Sealing a new slate hearth. Or just use slate oil

dominoman

I've just installed a new slate hearth for a fireplace with a log burner stove.

The slate looks great but I've been told it needs to be sealed before I do the grout between the two slate slabs in the hearth?

When I first laid it I used WD40 on it and it looked great. But now I'm worried that the sealer will either not take well or will repel the slate oil after

JP08

I've always used linseed oil to seal slate.

As to you question about the grout taking, I don't know. Gut feel is that it won't take to an oiled edge, but if you don't seal first you'll never get the grout off the top surface.

Can you carefully seal the surface up to the edge, grout, then a quick wipe over the joint with the oil afterwards ?

dominoman

Yes - That's what I was thinking to do.

1. Clean the existing WD40 off as well as I can using soap and water
2. Seal
3. Grout
4. Use oil to bring out the colour

The problem is the sealant says it repels oil and stops oil stains. I actually don't want that - so am wondering whether I even need to seal, or will the existing oil alone stop the grout sticking to the top surface.