Staining travertine may cover the stone's natural pattern.
The beauty of travertine is the natural patterns that come through in the cut stone. If you plan to stain a travertine floor, you can either tint the grout that you use to set it or by using a tinted sealant to seal the stones. You can also paint travertine, though you will be covering up the pattern that is the material's major appeal.
Instructions
1. Vacuum the floor thoroughly. Clean it with the stone cleanser, scrub brush and water. Dry the floor thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Let the floor dry from 24 hours to up to 72 hours.
2. Apply the sealant with the lamb's wool applicator. If you choose a tinted sealant, you will not need to stain the travertine. If you choose a clear sealant, it will protect the travertine from the stain or paint seeping into the stone so that you can reverse the process at some point in the future. Allow the sealant to fully dry.
3. Tape the tiles so that the grout is protected from the stain or paint you will apply. You may need to cut the painter's tape to a narrow enough strip to cover only the grout or you could also tape off individual tiles at different points in the floor and paint them in stages so that the grout is protected.
4. Apply the stain or paint with brushes or rollers. Allow it to thoroughly dry before applying a second coat, if needed. Remove the tape once the paint is fully dry.
