Optical hazing: solved!
Optical hazing is a widespread problem with polished porcelain tiles, which gives the surface a smudgy or hazy look. It isn't considered a defect, and has no impact on the technical performance of the tile, but for customers it's a huge aesthetic problem. Slique recently worked closely with another industry expert, Colin Cass, to finally devise a unique solution to this previously unsolvable problem.
The cloudy marks on the left are typical of optical hazing. The right side shows the same surface after successful restoration.
Optical hazing is only visible in certain types of low angle light, and only affects polished porcelain tiles – particularly those being produced in China. While the general term for this problem is 'optical hazing', the problem actually takes several forms, including:
Optical hazing: A fuzzy halo seen around certain types of reflected light, also seen as a milky pattern immediately beside low angle reflected sky light.
Shadowing: Permanent dark smudges only visible on tiles in low angle reflected sky light.
Sealer marks: Regular factory processing marks only visible immediately beside low angle reflected sky light.
(Thank you to Colin Cass for these definitions)
For the purposes of this article we’ll use ‘optical hazing’ as a catch-all term.
As optical hazing is only visible in certain lights, the problem usually isn’t identified until after the tiles have been laid. And for the past 5 years that the issue has been evident, it has been considered unsolvable.
This issue has caused many disputes between importers, retailers and home owners, resulting in legal action and payouts.However customers have no real recourse, as optical hazing is not considered a defect. In fact, tiles exhibiting this problem have been classified as ‘first quality’ under existing standards.
At the industry’s Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo last year, two industry experts decided to put their heads together in an attempt to solve this tricky problem.
Colin Cass of Techtile Consulting had access to a number of problem sites that could be used as test areas. Garry Phillips of Slique could provide specialist chemicals and machinery, as well as skilled Technicians adept in testing new processes. Both parties contributed ideas and a wealth of combined knowledge.
Together, they have developed a unique solution to the problem – a solution that is achieving virtually 100% recovery of optical hazing.
The team initially tried four different ideas to solve the problem. Of these, two worked, but one of them was so time-consuming that it wasn’t feasible. The other was a realistic solution that achieved approximately 85% recovery of the problem in the initial test. Further refinement of the process increased this to virtually 100%, with consistency of the polished finish.
This previously unsolvable problem has now been solved, and tiles suffering from optical hazing can now be completely restored.
If you think that you have optical hazing, call your local Slique branch.
