Cleaning dirty slate!

[martyof]

Hi guy's I've been called to look at a job where the slate hadn't been sealed prior to grouting. It's mostly fine, but you can notice in the rise and falls of the slate where the grout has nestled into some of the grooves. It was sealed afterwards. In attempting to clean this I was considering taping off all other tiles and doing a mild acid wash to try and get through the sealers and scrub clean the grout. Any advice would be extremely welcome? Will it effect the coloring of the slate?

Many thanks

[Del W]

Look up LTPONLINE for cleaning products.All the large tile shops in your area will stock cleaners aswell.
I wouldnt use acid.

[widler]

marty,i used acid on a job i just did,i couldent seal before grout due to certain factors, it was fine,i brushed it on,left it for half hour then washed it down after(i tried it on a old bit 1st,and left it over night,that was fine too),left it to dry then give it a few coats of sealer.

[widler]

marty,i used acid on a job i just did,i couldent seal before grout due to certain factors, it was fine,i brushed it on,left it for half hour then washed it down after(i tried it on a old bit 1st,and left it over night,that was fine too),left it to dry then give it a few coats of sealer.

just to add as well, i had to do it on another job as well,left my apprentice to grout it,i had to go elsewhere,made a bit of a mess of it,must of been on his blinking phone all day,so had to acid it,and seal it again, that was fine to.
i just used the TP brick and stone acid

[Dave]

LTP Grout Stain Remover


LTP Grout Stain Remover is the solution for removal of cement and grout residues and is extremely effective against mineral salt formations (efflorescence). Useful for routine cleaning of patios and other outside paved areas, LTP Grout Stain Remover may be used on glazed ceramics, quarry tiles, terracotta and some stone.

Tips: Pick this product if you have cement and grout residues, mineral salt formations, limescale, water marks, dirty patios and other outside areas. Do not use on limestone or when underfloor heating systems are in operation. DO NOT USE ON ACID SENSITIVE SURFACES.

Technical Data Sheet (PDF)

[widler]

LTP Grout Stain Remover


LTP Grout Stain Remover is the solution for removal of cement and grout residues and is extremely effective against mineral salt formations (efflorescence). Useful for routine cleaning of patios and other outside paved areas, LTP Grout Stain Remover may be used on glazed ceramics, quarry tiles, terracotta and some stone.

Tips: Pick this product if you have cement and grout residues, mineral salt formations, limescale, water marks, dirty patios and other outside areas. Do not use on limestone or when underfloor heating systems are in operation. DO NOT USE ON ACID SENSITIVE SURFACES.

Technical Data Sheet (PDF)

erm,is slate a sensitive surface,if it is,im up la creak without la paddle

seriously though,its been months since the 1st one,the bloke i did it for was a slater,loves owt slate,old time chap,and he is still talking to me,even did his orange house floor in westland greens the other month,and the kitchen looks fine

[Dave]

NO it is fine, now limestone would be..

[martyof]

Guys can I thank you all so much for your input, I appreciate you all taking the time out to reply to my thread. It's so good being able to talk about little issues with like minded souls. Hopefully I'll be able to shed some light on something for you guys sometime...

Cheers
Marty

[365drills]

On a slate related topic (but not cleaning it) this 1 minute video is a demo on how to drill holes into it.



Anyone who deals with slate (installs it etc) should have access to the best equipment. And this little vid explains the best way to put a hole into a slate tile.