Applying the Remover

• 1). Work on one tile at a time. Be sure that you are wearing goggles to protect your eyes from splatter.
  
  
• 2). Pour varnish remover into a metal paint tray. Do not use a plastic tray, as the varnish remover will melt the plastic.
  
  
• 3). Apply a layer of the varnish remover to the tile with a clean paint brush. The varnish remover should be 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch thick to work properly.
  
  
• 4). Wait 20 seconds for the varnish remover to do its work.
  
  
• 5). Determine the method required to remove the sealant.
  
  

Individual Sealants

• 1). Remove water-based acrylic sealant by scraping the varnish and sealant off the tile with a metal paint scraper. When varnish remover is spread over water-based acrylic sealant, the result is a gel-like substance.
  
  
• 2). Clean up petroleum-based acrylics with a clean terry cloth. Petroleum-based acrylics dissolve when varnish remover is applied. Discard the terry cloths when you are done.
  
  
• 3). Scrape petroleum-based urethanes and alkyds away from the tile with a metal paint scraper. When you apply varnish remover to these sealants, the sealant will blister and peel, and then become a powdery substance.
  
  

Clean Up

• 1). Put all of the debris from the sealant-removal process in a metal waste container. When it has dried completely, discard it with your regular garbage.
  
  
• 2). Dampen a cloth with lacquer thinner. Wipe each tile after removing the sealant and varnish remover. If light spots remain on the tile, scrub them with the cloth.
  
  
• 3). Sweep away any leftover debris and mop the floor completely. Use a solution of 2 to 4 ounces of tile-and-stone cleaner mixed with 1 gallon of water. Make sure the floor is completely dry before you apply a new layer of sealant.