[Plankton]

For the hard surface experts... Tiler made a hash of the grouting in my shower room and although I wiped it down numerous times there is still grout marks on the tiles. Can someone recommend a product that will clean this up?

[BDCS]

Ring Kevin and he'll sort you out

[Kev Martin]

For the hard surface experts... Tiler made a hash of the grouting in my shower room and although I wiped it down numerous times there is still grout marks on the tiles. Can someone recommend a product that will clean this up?

What are the tiles made of?
Smooth or Riven?
Polished, Glazed or Matt?
Size of Tiles?
Is the grout modified (Flexible)?
How thick is the Haze?
How wide are the Grout Joints?

Let me know the answers and I will tell you the best way in my opinion to remove the haze

[Plankton]

Porcelain
Smoothish!
Matt
600x300
Standard mapi grout
Very fine haze in most places but at the floor there's a thick line between wall and floor tile
Joints are 5mm

Also just found this in the description of a similar tile... Type of sealant required: These tiles require sealing, use before grouting to help prevent staining and discolouration.
(there was no mention on the web about this at time of purchase)

[Kev Martin]

Porcelain
Smoothish!
Matt
600x300
Standard mapi grout
Very fine haze in most places but at the floor there's a thick line between wall and floor tile
Joints are 5mm

Also just found this in the description of a similar tile... Type of sealant required: These tiles require sealing, use before grouting to help prevent staining and discolouration.
(there was no mention on the web about this at time of purchase)

Alan

Please tell me the exact type of Mapei Grout used  and the colour code which will usually start with a 1 and be 3 numbers so e.g.  112, 132 etc etc  (it is important) or I wouldn't ask!  It may be Ultra Colour , FF, KP etc etc.  It does matter when removing.  Finally what colour are the tiles roughly?  White, Black , Greenish etc ?

Kev

[Plankton]

Tiles are black- http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/luna-black-wall--floor-tiles---300-x-600mm---5-pack-306549

Grout...Mapei BuildFix Flexible Wall & Floor Grout Grey 2.5kg (60576)
http://www.screwfix.com/p/mapei-buildfix-flexible-wall-floor-grout-grey-2-5kg/60576

Appreciate your time on this. I ripped the shower room out nearly two years ago and I've took my time with it! The tiles are discontinued and are now reduced in price but unavailable in most stores, (not that I would want them replaced)

[Kev Martin]

Alan

OK you have porcelain tiles in black which have a polymer modified (Flexible grout).

It sounds as though the tiler left the grout too long and the floor has been over washed.  This has caused several problems. Primarily the grout haze,  but moreover because the tiles were not sealed prior to grouting the grout haze will be in all the pits and fissures as well as on the surface.  Then because the floor was over washed the polymers in the grout have risen to the surface and formed a protective skin on top of the grout and that is why traditional cleaners are not working.  However, all is not lost.  So this is the way I would do it:

1.  Apply a solvent to the whole surface such as Miracle Epoxy Grout Film Remover or Miracle Mira Strip and agitate. (Be careful because the stripper will strip anything else it comes into contact with). This will break down the polymer skin.
2.  Without removing the stripper add in Miracle Heavy Duty Acidic Cleaner and agitate with a Nylon Scrub pad. This will now attack the cementitious properties of the haze itself and clean at the same time.
3.  Extract all product (preferably with a wet vac).
4.  Rinse and extract again.

Now check the haze remembering that the HDT&G Cleaner will only remove one layer of haze at a time so if there any areas that are thick it may need removing with a mechanical scraper to save time.

Several applications may be required but agitation is the key to this and you do not need to repeat the solvent stage.  Finally you may remove all the surface haze and then find you have pinpricks of grout in the pits and fissures of the tile!   If this is the case you may need to repeat the cleaning process using a soft brush to get in the pits and fissures and you may even need to resort to Miracle Liquid Poultice A&B to help get it all out.

Finally ONCE DRY seal the area with Miracle 511 Seal & Enhance this will even out all the grout colour and tile colour and also make ongoing maintenance and cleaning easier in the future.  Once clean only maintain with a pH Neutral Cleaner to maintain the integrity of the sealer.

Finally I have given you all instructions assuming it is a small area if it is a large area you can do most or all the above with a machine.

Good Luck

Kevin

[Plankton]

Thanks for the info, I'll get some ordered.

[Kev Martin]

Thanks for the info, I'll get some ordered.

No problem

[Plankton]

Roped my wife in to help with the scrubbing and it made easy work. Most of the haze was at eye line on the wall and it's came off no problem. Where the thick line of grout was along the bottom of the wall joining the floor was due to the tiller just leaving a mess, this took a little bit more scrubbing and has came up a treat. Next job is to seal the whole area.
I had a bit of a nightmare with the tiller nearly cutting my thumb off so it's a relief to eventually get the tiles looking good.

Thanks again for your time.