removing grout from tiles

[LarryTileMan]

I've read many threads on this but was wondering if there are any additional thoughts out there:

I applied Custom Non-Sanded grout to 2" mosaic from Island Stone - a stone tile.

Many of the tiles are left with a very thick grout layer I can't get off. I have tried 50/50 vineger, a tile & grout cleaner from Color Tile (someone gave me)

I have tried using bamboo chopsticks, hard plastic scraper - - and even a metal blade. The metal blade just tops off the upper layer.

With my current techniques I am looking at many days of scraping one tile at a time (about 500 tiles)

Any ideas?

Thanks, Larry

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[Mike2]

Hi Larry and welcome to the Forum. :)

I'm not a restoration expert but it sounds to me like we need to step you up a notch in terms of cleaner strength.

Get that bottle of Color Tile cleaner out and let us know if it's Phosphoric acid or Sulfumic acid based. It will say on the contents if it is.


Edit P.S. What's the color of your grout?

[LarryTileMan]

I have another bottle which is more of a lime cleaner - hydocloric acid - bottle says to not apply till tile is cured 28 days. I just put grout on this afternoon.

Larry

[Mike2]

Just grouted this afternoon....that changes things a bit. I'm surprised it's that hard already.

I'm moving you over to the Restoration Forum. It will only get harder with each passing day so we need to get right on this.

[LarryTileMan]

Yeh I was surprised how quickly the tile took to the grout. Right away I could see there was a problem so I used TileLab Grout Sealer on remaining tiles first (says on bottle can be used as a releaser) but that didn't help either.

latest news:
stone tile is not glazed or even polished - bad for grout absorbtion on face, but good because I can use metal scrapers and even sanding. Am now getting off the layers of thick grout with 'hardware'

BTW, the grout color is medium gray

Larry

[Mike2]

Larry.

By any chance did you add a liquid polymer/admix to the Custom's already modified grout?

Knocking the thick stuff off first by whatever means so that the vinegar solution can work is the right approach to take.

[KChurch1]

You might want to try HMK R55 Intensive Cleaner Grout Film Remover:
http://www.hmkstonecare.com/

It's a pH 8.5 neutral cleaner that has been used successfully to remove grout film on natural stone without damaging the stone.

[Maurizio Bertoli]

Dear Larry:
It's gonna be tough! :(
Acidic or alkaline, grout film removers do just that: remove grout film, not a thick layer.
If you don't want to go through the drudgery of scraping your tiles with a blade one by one, you may have to consider having your floor professionally scraped with a wire brush followed by a honing powder. :)
Ciao and good luck,

[John Bridge]

Hi Larry, :)

I've got to agree with Maurizio (for crying out loud). :D

If you're not able to get the grout off now, you won't be able to get it off later. I don't know of any silver bullet product. If light acid won't do it, I would call in a pro.

[Unregistered]

muratic acid solution and a buffer with 3m white pad....next time work in smaller areas wipe grout before it completely dries

[doitright]

Hi Unregistered guest, Welcome! :)

Please register, and share your qualifications and experience with us. We don't bite. :D

We also like to use first names around here.

I usually don't like to recommend muriatic acid, unless absolutely necessary! Now if I turned the clock back about 15 years, I'd be using it for everything!

Today I know there are safer and better products that are job specific. :nod: