GROUT stuck on cast iron tub!

[fogcity]

help! my contractor didnt properly cover up the tub when he installed the surround tile. it's now been 2 weeks and when the inadequate covering was removed it revealed a pool of dirty, gritty grout running across the bottom of the tub all the way to the drain. ive tried scrubbing the porcelain coating with several passes of vinegar and removed the buik of the mass. however there remains a thin layer of grit (or a thick layer of haze, depending on your perspective) that i cant seem to loosen. do i need to resort to harsh chemicals and if so which ones? help!!

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[Theoderik]

can you use a pumis stone?

sw (shawn)

[Tool Guy - Kg]

Hi Dan,
Does your tub have the micro-gritty surface on the bottom of it for "feet traction"? Are you able to get the grout off the smooth areas of the tub, but not the gritty areas?

I would try using "Bar Keepers Friend" if you havn't already.

And I may as well ask. Why isn't the contractor cleaning up their own damaging mess? Everyone knows that some lots of contractors are messy, but grout on the tub is expected to be cleaned off at the same time the grout is cleaned off the tile. :)

[fogcity]

Hi Dan,
Does your tub have the micro-gritty surface on the bottom of it for "feet traction"? Are you able to get the grout off the smooth areas of the tub, but not the gritty areas?

I would try using "Bar Keepers Friend" if you havn't already.

And I may as well ask. Why isn't the contractor cleaning up their own damaging mess? Everyone knows that some lots of contractors are messy, but grout on the tub is expected to be cleaned off at the same time the grout is cleaned off the tile. :)

the tub is from the 1930s (ie no slip-prevention surface) and was in almost as-new condition before work began. the bottom though had minor loss of gloss so the surface is probably providing more of a surface for the grout to cling than the shinier sides.

will try bar keepers friend.

contractor will try to clean off the grout, but i dont want him using abrasive cleansers or otherwise making the problem worse. as you point out, his credibility is in question.

[Tool Guy - Kg]

...credibility....gotcha ;)


And for some added advice, I'm gonna move this over to the jenius' in the Cleaning Forum. They'll prolly tell me I'm wrong, so I'm giving you fair warning. :D

[Shaughnn]

Hello Fogcity,
Did your tile setters use a fortifier in their grout? I wouldn't recommend a pumice stone because it may be too severe for the enamel of your tub. I prefer "Bar Keeper's Friend" clenser and a white nylon scrubbing pad (white is the least severe of the nylon pads). If vinegar isn't helping (you can use it full strength in the tub), then it may indeed be an add-mix haze. I have heard here that amonia will help in cleaning latex haze, though I've not had a chance to try it.
Best of luck,
Shaughnn

[fogcity]

hey everyone, thanks for the help. bar keepers friend worked like a charm. note that it is abrasive so it did worry me, also the packaging says it may etch older porcelain which this tub definitely qualifies as. anyway i applied it, let it sit, and scrubbed with a white scrubber and it came of fairly easily. a minor miracle. didnt seem to etch, but i was careful to flush it out as soon as the job was done. highly recommended.