For certain types of Cotto, this treatment is  applied  before the material leaves the factory, and the tile is supplied as a finished product (for example LUCE and Aurora are finished tiles).

All other Cotto products are untreated, and the operation of treating and protecting the surface is done on site. This is essential indoors, whereas outdoors it is not necessary and even inadvisable, as it robs  the material of  its  natural breathability and prevents potentially damaging moisture trapped under the floor from evaporating freely.

    Treatment for indoor  is   an  exact   process   involving  certain  distinct  steps:

1. WASHING
2. TREATMENT
3. MAINTENANCE

   The first two steps are carried out generally by the flooring contractors, once only, whereas the third is a simple operation repeated periodically by the user throughout the life of the Cotto surface, and will serve also to keep the floor clean.

   WASHING

This operation is fundamentally important to the success of the following treatment step, and must not be carried out until the bonding interface has dried (20-30 days are needed typically for cement mortar, and 10-15 days for tile adhesive, depending on weather and seasonal conditions).

1. Wet the floor with water and wash down, and then proceed to rub the surface with a Buffered Acid for a few minutes. Be sure to remove all traces  of  lime, cement  or adhesive from the tiles.
2. Rinse the surface thoroughly (until the water runs off clean), and before the floor has time to dry after being cleaned with acid.

TREATMENT

Treatment is  carried out on the floor when dry (the room should be well aired during these operations, even in winter, so that moisture can evaporate more easily); the floor will need between 3 and 10 days to dry after being washed, depending on the season, the type of Cotto and the method of installation.

There are many types of treatment, and no lack of good proprietary products available, traditional and modern alike.

Traditional treatment using  paste wax:

1. Using a sponge or flat brush, spread a first coat of wax (liquid consistency, serving to impregnate and level the tile surface)
2. Wait 24 hours, then apply a more creamy coat of wax, this time working in with a brush to ensure the product is absorbed by the tiles.
3. Wait 48 hours, then apply a second creamy coat of wax.

    Treatment using liquid waxes:

 With these products, the procedure is much simpler than with traditional paste waxes. Liquid waxes are self-levelling and self-polishing water  emulsions  applied  in successive coats  with a brush or  rag (no “elbow grease” required).

    MAINTENANCE

The floor will now need no further treatment, but it can be freshened up periodically, depending on the level of wear and tear, with a  proprietary liquid wax available from stores  everywhere.

For normal cleaning purposes, use neutral detergents or simply wash with clean water.