Porcelain stained by grout.

[itstony]

I hope some pro´s will smile and shake their heads knowingly and then advise on a remedy for my situation.
If my experience is based on mistakes, I should be the best, but I keep making different ones.😳

Chose a different grout Gecol (Spanish), to the last one I used, Weber. Weber never had the Brown I wanted.
Went for the Fina for 1-3mm.
On cleaning off the grout we could see parts of footprint marks. Tried to remove the marks and they wouldnt budge.

Nothing on the packets for preparation or warnings. But in the Gecol product catalogue we found a sentence warning to apply a barrier to Porcelano tiles before grouting with Fina (fine)to prevent staining.:mad2:

Quick google research directed to an old thread on here ... lol ... and one recommendation was clear vinegar diluted with water.
I did try it and it works, but what a mission to scrub just three tiles.

Any comments on alternatives?
Only on a remedy please :blush2:

 

[david campbell]

if they are polished then they should have been sealed with a suitable impregnator prior to grouting😳

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I'm with David on this. Lithofin do some good stain removers, also HG. Pics might help for more advice

 

[itstony]

I'm with David on this. Lithofin do some good stain removers, also HG. Pics might help for more advice

HG products are stocked at the local store, so will check them out in the morning.

These are not highly glazed, wood effect and slight grain finish, luckily brown so the stain isnt the end of the world.

 

[itstony]

Guys, just to follow up on the progress.

Went to view the HG products and after a lot of research by the retailer, one was suggested. In Spanish it says Cleaner proffesional.
Anyway, after a few attempts at dilution and ´Much´elbow grease I have managed to bring the tiles up to an acceptable level.
Close scrutiny does reveal staining, but as I always say about experience .....:lol:

 

[hillhead]

They say we never stop learning and i think that is so true.

 

[itstony]

While on the topic, what is best to seal it with a barrier?
I´m not happy to use the same grout unless any fine grout does the same.

I can see a big difference (to me) on the next phase that runs up to those.
Luckily I made stianless steel strip on each doorway to make it easier.
I can see the shade difference so will have to keep the door closed or try more cleaning.

 

[aqua blue]

Once your happy with the floor you will need to seal tiles and grout. Depending on how porous the stone is you may have to seal them several times.

 

[itstony]

Once your happy with the floor you will need to seal tiles and grout. Depending on how porous the stone is you may have to seal them several times.

There is obviously a barrier that is applied prior to grouting (as I later read), but still naven´t had a recommended product.

 

[aqua blue]

A solvent based sealer is what you need.

Lithofin FZ impregnator and Lithofin KF grout protector.

 

[aqua blue]

Use the impregnator to seal the tiles then after grout has dried apply the grout protector. Then seal/impregnate the tiles further.

 

[itstony]

Use the impregnator to seal the tiles then after grout has dried apply the grout protector. Then seal/impregnate the tiles further.

Thanks, I shall do some research here and see what the equivalent product is here and be sure to use it prior to grouting, I don´t want that staining again if avoidable.

I can now also see what would happen if a cup off coffee or tea was spilled ... yep, will seal them.
Is the imprenator a water based solution?
Also, does it alter the tile shade at all?


The guy at the building supplies did say you need to apply the grout and clean it off quickly, but I wont try that. Applying a barrier has to be the way.

 

[aqua blue]

Tip- Always try a test piece before using a new product.

 

[itstony]

Can I obtain some feedback on Porelain tiles?

Just had a massive argument about this situation and need some clarification.
These Porcelano tiles appear glazed, therefore my other half will not accept these tiles are porous and it is a case that the grout has eaten into them.
She has used Curry and tea on them and convinced they are not porous.

The term used above Ímpregnator´ appears to me to impregnate and not just a barrier.
Sorry guys, please clarify:mad2:

 

[aqua blue]

Porcelain tiles are porous if you put a drop of water on the surface and leave for half an hour that section will appear darker. Don't assume that because it is polished that it has also been sealed.

 

[aqua blue]

If they are glazed then they will not need to be sealed. drop some water on them and leave for 20 mins if this area doesn't appear darker they are glazed, double check with the supplier.

 

[itstony]

Yes, we are going to the supplier and get them to call the the place the tiles come from.

I shall try the test you suggest, but it hardly dispels the grout stauning eh?

 

[aqua blue]

Ceramic tile vs porcelain tile | difference between the tiles
http://www.infotile.com.au/magazines/tiletoday/past/2004/43/article.pdf

Some more info.

 

[itstony]

That Aussie link was brilliant, trhanks for supplying that.
I did write another thread to catch evryones attention, but may have been removed??

I hope others get to read that, it was educating.
If others read that first, before they attempted working with Porcelano, they would be wiser and prevent mistakes.

Nive one Aqua blue

 

[aqua blue]

Glad to be of some help.... Even if your tile is glazed, with porcelain the kiln temp as you know is greater. This can lead to distortion and the need to trim tile to unify size after glazing. Hence some possible problems with grout bleeding into the sides of tiles.