Dry Mapei Grout Removal From Textured Porceiain Wall Tiles - TilersForums.com

[jazzhands]

Hi

I have just grouted my newly fitted ABK Reworks Multi Beige 600x300 Porcelain wall tiles with Mapei Ultracolour beige grout.

The tiles are textured matt to look like natural stone. The problem is the grout has ended up going into the surface undulations and I have been unable to clean it out fully before it has dried.

What can I use (products and techniques) to remove the dried in grout as it looks really messy and obvious?

Thanks.

 

[Tile seller]

Ltp grout stain remover and a lot of effort

 

[Qwerty]

As above, and use an emulsifying pad

 

[Lithofin BOB]

As above on the product ( we have cement residue remover), if your tile has a textured finish and the grout is in the small capillaries you may find a selection of stiff brushes as well as the pad may take this out when using the product.

Pre wet your grout joint so the acidic based product concentrates on the tile face rather than removing the grout you want to leave in the joint. Test one tile at the stated dilution and if does not work ,strengthen the dilution until it does, also look for effect on the tile ( you can always test the strenghtened dilution on a spare or off cut to feel confident) then work through in small controlled sections rinsing as you go.

 

[Just Rizzle]

the joys of using mapei

 

[trustiling]

Used Grimex (not sure who makes it) yesterday on Mapei beige grout on a 600 x 300 tile with millions of fine dimples that had 3 washes already but looked ridiculous on our return for some finishing a few weeks later!
Very impressed, white nylon scrubbing brush worked better than an emulsifying pad and took the boy maybe 2/3 hours for a perfect finish about 30m walls.
So used same stuff on original style tiles that still took dirt while we were working on them even after 2 coats of stain stop!!

 

[jazzhands]

Thanks for the advice chaps. Bottle of Grout stain, emulsifying pad and various scrubbing brushes in hand.
First couple of tiles were an absolute mare due to depth of ridges etc. Had to increase the strength a little and then go over a few times.
Unfortunately you can't tell if all the grout has cleaned off until the tile fully dries as when wet, the grout stains disappear into the background.

 

[SJPurdy]

If there is a lot to remove then something to break down the polymers (in the grout) may also be required as the acid based cleaners will only be able to work on the cement bits of the grout that they can get to.

 

[jazzhands]

something to break down the polymers (in the grout).

Any suggestions on a product?

 

[SJPurdy]

Any suggestions on a product?

Sorry no. It is a point I remember from a training session a few years ago. I've never had to remove that much that warranted sourcing something. I had a similar experience with a matt mosaic strip effect small feature wall and it all came off eventually with the acid based cleaner and non-scratch cleaning pads (lots of scrubbing and several times over as needs to dry to see what's left). If you have lots to do then maybe worth asking in your tile shop/merchant ( I'm guessing it was a sealant and coating remover (to dissolve/weaken the polymers) used with an acid based cleaner (to remove the cement) - but check with the manufacturer).