KNF Mosaic Top Care & Maintenance

• Our mosaic table tops feature hand-cut tiles made of opaque stained glass (durability proven in cathedral windows), marble and or travertine (a timeless and elegant medium). Tiles are then meticulously placed by hand creating designs that range from sophisticated botanicals to classic geometrics.
• Our tops are cast into our proprietary stone blend that creates a matrix of superior durability. We also incorporate environmentally friendly recycled glass beads to provide a lighter-weight composite for simplified handling and delivery, while at the same time enhancing the quality of the finished product.
• Our unique molding process provides perfectly smooth tops and sides, ensuring one never has to endure a sharp edge or jagged piece as is found in common, typically made mosaics.
• When cared for and maintained properly, this rare combination of elegant beauty and lasting durability will enhance and enrich any environment for years to come.

PRODUCT CARE

When cared for and maintained properly, this rare combination of elegant beauty and lasting durability will enhance and enrich any environment for years to come. Sealing mosaic tops regularly, using a metal protector on bases, keeping tops out of freezing temperatures, using mild soaps without abrasives and ammonias to clean tops and bases and handling the tops properly will minimize issues.

Sealing Tops: (detailed instructions below) Our mosaic tops are treated with a penetrating grout sealer before they arrive to you. Sealing helps prevent fading of stone blend, assists in repelling moisture and resists staining. The sealant is crucial as it creates a barrier between your mosaic tabletop and the elements and common use. Tops need to be sealed again 1-2 times each season depending on how severe the conditions and frequency of use- www.randonseal.com Lastiseal Brick & Concrete Sealer / Flat 8 oz sample size

Cleaning Tops: To clean, use a mild dish soap and water with a soft cloth or towel. Never use an abrasive cleaner or product with ammonia; it will strip off sealer potentially causing fading or cracking.

Cleaning & Protecting Bases: (detailed instructions below -303 Aerospace UV Protectant) Washing with mild liquid soap & water & use of a metal protector will assist in the resistance of corrosion.

Weather Restrictions for Tops and Bases: Our tops and bases are suitable for outdoor use. However, we do suggest they not be exposed to consistent freezing temperatures to avoid cracking. Under these conditions we recommend bringing them indoors.

Storing & Handling Tops: When handling a top, make sure to lift and lay on a flat surface. NEVER roll on its side as it will cause irreversible damage. If storing the top on its side is the only option, ensure there is sufficient padding under the top and in between the surface it will lean up against (moving blankets are a great option). If moving inside is not an option; wrap the top tightly with a moving blanket and wrap with plastic wrap. Then place outdoor furniture covers over them. The intention is to not allow any moisture on the table that could freezing and then crack.

 

DETAILED CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Tops Not Attached to Base:  Some mosaic tops have enough weight and are “free floating” tops. If you choose to attach the top to base, we recommend GE Silicone ll Kitchen and Bath 100% Silicone. Simply run a bead of the caulk around the top of the base and then place the top on top. Simple to separate again in the future by using a razor blade to cut through and break the seal.

 Hairline Cracks: The natural expansion and contraction of any cement like product, may cause small hairline cracks to occur in the cement. The contraction may create tiny little stress cracks in the glass tiles as well. This is not uncommon and won’t affect the structural integrity of the top (tiles won’t pop out as they are cast into the cement!). You may fill in the cement areas with grout and seal 24 hours after (instructions below) to restore the top’s original, smooth appearance.

Whitish Film Developed: Efflorescence is a deposit of salts formed on the surface of concrete during the evaporation/curing process and will lessen with time. This natural occurrence will not affect the durability of the product. Re-grouting the top and sides, then sealing 24 hours after, will restore the stone-blend to its original richness.

Metal Chipping or Oxidation: Metal products may exhibit corrosion minimized through occasional maintenance. We recommend cleaning and wiping down furniture along with 303 Aerospace UV Protectant. Normal required maintenance procedure for finish issues consist of: if the chip is down to the metal, we recommend sanding only on the affected area with 400 grit sandpaper and applying a matching color topcoat- touch-up paint may be available through us and your dealer.

A Small Space Developed Around a Tile or Pinholes: When the top is created, there are typically small air bubbles in the concrete. We put a skim coat of grout over the top and sides to fill them in. If they become noticeable over time, you may choose to skim the top with grout again, sealing 24 hours after, to return the top to its original smooth condition.

Stone-Blend/Concrete Fading: Over time, being exposed to harsh environments or improper care, the stone-blend/concrete color may fade a bit. Applying a skim coat of grout over your top and sides, and sealing 24 hours later, will restore the top to its original luster and richness of color.

 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOTH GROUTING AND SEALING

Ensure top is clean, dry and not hot from the sun. Environment should be shaded so top is not exposed to direct, hot sunlight during the sealing and grouting processes.

How to Grout - (Grout Kits available through us directly or your dealer) -

1.Proportional to the size of your top, pour grout in a bucket or bowl and add water to create a paste. If you can pour it, it is too wet- if it crumbles apart, it is too dry.2.Wet sponge with water, squeezing out excess and wipe down table top.3.Use sponge to smear a thin coat of grout over entire top, making sure to wipe around the sides and wrapping slightly around underneath, rubbing in a bit to ensure the coating is evenly distributed.4.Let grout dry approximately 1 minute (not too long or it will be difficult to remove).5.Using clean damp sponge wipe grout from top. Rinse grout off sponge (squeezing out excess water) and wipe grout off top again. Repeat this process until the sponge is relatively clean after wiping the grout off the top (making sure to remove any grout that may have collected on the underside of the top). 6. Buff any remaining grout off tiles using an almost dry sponge or dry cloth.7.Let top sit in an area that will not get wet for 24 hours before sealing.

How to Seal - (LastiSeal Penetrating Brick & Concrete Sealer by Randonseal flat 8oz www.randonseal.com )

1.Soak a damp sponge or cloth liberally with sealer.

2.Wipe the entire tabletop surface, around the sides and underneath. Immediately after, use a dry cloth to buff the tiles dry to keep them shiny and vibrant (you want the sealer to form a barrier on the concrete not the tiles!).