Dull dirty tile

[davem]

Hi everyone,
I got this question via email on the Tile Your World website. Please help this person out! :)


Hello!


We have a ceramic tile in our house (about 1,500 sq.ft of tile) that looks
very dull. It almost looks "dirty". What would you recommend we do to
change that look?

Thank you very much for your help.

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[bbcamp]

You didn't tell them to move, didja? :D

[kemguru]

Hi :D

How old is the tile?

Has any type of sealer been applied, that you know of?

How about a “Mop N Glow” wax?

Is it “dirty” throughout, or more so in high traffic areas?

What have you used to clean/restore it so far? Any progress?

[beauquis]

The tile is only one year old and has looked dull from day one. It has been sealed but no wax products have been used. And moving is NOT an option right now.
Thank you very much for your help.

[doitright]

Hi Beauquis :) , Welcome

Do you have a 1st name you're willing to let loose on the open market here? ;)

Can you give us more details on the floor? Glazed, what color, porceleain, are you the original owner, do you have a new sample to compare it to, size, type of grout used (epoxy or cement) etc......

Any way to post a picture?

What was it sealed with?

What, anything have you tried to clean with?

All this info will help! :nod:

[John Bridge]

It could be grout haze, I suppose. :)

[kemguru]

Yep :D

That’s why we need to know what was used for cleaning. I’d bet an acidic tile and grout cleaner was used.

But if it’s sealed, the seal could have interfered with the acid.

That’s why we need to know what seal was used. :)

[beauquis]

My name is Catherine and I am very grateful that you guys are willing to hear our sad tile story and try to help.
We had our house built in 2002. After the ceramic glazed tile was installed, we noticed that it was dull and looked dirty. The grout coloring was not uniform so they laid down a grout colorant sealer(Aqua Mix) The builder had their crew clean the tile several times before we moved in (not sure what they used) but it never really improved.
We then applied a TileLab Gloss Sealer & Finish to the ceramic tile that Home Depot suggested. It did not penetrate and left a glossy streak on the tile. We stripped the finish with a TileLab Stripper and now we are back to a dull look.
PLEASE help...

Thank you!

[John Bridge]

Catherine,

Do an experiment. Try using a solution of vinegar and water mixed 50/50 in an out-of-the-way spot. You'll have to do a little scrubbing with a brush or plastic pot scrubber. Rinse the area well with clean water and allow it to dry. Let us know how it comes out. :)

[kemguru]

Hi Catherine :)

I agree…try the vinegar solution. If it looks like the vinegar is doing something, but not quite cutting it, step up to a stronger product. Next in line would be Phosphoric Acid, made by Aqua Mix, and available at Home Depot. It’s called Heavy Duty Acid Cleaner or Phosphoric Acid Cleaned. Same stuff, but the Heavy Duty is more concentrated…more bang for the buck.

If the phosphoric seems to do something, but again, not quite cut it, you’ll need to get the big guns. TYW Heavy Duty Cleaner & Stripper first, to dissolve the polymer in the haze, and then follow with TYW Tile & Grout Restorer, to cut the cement part of the grout. It’s a one-two punch that’s hard to beat. ;) This procedure typically works, whether we’re trying to remove grout haze, old seal or just a build-up of crud. It’s almost a “silver bullet.” ;)

[John Bridge]

Tim,

Why didn't we name it "Silver Bullet"?

;)

[davem]

Maybe we could sell the combo as a package deal and name it that. :)

[John Bridge]

Dave,

Great idea! Where's Tim? I wanna know if he's got any two-compartment bottles. We could make it look a lot more technical that way. ;)

[doitright]

I agree with the Part A and Part B. Nobody should be without that kit anyway! ;)

[kemguru]

I don’t know about the two-chamber bottle. If these products were to mix, they would neutralize each other. Seems that the products sold in dual chamber packaging are designed to mix together. Epoxy…peroxide-based stain removers, and such.

I think a package deal is a great idea! The “Copper Bullet” package. ;)

[John Bridge]

Copper bullet? Who wants a copper bullet? Everybody wants a silver bullet. Get with the program. ;)

[kemguru]

Originally posted by kemguru
This procedure typically works, whether we’re trying to remove grout haze, old seal or just a build-up of crud. It’s almost a “silver bullet.”

:D

[beauquis]

I tried the vinegar solution and it didn't really make any difference. We got a brand new tile from the attic and it doesn't look very different from the tiles on the floor. So, I think we've simply picked the wrong tile, especially for a long hallway since it looks dull. Would a color-enhancing job help? Is it even an option? Any other ideas? I'm attaching a photo of the tile to give you an idea even though ithe dull effect doesn't really show.
Thank you again to all of you.
Catherine

[John Bridge]

Hi Catherine,

Photo didn't come through. Don't preview it. Just post it.

A color enhancer won't work on a glazed tile. It'll just make a mess on the surface. If the tiles are clean, I think that's it. ;)

[beauquis]

I don't seem to be able to reduce the photo I have to less than 93000 bytes. I'm sorry. Please let me know if there is another address I can send it to.
Thanks.
Catherine

[John Bridge]

Catherine,

Download Irfanview. It's free, and it's easy to use. Does a great job of re-sizing. http://irfanview.com

[dawn_quixote]

had my tile since 1995..it's teracotta color ceramic tile..It is very dull and almost has a milky looking film over it..I have tried washing it with HOT water, COLD water, amstrong no sticky residue cleaner with and with out 1/2 cup of vinegar, and also just water and vinegar...I really need help..I hate it and wish I had never gotten it..If there was some way just to polish it, that would be great..I have to get on my hands and knees just to buff it up alittle..I have done all 4 of these things today...lol...If someone would tell me how to post a pic here, I just took a great one..maybe this will work..Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<img src=
http://www.quixoteplace.com/floora.JPG
<img src=
http://www.quixoteplace.com/floorb.JPG>
<img src=
http://www.quixoteplace.com/floorc.JPG>

[dawn_quixote]

had my tile since 1995..it's teracotta color ceramic tile..It is very dull and almost has a milky looking film over it..I have tried washing it with HOT water, COLD water, amstrong no sticky residue cleaner with and with out 1/2 cup of vinegar, and also just water and vinegar...I really need help..I hate it and wish I had never gotten it..If there was some way just to polish it, that would be great..I have to get on my hands and knees just to buff it up alittle..I have done all 4 of these things today...lol...If someone would tell me how to post a pic here, I just took a great one..maybe this will work..Please Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[/IMG] http://www.quixoteplace.com/floorb.JPG
[/IMG] http://www.quixoteplace.com/floora.JPG
[/IMG] http://www.quixoteplace.com/floorc.JPG

[dawn_quixote]

I meant ammonia, not vinegar, although I have also tried vinegar..sorry about the mess, I ebay so I always have a mess going..feel like I am living in a warehouse plus I paint alittle..

[davem]

Hello Dawn, welcome. :) Hang tight, if it can be helped, you'll find out here. Has it had that film on it since it was new?

[dawn_quixote]

No, it used to be pretty but somewhere along the way, I cleaned it with something that it did not like..maybe clorox..

[dawn_quixote]

sounds crazy but I think that is what caused it..I think..my bathroom tile is still pretty but I don't think it was ever cleaned with clorox in the water..hopefully someone can help..thanks for the welcome..I have been a stalking for awhile..lol..or whatever you call it when you just read and don't post..I love these forums..they are full of great ideas and answers..

[doitright]

Hi Dawn, Welcome! :)

Thanks for coming out of the closet! :D

I have to apologize, because your photo looks good to me. I'm stumped. Hopefully Tim will shed some light to the subject. Please be patient, because it will be worth finding the solution. ;)

[dawn_quixote]

I looks good because I put some armorall on it in front of the door to see how it would look shiny..I almost just busted my As_ coming in the front door so, that wasn't a good thing to do..I am just sooo frustrated about it..It looks like the other pics without amorall on it..lol..can you tell I am losing control..

[dawn_quixote]

I mean it looks good..lol..here is a pic of my little house dug in a berm on sandy creek..I have this tile everywhere except the bedroom..

http://home.earthlink.net/~sandycrk/Quixote'sPlace.JPG

[John Bridge]

Hi Dawn, :)

The picture of your house would make a very scenic post card. :) Where is Sandy Creek?

You know, those tiles look like they might have a glaze on them. I can see the flashing (coloring) repeating from tile to tile. This would not be the case with an unglazed terracotta tile. Those tiles would be all different -- each piece would be unique.

I can't tell you what happened. Hang around, though. Maybe someone will have an idea. :)

[dawn_quixote]

yes, they are glazed..they are just terracotta colored ..I went to old mexico and bought tile, but could not find anyone that knew how to lay it so, I bought this tile and laid it myself..

sandy creek is in west texas, close to san angelo..the creek in about 20 or so feet from my door in the pic and when it rains around 6", floods my living room and everything has to go to the upper level..it's a pain but, I love it out here in the country..

[John Bridge]

Pretty country out there. :)

I don't think there is a whole lot you can do. You might get hold of a restoration specialist and get an opinion. Once the glaze on a galzed tile it shot, though, it'll never be like new again. And the glazes they use in Mexico over the soft terracotta clay are not high-quality to begin with. They are fired very low, and consequently, the glaze is soft.

Have you tried something like Mop and Glow? You would have to maintain it, but it might help. I really don't know. :)

[dawn_quixote]

I didn't buy this tile in old Mexico, I sold that tile and bought this tile at a tile place in San Angelo Tx..

[dawn_quixote]

I have tried mop and glow..I need something to nuetralize the tile so I can go back to the right application and stick with it..I can see the glaze on the tiles..I see that the glaze is still intact but needs something to strip it down to the glaze clean and then start over cleaning it properly..I am not even sure how to clean it correctly..

[dawn_quixote]

when you live in the sticks, in the middle of no where, 45 miles from the nearest tile center, they are not coming out here for less than 600 square ft of tile either..that is my dilema..I have asked them to and they are too busy for me..

[doitright]

Hi Dawn,

My computer was acting up all evening, and was only showing the 1st of 3 pictures. I now see what you're talking about.

I agree that the floor needs to be stripped first. You mentioned flooding on the lower floor. Is this upper floor set on a concrete slab? If so the white in the joints could be efflouresence. The white on the surface of the tile is another issue.

Once we determine what to strip your floor with, you with then only need to maintain it with a nuetral cleaner. I bet I know who's got some for sale! ;)

[dawn_quixote]

the floors are concrete but the second pics are from the kitchen dining room upstairs area and have never flooded..so, I don't think the flooding has really hurt it..that is why I put the tile in as, there was indoor outdoor carpet in the house..It usually goes down in a few hours and then you just wetvac and mop till you can't mop anymore..

[dawn_quixote]

I can not express how much I appreciate your help..It's so hard to look at these floors and think about having to take care of them forever..lol..

[doitright]

Some nuetral cleaners used full strength have a stripping ability in itself, then just need to be rinsed. Your concrete slab at the upper level can still be absorbing water, and drying through the grout joints causing the effourescence. That will need something more aggressive. ;)

[dawn_quixote]

Oh, I see what you are saying, that could be since it is earth bermed..So what do you suggest to clean it with? The bath which is on the third floor with the bedroom/laundry room is fine and not so earth bermed..But, we live in the sand and we are in a severe drought so...Our lake actually made the cbs nightly news a few months ago as it caught on fire...Our lake now has less the 3' in it..