Stain or Haze?

[bigfoot17]

I installed a slate look and feel glazed ceramic tile floor.After waiting 20 minutes,we started to clean the grout.There was lots of haze,so we cleaned well into the night and next day.Some of the tiles still have a hazey appearance.The tile manufacturer said to get an emulsifier cleaner.I called Aquamix and they said that it could be grout color pigment and I am screwed.
I am getting ready to use sulfamic acid ,but wanted some other opinions.I have tried several cleaning methods,all of them followed by a good rinsing of fresh water.

[Sponsored Links]

[jondon]

Mark,

What kind of grout did you use as in brand?

[bigfoot17]

I used Mapei KeracolorS Premium sanded
grout with polymer.

[jondon]

I see that your tile has the look of slate, looks like a lot of nooks and crevices
for the grout to go into, and when your grouting it goes everywhere it can. Normally I seal a tile like this before I grout so it releases easier, the grout. But most would not know to do this unless you do a lot of grouting.

I see you have contacted the tile manufacturer and Aqua Mix, but have you contacted Mapei, since you used they're grout they should be able to give you the rcommendation on what to use to get that hazing off, and you might need a brush if its into those crevice. The hazing should come off if its a ceramic glazed tile with the look of slate, if it was slate you might be in a pickle but if its a glaze on top, it should come up with the right application, call Mapei. They should have a number on the grout bag.:postitbg:

[SABoyt]

Mark, it looks like you have lots of grout on the floor. Cleaning with a sponge and mop will likely just push it around for a while picking up very little of it. Perhaps when you do the acid cleaning you should put down the acid, let it dwell for a few minutes, agitate it with a deck brush and try picking it up with a wet vac instead of just mopping. This way you are not pushing it around.

This works for us professionally where we can use our cleaning and extraction tools and it vacuums away the residual instead if leaving it behind.

[bigfoot17]

I have called Mapei.They suggested TEC Banish.That did not work,even full strength.I asked a pro at a tile shop for some grout release and he said that I would not need it with glazed tile.So far,I have used water/vinegar,straight vinegar,haze remover,simple green.I apply with scotch brite pads and rinse with water.If the sulfamic acid does not work,can I stain the offending areas to cover up the haze?
The floor looks great when it is wet!!:bang:

[bigfoot17]

Steve;
When you say acid.Are you refering to sulfamic or muratic?

[SABoyt]

NOT MURATIC! That is way too dangerous for you to be working with. Sulfamic is good and more readily available to you probably.

[bigfoot17]

I tried sulfamic acid on a tile that I had duplicated the problem on.I let it sit about 6-10 minutes and rinsed.Looks like it might work.The problem sample was not as bad as some of my floor areas,but I needed to get an idea of how it will work.Besides,I am getting antsie to get it cleaned.