stains caused by spilled wood stain. Fairly good results using hobby acryllic paint, but doubtful it would be good on a floor with significant traffic. Probably would soak into slate a bit, but would not attempt it without trying out on scrap first.

[Goedjn]

It's a tiling slate with varying amounts of red mottling, from India. Painting it is a bad idea. If it's not split-face, then polishing might help, after which you'd coat it with this goop: