I Need Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

[momoe]

I just grouted a 350 sq' floor. I used mapei Black grout. I didnt clean it very well as it was drying and now I have a layer of grout around the edge of the tiles. NOT JUST A HAZE BUT A LAYER OF GROUT. I have tried vinegar and water, Sulfumic acid, phosphoratic acid and alot of elbow grease. I am about ready to break out the meuratic acid unless anybody can think of something better.





help me please. :bang:

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[Davestone]

Sounds like you need something mechanical like a grout saw, or a small piece of cement block to grind away some of the grout.

[momoe]

grout saw on top of the tile? can I use a sanding wheel or a buffer disk in my drill? at this point I dont care about the grout lines. I'll regrout or dye it black again if i have to but I need it off the tile top. :bang:

[Davestone]

You mean the grout is thick on top of the face of the tile?You'll ruin the tile if you use a machine of any kind,i was thinking a hand grout saw might help get it off the edges at the grout joint.

[momoe]

sad but true, it is thick on top. I did a self test on a piece of the tile and it does not hurt or discolor the tile. having tried all the other acids, I feel the mueratic is the way to go. Any idea how much I should dilute it? it is a gallon jug I bought at ACE Hardware. I dont know if it is diluted already or not. :bang:

[groutkleen]

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH MURIATIC ACID! It is a very strong acid and the fumes will discolor any metals in it's path like bath accessories, cabinet hardware, etc. Trust me, I know first hand :fim:

[Davestone]

The acid isn't diluted,so i would use it 50/50 with water, but it will only take off the grout till the calcium in the grout reduces the acid,neutralizes it, so you'll still have to scrub,maybe a scraper will help, a hand scraper sometimes works real well, the type where you put little 4 inch blades into it,but be carful with the acid, use gloves, and don't get it on any metal, and open the windows or use a mask, it's brutal.

[momoe]

CAn I use a fine grit sand paper? maybe on a sanding block? I have been using scotchbrite pads and it has been eating them up like crazy. I have alot of area to cover and not alot of time to do it in. I also found a plastic ice scraper will take down the high spots.

[Davestone]

At this point anything short of a scraper is gonna be useless, till you get enough off that you can utilize the acid. A black scrubbing pad would help also, but i understand you can't go out and get tools, so i would use a margin trowel, or something, even a spatula,or small shovel,piece of wood, whatever,then maybe tomorrow you can use the acid,it'll still be fairly soft if you can get the bulk off tonight i think you can still salvage it tomorrow,,,,,save your strength you're gonna need it tomorrow.

[momoe]

how long do i have untill the morter sets up to full strength?

[doitright]

Hi Mo, Welcome! :)

Cement will achieve full cure in 28 days. DO NOT use muriatic acid! :eek:

Can you post a picture? :shades:

[Shaughnn]

Momoe,
Try using pumice stone to scour the surface. Test it on an inconspicuous area first to make certain the finish isn't scarred before using it in the open area. You can usually find pumice stones in the mega market or hardware stores with the clenser and cleaning supplies. I use "Pumie"-brand.
I'll second the warning not to use chemicals this early in the grout's curing process. Try mechanical methods before resorting to chemicals.
Best of luck,
Shaughnn

[momoe]

does grout take as long to cure? at this point i dont care if i screw up the grout, i'll redo it if i have to. i just need it off the face and out of the pores if the tile.

[doitright]

Hi Mo :)

Please try and post a picture. It might be easier and less expensive to tear it out.

[momoe]

it'll take a few days to get a pic. basically I have a haze covering the tile. along the grout lines i have a pretty good build up of grout. it is the left over from pulling my grout lines with my float. I skimmed the tile with my float on a 45 before I pulled my lines out and as I tried to clean off the excess, I kept screwing up the lines because it was still to wet. I thought if i let it dry it would just pop off and clean up nice like I have done all the other times I did it. I guess Mapei Black grout is a different animal than I have ever met. why do you say not to use the meuratic acid? at this point I dont care if I discolor the grout or not. I can always dye it back to black. the lady is leaving for canada in a couple days and I need to be done. this isnt my full time job. I guess i learned a lesson on not what to do.

[Dave Taylor]

It now sounds to me like a quality exacto knive and a bunch of good razor blades may help.... IE: cut the thick layer of grout off the tile edges. Sanded grout will be tougher but..... this could work to remove the grout at the tile edge yet save the tile.

If you try this.... control that blade while you work.