How to Edge Slate Wall Tile
Sometimes the aesthetic of a room can be altered by subtle changes like the brightness of a light bulb, a shade of paint or the way the edges of slate tile look. While a sharp, natural edge offers a more rugged look, some areas are defined better by a softer, cleaner edge. Edging slate tile on a wall can help you achieve the perfect look for your particular installation. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 4-inch variable-speed grinder (hand-held)
- Polishing pad kit
- Dust mask
- Ear plugs
- Safety glasses
- Rubbing stone (optional)
- Sandpaper (optional)
Instructions
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Use the roughest pad in the polishing kit with a 4-inch hand-held grinder. You start with the roughest pad first because the finer pads are reserved for polishing, not contouring. In addition, if you start off with the finer, softer pads the rough contours of the stone will shred the pads.
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Adjust the speed of the hand-held grinder to a low setting and apply gentle pressure against the edge of the slate. Avoid applying heavy pressure. You do not want to create a dip or too much of an angle along the edge. If you want a slight bullnose edge, simply apply gentle pressure and push the grinder pad along the entire edge at roughly a 45-degree angle. If you require a more rounded edge, rock the pad of the grinder from side to side in a gentle arc as you work your way along the edge, varying from a 25- to 45-degree angle, depending on how much of a curved edge you desire. The more pressure you apply and the more passes you make, the more rounded the edge will be. Start with gentle pressure at first and simply one or two passes. Increase the number of passes if you think you want a more rounded edge.
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Polish the bullnosed edge of the slate using the finer polishing pads in the kit. The softer the surface of the pad, the more sheen the edge will have. If you want a rugged, natural look you should only use the roughest polishing pads and simply smooth out the roughest contours. If you want a polished look, work your way down through the pads from rough to soft. It will take multiple passes with different pads to achieve a polished sheen, such as the surface of polished granite.
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Tips & Warnings
If the area you need to bullnose or add an edge to is fairly small in size, you can use a rubbing stone in conjunction with sandpaper to accomplish the same effect as a polishing kit and 4-inch grinder.
All materials and tools can be purchased or rented from your local home improvement store.
Always wear protective gear when working with a 4-inch hand-held grinder. In addition, open any windows or doors near the area you are working to help with ventilation.
