Cleaning dried Bal grout off of Topps Stratum Anthracite tiles

[tired]

I Have a problem I hope you will be able to help me with!

I have tiled my new walk-in shower walls with Topps Stratum Tiles in a dark slate grey colour, but some one helped with the grouting
and didn't clean it off before it set. I have since bought topps extra strength grout cleaner but although it is helping a little it is still
not off and all the tiles have a white coating of powder over them........................help what do you suggest???

Tired:yikes:

 

[DHTiling]

Lithofin cement away . But test first for results.

Cover anything up that can get damaged.

Dilute first and increase in strength till it works.

Wear appropriate ppe.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Welcome to Tilers Forum.
Although I cannot advise you to do this and every care should be taken to follow the instructions on the container, I would consider the brick cleaner from BQ or similar! It's contains up to 15% acid and so the 'warning' calls should be heeded. Well ventilate the room as fumes can taint chrome, use plenty of water to wash off and DO A TEST AREA FIRST OUT OF SIGHT. Please take care but it does work for missed built up areas of grout.

 

[DHTiling]

I was gunna suggest brick acid TJ.. but thought i better not as some mightbe shocked... but yes it is the cheapest residue remove about but IMO for pro use..

 

[Spud]

those tiles are a nightmare I am using them on a new build job at the moment we had a similar problem we used brick acid and a scrubbing brush and it got into the crevices of the tile really well , it took 2 attempts to get them perfect but they will come clean

 

[Time's Ran Out]

You are right Dave - I was hesitant to suggest the brick cleaner in open forum and although I've used it for years, it can have its problems. Many years ago we had to replace the chrome coated plastic shower attachments that were etched by the acid!
Not really for the DIY but it works with care!

 

[Lee@emctiles]

Advise re these tiles on Topps Website

Expert Tiling Tips from Toby

"These tiles are designed to be butted up together for minimal grout lines - apply grout with the finger to fill the odd spaces which may naturally occur. If you’re using in a wet area, we recommend waterproof matting before the product is affixed."

Yep......you read it......to coin a Richard Littlejohn phrase........you couldnt make it up

 

[merit]

Inspector gadget has a attatchment for that very purpose

 

[Spud]

here they are anthracite and white , definitely need acid cleaning even when fingering the grout in ,they are a nightmare

 

[White Room]

How many fingers get mullered to a bag of grout....

 

[Stef]

These are some of the worst tiles I have fixed,
Grouting is a total nightmare,
I am now 4 days behind schedule on this job.
Does anyone know of a colour enhancer that will work on these tiles??
The tiles are so nicer when wetted!!

 

[Alan.P]

So what is the question here ? Have you got dried grout a haze or just looking for a sealer with a sheen finish?

 

[Stef]

Looking for a colour enhancer..
All grout has been painstakingly removed
Topps tried 2 enhancers & tile giant tried 1 but they didn't have any effect on the look of the tile..

 

[Alan.P]

If the grout is cleaned off and you've tried various enhancers it must just be the texture of the tile, did the customer pick these? Never fixed them so can't really say much more, are they on a bathroom wall?

 

[Stef]

Alan I will put up pics when I finish this week,
The customer picked them, they are the worst tiles I have fixed.
36m2 light grey & anthracite.
They are lovely on but what a pain..

 

[Gazzer]

You are not the only one to have issues with these tiles, complete nightmare. As you say the look great when wet but grouting is the worst ever.

 

[David - Tradetiler]

Grouting will be made somewhat easier using the narrow grey nozzle provided with our grouting gun




I suspect the sealers tried are not providing the 'wet look' because they are of the impregnating type which rely on absorbing into the surface. I am assuming these are porcelain tiles and consequently will have virtually no abortion what so ever leaving only a topical (coating) sealer as an option. I cant say I'd be too happy using a topical sealer in an area of use like that and to a surface so rough. Over time water is bound to get behind, turning it into a opaque patchy flaky mess

 

[Stef]

Grouting will be made somewhat easier using the narrow grey nozzle provided with our grouting gun

View attachment 52696


I suspect the sealers tried are not providing the 'wet look' because they are of the impregnating type which rely on absorbing into the surface. I am assuming these are porcelain tiles and consequently will have virtually no abortion what so ever leaving only a topical (coating) sealer as an option. I cant say I'd be too happy using a topical sealer in an area of use like that and to a surface so rough. Over time water is bound to get behind, turning it into a opaque patchy flaky mess

Dave, I bought one of these from you a few years ago.
I'm using a plastic scraper to fill in the voids between the tiles.
It is slowly coming together but as I said what a pain.
These are porcs & the sealers can't soak into the tile..
Cheers for the help..

 

[Stef]

Well that's the job from hell finished!!


Was worth the effort, clients are over the moon with it..

 

[White Room]

Bet it made a change to do somethink different....

 

[Stef]

Bet it made a change to do somethink different....

It did but what a pain..

Next time the price will be doubled..

 

[gamma38]

I fit some of these the other day. Just a few boxes randomly on walls in a pub as features, two rows at a time about two mtrs high. Couldn't get my head around the butting up, so I put a small Silicon bead on the edges during fitting, colour was good and you could hardly see the join. No clean up after either which was nice. Don't think I would fancy doing what you just have with them. Nice looking job though.

 

[Stef]

Gamma, that's a great idea about the Silicon, should have thought of that last week & would have saved a lot of hassle.
Silicon it, Wonder Wipe it, Job Done..

 

[gamma38]

Gamma, that's a great idea about the Silicon, should have thought of that last week & would have saved a lot of hassle.
Silicon it, Wonder Wipe it, Job Done.. 

It was one of my better ideas i think, your right though, it was that simple and as soon as the last tile was laid i was done.

 

[David - Tradetiler]

That's what I always prefer about carpet tiling 🙂 🙂

 

[hairyhobo]

Can anyone recommend any brushes to clean these tiles with? I'm having the same problem. Can you use a wire brush like this one...
Toolstation > Hand Tools > Engineering Tools > Wire Brush

or would something like this work, attached to my drill?
Toolstation > Power Tool Accessories > Wire Abrasives > Filament Wheel

 

[CJ]

Siliconing the bloody things is a pain in the ar55e as well. Tried today with gunmetal silicon......tested a 6" section, and it looked a bloody mess......took it out. It's gonna have to be clear.

 

[Gazzer]

Horrible tiles to work with.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

I Have a problem I hope you will be able to help me with!

I have tiled my new walk-in shower walls with Topps Stratum Tiles in a dark slate grey colour, but some one helped with the grouting
and didn't clean it off before it set. I have since bought topps extra strength grout cleaner but although it is helping a little it is still
not off and all the tiles have a white coating of powder over them........................help what do you suggest???

Tired:yikes:

hi, test the Lithofin cement residue remover on the porcelain tile -diluted 1-3 and test, reduce if required- do not use the cement away as this is for external use only and can form harmful vapour to surroundings. if a white/cloudy effect is left after the cement res rem-this may be excess polymer and this may need to be tested with a mild alkaline product such as intensive cleaner- dil 1-3 use with a white pad. if you still have problems you can always call us.

 

[Dan]

Bump