Hi chaps,

Just moved into a new house and to say the floor has been abused would be an understatement.

It looks as if someone went to a lot of effort and expense to lay them then simply didn't bother to clean them again.

Up until now I've used LTP power stripper (1:4 dose, 3 applications) which is brought them back to a pretty good standard although now the grout looks quite manky.

I plan to strip any sealant with LTP solvex then power stripper again (1:12 dose) to lift any solvex then thoroughly wash down and seal with LTP Colour Intensifier and Stainblock.

My question is, what would you recommend I do with the grout to clean it prior to sealing? The power stripper has lifted the dirt but it is still quite 'off' looking.

On the right is the 'before' and on the left is after cleaning with Power stripper. It really is good stuff. I spent a good morning trying to clean the tiles up with stardrops and a scrubbing brush which didn't touch it but power stripper lifted the dirt straight off (with a good amount of scrubbing with a hard brush).

(Thats george in the picture who is chief supervisor)





Thanks

Try the grimex to clean the grout..

Originally Posted by Dave

Try the grimex to clean the grout..

I thought power stripper was one up from grimex? in the strength stakes?

Solvex and power stripper are used to dissolve coatings from varnishes to boiled linseed oils.. I find grimex better for grout cleaning but what ever was used on the sealing of that terracotta could have caused the grout darkening.. but at least worth a try before your either remove the grout or re-colour it.

Do you think its worth using the solvex after power stripper ( I've already bought it)

what size are they? Spanish hand made nice tile

Judging by the way the water still sits on the surface and some is soaking in the cleaner has worked to a degree.. If the power stripper has nor removed surface sealer then unless it was a lot thicker a product then i doubt Solvex will do any more to that floor... The grout is still either dirty on the surface grain or it will deeply ingrained and night need to be removed,, quite hard to say without actually seeing it close up at face value..

Try use a scotch pad and rub the grout joints and see if this helps.. But be careful with the solvex if you do use it, as it will strip the paint on the backmoulds. etc..

Originally Posted by pjc

what size are they? Spanish hand made nice tile

Hello,

They are 14 inches x 8.5 inches.

I've found a match for them at a tile shop on portrack lane stockton (independant large shop). Couldn't believe my luck as the major chains couldn't get hold of them. They are £70 sq/m at present.

Typical, I've went and bought the solvex and opened it. Never mind.

The surface of them is very matt looking (doesn't look like there sealed although obviously something must have soaked into the tile. I say this as its taken between 7 and 9 coats of the LTP sealer on a couple of tiles I've just bought to carry out the repairs It'll cost me a fortune in sealer if these soak it up like the new ones have!

Originally Posted by Dave

Judging by the way the water still sits on the surface and some is soaking in the cleaner has worked to a degree.. If the power stripper has nor removed surface sealer then unless it was a lot thicker a product then i doubt Solvex will do any more to that floor... The grout is still either dirty on the surface grain or it will deeply ingrained and night need to be removed,, quite hard to say without actually seeing it close up at face value..

Try use a scotch pad and rub the grout joints and see if this helps.. But be careful with the solvex if you do use it, as it will strip the paint on the backmoulds. etc..

Discount tiles then i take it..

It will take about 7 coats etc as they are so absorbent..

Originally Posted by Dave

Discount tiles then i take it..

It will take about 7 coats etc as they are so absorbent..

Very possibly :-)

I'm still scrubbing :-(

Scotch pads seem to be bringing the grout round but some of the stuff on the tiles is torture to get off. One of the main 'pathways' through the kitchen is filthy, I'm on my third go of power stripper at 1:2 ratio! The solvex actually came in very handy when trying to lift what I can only imagine must be fat/oil from under cooker on the tiles that the power stripper couldn't touch.

Don't forget to let the stripper dwell long enough..

Originally Posted by Dave

Don't forget to let the stripper dwell long enough..

20 mins ish?

It will give times on the bottle but agitate as well..

Would they have been sealed with boiled linseed oil as most terracottas were laid a few years ago then waxed it never worked IMO but most were

There also were two different hade made Spanish one had flat backs one with sandy backs from the same area and clay they look like the sandy back ones ?they were a little bumpier

Originally Posted by pjc

There also were two different hade made Spanish one had flat backs one with sandy backs from the same area and clay they look like the sandy back ones ?they were a little bumpier

Yeah there pretty bumpy.

I'm nearly there now, haven't had chance to finish off cleaning the other half but gave it another wash over last night with power stripper and aim to get the rest finished this weekend.

They have come up well but some of the marks just won't shift (adhesive etc on the surface, don't look like they were sealed prior to laying). They are good enough for now and the sealer really is excellent stuff so I'll get the rest sealed then look to re-grout in a few months time to bring them back up to scratch.

Oh yeah and before paying a fiver each for black emulsifying pads from the tile shop get yourself to tescos in the cleaning (latndry baskets etc) aisle. They do ones half the size in a handy round size for £1.25 each and are identical compounds instead of paying £5 each! from the tile shops.

Hello again,

I've managed to clean and seal 80% of the floor (haven't had time to complete it) and seal it. I've lifted about 2 sq\m and relayed (was bodged had grooves grinded through it for an old worktop support which I have removed).

I'm now wanting to re-grout the floor and have been looking into multtools etc but I've come across a few suggestions of a grout re-colour?

I've just bought mapei cement grey grout but its not what I'm after so I'm going to try mapei beige?

Do mapei do Fuga Fresca grout colourant in beige to match the existing grout and would anyone recommend it?