Need a grout fix

[Sunny Austin]

I've been lurking on this site for several weeks but now I have to post. This is exactly what happened to me this weekend. However, I may keep the grout in the tiles, if I can figure out how to color it.

I put porcelain tile on my backsplash and grouted. The grout is just too light but I don't think it's eflorvescence (sp). I've been reading about enhancers but can I stain the grout and the pits that got filled in?

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[cx]

Welcome, Sunny Austin. Please give us a first name to use, preferably in a permanent signature line. :)

I've split your post from the other thread and started you one of your own here. Similar questions by more than one poster on a single thread too often causes confusion and someone's question being overlooked.

It is possible to re-color grout, but it may not yield the result you're looking for. Hang on for some real grout guru information. :)

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Davestone]

Yeah,you could use a grout colorant like said,not sure how the pits would turn out,i've never doe it myself.HD even carries a grout colorant.

[Sunny Austin]

If I choose to remove the grout from the pits in the porcelain cermaic tile, what should I use. The guy in the original thread used sulferic acid and a nylon pad. I'm worried something that strong will alter the grout color. Thoughts?

Tile is Lowes Rialto White
Grout is Mapei unsanded (not the premix stuff)

[Sunny Austin]

For future reference if anyone has similar problems:

In and inconspicuous place, I tried to remove the grout in pits with sulfamic acid and a scrubber. I didn’t work as the grout is just too deep in the pits. I decided to wash the whole backsplash with the sulfamic and it didn’t change the color of my grout or the grout in the pits. Good news! It did make the tile noticeably cleaner

In a different inconspicuous place I tried grout stain and it looked Terrible! I do not recommend it as it looked like paint and was too brilliant in color. It just didn’t look like grout anymore.

I then bought several enhancers from that orange despot and tested them both in an inconspicuous place. The cheapest was Stone Specific –“Stone Enhancer & Sealer” it didn’t penetrate or enhance very much but was very easy to apply as it came in a spray bottle. The second was Miracle - “Seal & Enhancer”. It penetrated well and the results were good. It darken the grout several shades and darken the grout filled pits. It also definitely enhanced the striations in the porcelain tile. I’m sure someone will say impossible but the additional contrast is noticeable and welcome. The Miracle was more expensive but with this stuff, a little goes a Long Ways…..

I used:
Tile was Lowes Rialto White - porcelain ceramic
Grout was Mapei unsanded (not the premix stuff)
Adhesive was Mapei Type 1 premixed (and it required more than I suspected)