Will linseed oil work?

[singlmin]

Am I glad to find this site.
I just finished a counter and backsplash job in the kitchen and am letting the grout cure before sealing. The grout dried way too light although it looked great going on. According to the guy at the tile shop, I used too much water too soon in cleaning the grout. He says I can darken the grout with a couple sealers he sells which are quite expensive. He also says that the older tile guys use linseed oil to seal grout and that it seems to be effective. I tested a place in the grout with oil and it came out exactly like I want. So...the question is should I buy the commercial product or go with the oil. I want to do this right and don't mind spending the money but I don't mind saving it either if the final result is the same.
Thanks, Dale

[Sponsored Links]

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Dale,

Well let's first correct one thing. The addition of straight linseed oil will be blotchy and may never completely dry.

The old fashoned approach to color enhancement was boiled linseed oil mixed with 3 parts turpentine. Then this was applied sparingly and in thin layers until the right color enhancement was reached.

Finally there was afinish applied, usually a wax.

Now I understand cost savings, but in this case i would recommend a color enhancing impregnating repellant.
This will provide the color enhancement and provide for water repellancy as well oil repellency.

Good luck

[singlmin]

Thanks for the response and the information. What product(s) would you recommend? This is a sanded Mapei grout and the color is haystack (tan). The end result needs to be a darker color - more like what it looks like when wet.

[Steven Hauser]

:)

http://www.tileyourworld.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=51&osCsid=0c3910470e6a1c0dcd5b7eb25d4fe097

[doitright]

Hi Dale, Welcome! :)

Is this a ceramic tile install or natural stone.

If it is tile, you may be able to try a vinegar & water scrub.

If that doesn't reveal a the true color or darken the grout enough, I suggest using a grout colorant. Using AquaMix Grout Colorant will give you the color you want and seal it at the same time.

I have not had good success with impregnating enhancers sufficiently darkening the grout or giving consistent results. If it's blotchy before the enhancer, it will be blothcy after the enhancer. The same is usually true with applying linseed oil (and thinner).

Some type of acid wash will usually resolve this. :nod: