Removing grout haze from African Slate

[fayehope]

My husband and I recently decided to resurface our fireplace with African Slate tile by Olean. I thought that we did our research but evidently not well enough. We resurfaced the fireplace with a thinset (since the original surface was a very uneven exterior landscaping stone put in by the previous owners), let it dry a few days and then applied the tile. Let the tiles set and then we put on the grout. After doing some research I read that slate should have a sealer applied to it to make it easier for the grout to come off when washing it. Oops! Too late for that! :shrug: Although we washed it a few hours later and then repeatedly for a week there is still a haze on it that will not go away. When cleaning it there is nothing coming off on the sponge so I am assuming that I have gotten off all that will come off at this point with clean water. Funny though, it looks great when it is wet! What other options do I have to clean it or is there a possibillity that all I need to do is use a color enhancer? And if any suggestions do work do I need to seal the tiles to keep the look?

Thanks for any advice a I can get---Sherry Mitchell

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[JTG]

Sherry
Welcome the the forum
Have you tried to clean the tile with a 50-50 vinager/water solution?
If you like the look of the tile wet look for a gloss slate sealer. Gout and clean an extra piece you have and then let it dry well and seal with a couple coats and see if you like the look.
At a masonary supply/concrete supply house you can get Sureclean 600 it will clean the tile. It is pretty strong stuff so you will want to mask everything off real well so it doens't damage metal or wood. Again with it start with a deluted solution first. Scrube it in let it dwell for awhile and then clean with LOTS of clean water.
Good Luck
JTG