grout film on porous tile
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grout film on porous tile
Using sanded grout (mixed with the additive) on 12" porcelain tiles (the porous kind with all the little cracks and crevices)... put the grout in & wiped up excess with the float, then went over it with the sponge to get nice lines and clean up excess grout, then went back every 20 minutes with a clean sponge to wipe up excess grout/remove the film. i have removed the film from the surface of the tile, but it is seemingly impossible to remove from all the cracks. i have tried a tile sponge, a kitchen sponge, an abrasive sponge, and a hand towel. Nothing I do can remove the film from the cracks. At this point, I have resigned myself to knowing that I can't get it off while it is still "drying" since I started tiling at noon today, and it is now 7pm. I'm looking to all for ideas on what to do to remove it (and ideas of what I could have done to prevent it, since I still have a tub deck to tile with the same stuff!)
Thanks.
Mike
Thanks.
Mike
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but wait, there's more
in addition to the lovely film that is in all the cracks of my tile, the grout color is now drying SIGNIFICANTLY lighter than it was supposed to be. there is one section (between the tile and the tub deck) that looks like it is the right color, and this section may have been sponged less - could that have affected my color? is there any saving it? (sanding? chemicals?)
thanks for the advice.
thanks for the advice.
#3
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You have washed the color out of the grout by sponging it as much as you did. If you arent happy with the color or its inconsistant, you can use a grout colorant to change the color. Google grout colorants and read up on them.
The tile you mention are generally designed such that the grout will fill the crevices. To keep them from filing with grout (if thats the look you like) would require taping them off before grouting or taking for ever to clean them up with tooth picks, nylon brushes and other little tools before the grout cures.
The tile you mention are generally designed such that the grout will fill the crevices. To keep them from filing with grout (if thats the look you like) would require taping them off before grouting or taking for ever to clean them up with tooth picks, nylon brushes and other little tools before the grout cures.
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when i did another bathroom i used an epoxy grout and did not have this problem - is the epoxy grout that different?
i've read a bit on grout colorants and heard a wide range of opinions... some people saying it needs to be done every 1-3 years... some people saying you need to seal the tile before you do it. do you have any thoughts or brand recommendations?
there are "grout film remover" products for sale... would these work for removing the grout from the cracks? what type of timeframe do i have for the toothpick technique before it's too late?
thanks.
i've read a bit on grout colorants and heard a wide range of opinions... some people saying it needs to be done every 1-3 years... some people saying you need to seal the tile before you do it. do you have any thoughts or brand recommendations?
there are "grout film remover" products for sale... would these work for removing the grout from the cracks? what type of timeframe do i have for the toothpick technique before it's too late?
thanks.
#5
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Yes the epoxy grout is very different and you wont have the same issues.
Dont seal the grout first. The colorant will color and seal the grout all in one. The color will last, you dont need to do it every couple years.
You would have had to clean the crevices before the grout cured. You can try a grout haze remover, you have nothing to lose. It'll generally remove haze but wont remove chunks of grout in the crevices if thats what you have.
Dont seal the grout first. The colorant will color and seal the grout all in one. The color will last, you dont need to do it every couple years.
You would have had to clean the crevices before the grout cured. You can try a grout haze remover, you have nothing to lose. It'll generally remove haze but wont remove chunks of grout in the crevices if thats what you have.
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i wish i had realized there would be a difference between the epoxy and the sanded grout - the epoxy grout went so well i thought everything would work the same. crud!
sounds like you are a fan of the colorants... they are easy to put on and you don't end up staining the edges of your tile? i guess my only concern would be coloring the grout would then make all the cracks that have grout in them stick out even more... unuless the grout colourant can be painted on to these as well w/o staining the tile? now THAT would be fantastic!
as for removing it from the cracks, i tried everything BUT a tooth pick while it was still curing. the room is about 200 sq. ft., so that's a lot of toothpicking! i guess i can try a combo of the grout film and nylon brush or 3M pad... or just learn to live with it
sounds like you are a fan of the colorants... they are easy to put on and you don't end up staining the edges of your tile? i guess my only concern would be coloring the grout would then make all the cracks that have grout in them stick out even more... unuless the grout colourant can be painted on to these as well w/o staining the tile? now THAT would be fantastic!
as for removing it from the cracks, i tried everything BUT a tooth pick while it was still curing. the room is about 200 sq. ft., so that's a lot of toothpicking! i guess i can try a combo of the grout film and nylon brush or 3M pad... or just learn to live with it