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A fiend ask me how to remove cured gout from the face of floor tile. It seems her husband did not wipe off the excess when he grouted the new Kitchen floor. Anyone know of a cleanser the won’t destroy the glaze, but will remove the grout mess? I’ll get product info if needed.
Dave
Replies
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How much did he leave on the tile? An acid wash per dilution instructions will lift a haze that's on tile. Any more and she should consult the distributor of the tile/grout for advice. Looks like she married the wrong guy. Best of luck.
*Bon-Ami?
*It must have been a lot. She said she tried steel wool but was afraid she would scratsh the glaze. Both are in thier mid twenties. they were trying to save some $ by doing some of the work themself on thier new home I think. Looks like it might not have saved them, huh? Dave
*Uh-oh. This reminds me of a phone call I got one night. The guy's first word is, "Help", I kid you not. He says he grouted his tile floor, waited two days per mfg's instructions and then started to wipe up the excess. Only it didn't wipe up. Oops.We could go on and on about what should be done and with what materials but it would be so much better to consult with someone in the area, someone who could take a look. See, it's important to know exactly what kind of tile, what kind of glaze, etc. (Ex: someone here suggests a chemical and it penetrates the non-viterous body of the tile and creates a blemish which can be seen through the glaze. Or an acid wash produces fumes which etches the metal face on that brand new SubZero.)Happy New Year everyone.
*If the guy mixed the grout with water only there's hope and muratic acid will clean it up pretty good. If the guy used epoxy or some other hardner to mix the grout it is very difficult to get off, the thicker the grout on the tile, the harder to get off.
*If it's a small area, I'd tear it up (or if there's room lay another layer on top) and wipe up the grout this time.If it's a big area, I'd probably try 50% muriatic acid, gloves, glasses, lots of fresh water to rinse with, and be ready for some roughened tiles.If it's just a film, maybe you can get a tile sealer that will add a little shine and call it "no slip" tile.
*Ryan, No slip is great. It's a feature, not a mistake. Joe H
*Try the following:Sharp edge of a Piece of hardwood to scrape excess grout off. Scrotch brites, lot's of them and elbow grease. As said before, Muriatic acid, 50%. I don't think glaze on the floor tile would scratch with reasonable care. V
*Per Vic's method (8.0) be certain to not use dyed or colored scrubbing pads as the color from these will discolor the grout. Also, depending on the tile, the glaze will scratch. Using the wood block with an edge is a good idea but the trick is to remove only what you want to remove and trying to avoid pitting or gouging the joints.Hey, how 'bout all that money Brant "saved"?
*Hydroment tile products make a cleaner named REMOVE for grout. It works pretty well, but you still nedd lots of elbow grease. I have also had good results with a jitterbug and scothbrite pads
*Try using a cheap wood chisel [held at a low angle] to chip the excess grout off. Then a careful application of HCl to get the rest off. He should have protected the tiles with masking tape first. If all else fails, a .50 cal. machine gun is the latest wondertool.
*Use a belt sander with large grit.If that doesn't work, get a hand grinder and go to it.Lastly, just leave it and enjoy it as is. Walking on it will eventually wear the grout off.blueps just kidding on all three.pss the above disclaimer is offered because someone probably would take my advice!
*Any left over tiles laying around?? Try whatever "cleaner" is to be used on one of the extras to be sure it doesn't damage the tile.Rich Beckman
*Muratic acid will do the trick. You have to be very careful with it though. Open the windows, plenty of ventilation, rubber gloves, be carful not to get it on anything else. Maybe even a respirator. Lots of elbow grease with a course nylon sponge. Check with your local Home Depot style store.Rinse with plenty of water and then rinse it again and then once more.
*It looks like the muratic acid 50/50 did the trick. She said she lost a little grout out of the joints, but would regrout them. Hubbie had to help scrub and rinse and rinse and rinse...She said many thanks to all, and blue a 50 caliber is way to heavey for her to handle! thanks agianDave
*Dave, remind her to maybe give you a call b/4 they tackle the next project.
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A fiend ask me how to remove cured gout from the face of floor tile. It seems her husband did not wipe off the excess when he grouted the new Kitchen floor. Anyone know of a cleanser the won't destroy the glaze, but will remove the grout mess? I'll get product info if needed.
Dave