getting grout out of sealed slate

[B&J]

We put slate tiles on our fireplace a few months ago, used charcoal grout, and didn't seal before we grouted. Since it was a small area, we got most of the grout out but it still left the tiles looking quite dark. It seemed ok at the time, though, so we put a color enhancer/sealer over the top. We're now in the process of putting the same tile on the kitchen floor. This time we sealed it before grouting and used natural gray grout. I like it so much better and want to get the dark haze off of the fireplace tile so it looks more like the kitchen floor.

I bought a heavy duty tile cleaner (with hydrochloric acid as an ingredient) and tried it on a few of the tiles. I used a nylon scrub brush and rinsed well. It seemed to help some.

Here's my questions. If I use a stripper on it first to remove the sealer before I use the acid cleaner would that make any difference or is the acid strong enough to remove the sealer on its own? I don't mind scrubbing if it would help - Should I try a wire brush instead of a nylon brush? Any other suggestions? THANK YOU!!!

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[Davestone]

You should use whatever stripper is recommended by the sealer manuf. and then try some sulfamic acid crystals, ot a grout haze remover, or some diluted sureclean,and a stiff brush, then after rinsing use about half a cup of ammonia in a gal.of water as a final rinse for the slate to get the acid outta the stone., before you reseal.