Hi

I'm having an issue with stains on some black tiles that were used to tile our bathroom. Getting a bit panicky now as I'm wondering if we will need to re tile the whole thing!!

The tiles used were black porcelain tiles which were apparently already sealed before application, however since going back to the shop the dealer said they need to be sealed before use- contradicting what he had initially said .

It seems that because they weren't sealed there are a lot of grout stains (we used yellow grout) on the tiles and the floor tiles seem to look like they are showing the adhesive from the back!

I have already tried to use FS87 fila (I think thats the name) which didn't clean the stains at all. Then tried a grout remover which has bleached the yellow staining so its now white.

Is there something else that you can recommend I use? I was thinking maybe dyeing with a tile dye (if that exists) and then re sealing.

Any help would be greatly received!

Hello and welcome.. do you have any pics you can show us.?

And the tile name.?

Hi Dave

Thanks for taking the time to come back to me. I can take some pictures this evening and post. Dont have the tile name (I will try and get it)... but I do have an update on the cleaners we used:

Fila PS87 and LTP Grout Stain Remover

Was suggested to use Deterdek but I'm wondering if its going to work or just make things worse!

Look forward to the pics..

We will wait to see the pics and hopefully be able to help you out

Hi there

Here are the pics...

photo2.jpg and...

photo.jpg

Was a bit tricky to get pics becuause of the light reflecting, but you should be able to see how hazy they have become as a concequence. I appreciate they arent high gloss tiles but I was hoping they would look blacker.

Any help would be wonderful

Goose, are they polished porcelain? I'm guessing they are, if so it will be very problematic to remove the haze from the unsealed pores.

Its a little difficult to tell from the pics but it looks like scratching, is it definitely grout haze? Do you know the brand and type of grout that was used? I've seen something similar when a wide joint (quite coarse) grout has been used on a polished surface.

There are products out there that will remove this but when you come to seal a colour enhancement may be needed but dont rip out.

Hi Bri

Sorry it took a while but... It was yellow mapei grout... dont think it is scratching.

Hi Doug

Yup polished porcelain... have you had any experience dealing with this sort of thing before?

Update...

So out of frustration I decided to try and re colour a tile over the weekend.

I wasnt sure what to use so tried some black boot polish (I know, I know I was desperate!!) to see if it would colour the haze.

It actually worked in terms of covering the patch I tried... but by the nature of booth polish im guessing it is just going to be on the surface as opposed to being absorbed??

So... my next question is there any sort of dye that I can buy to put on unsealed tiles? Ideally something that I can then seal again after which wont come off or fade? I was thinking something ink based but would that be a funny shade black on the tiles?

Thanks again!

Not that I have ever come across. We get this all the time and to be honest there isnt really alot that can be done about it.

Hi thereWhat kind of products can I use and do they work differently than the ones I've used already? Also you mentioned colour enhancers... Do you have any names or suggestions of those? Thanks!

Originally Posted by Goose

Hi thereWhat kind of products can I use and do they work differently than the ones I've used already? Also you mentioned colour enhancers... Do you have any names or suggestions of those? Thanks!

Firstly you must break down any polymers that may have risen to the surface of the tile then you need to remove the Haze with a Diluted acid or perhaps a strong Alkaline cleaner then your grout Haze will disappear then you may not even need a Colour enhancer but if you still feel it needed then perhaps you could apply it. Unfortunately I am not familiar with the whole of the LTP range well there cleaners anyway and feel that if I were to suggest alternatives it would just get removed anyway but shall have a look at the LTP range in a bit more depth for you and see if there is a solution.

Thankyou so much for such a guided reply. How would I go abouts breaking down the polymers- would that be another solution? I'm not entirely wedded to use LTP products (it was just on a previous recommendation) so would be happy to try any products that you may suggest or have had experience with.Thanks again

I am not saying that you are tied to LTP but the forum is. Polymers are what is in the grout a bit like plastic particles what happens is that your tiler has washed down but the grout has grabbed into the pours of the tile then the polymers have risen to the top creating a skin over the grout so putting diluted acid just wouldn't work as it cannot penetrate the polymers this is where you need a liquid which I will name if someone jumps in and gives me permission this needs to be worked in and given some time to allow to work pref with a soft brush so it can get in the pours the clean off and put diluted acid on it with a brush work in give it time then rinse off and your problem will be solved. you may miss bits if so just repeat on area.

You need to understand your problem before you can solve it.

Originally Posted by aim-restore

I am not saying that you are tied to LTP but the forum is. Polymers are what is in the grout a bit like plastic particles what happens is that your tiler has washed down but the grout has grabbed into the pours of the tile then the polymers have risen to the top creating a skin over the grout so putting diluted acid just wouldn't work as it cannot penetrate the polymers this is where you need a liquid which I will name if someone jumps in and gives me permission this needs to be worked in and given some time to allow to work pref with a soft brush so it can get in the pours the clean off and put diluted acid on it with a brush work in give it time then rinse off and your problem will be solved. you may miss bits if so just repeat on area.

You need to understand your problem before you can solve it.

Aqua mix Sealer & coating remover.

Originally Posted by enduro

Aqua mix Sealer & coating remover.

Checked online supply but the Aqua mix sealer and coating remover does not seem to be available in the UK. Suggested alternative is Tile Doctor Remove and Go. Will it still have the same effect?

Hi,
We've seen this become a regular occurance, especially as the chemicals in grouts are developing. It sounds like the grout residue has been removed but the haze of the polymers have still been left. I would recommend using LTP's Power Stripper, leaving the concentrate to soak into the tile before re-sealing. If you get in contact with LTP they can advise you further and even send a sample in the post to try. The number is 01823 666213

Thanks

Originally Posted by aim-restore

I am not saying that you are tied to LTP but the forum is. Polymers are what is in the grout a bit like plastic particles what happens is that your tiler has washed down but the grout has grabbed into the pours of the tile then the polymers have risen to the top creating a skin over the grout so putting diluted acid just wouldn't work as it cannot penetrate the polymers this is where you need a liquid which I will name if someone jumps in and gives me permission this needs to be worked in and given some time to allow to work pref with a soft brush so it can get in the pours the clean off and put diluted acid on it with a brush work in give it time then rinse off and your problem will be solved. you may miss bits if so just repeat on area.

You need to understand your problem before you can solve it.

I am sorry but that is tosh.. Loads of brands get mentioned and used on here.. Yes LTP sponsor but that does not mean others cannot be mentioned and if they are they will be removed.. I find your remarks offensive towards this forum.

As long as you are not selling sealers or gaining from a certain brands sales then mention what you like and do not state that we are biased ffs.

Thanks for the recommendation, very grateful. I have ordered the Aqua Mix sealer and coating from America (takes an age to arrive) so will try that and if that doesn't do the job I'll speak to LTP and try what you've suggested.

Originally Posted by Goose

Thanks for the recommendation, very grateful. I have ordered the Aqua Mix sealer and coating from America (takes an age to arrive) so will try that and if that doesn't do the job I'll speak to LTP and try what you've suggested.

Let us know how you get on. Maybe some before and after shots if you get a chance?