black grout now grey

[32alan]

Hi All, hope someone can help, have read loads about similar problems, but none the same.
Tiled the shower over two months ago, waited a week then grouted (black). Took as much care as I could not to over wash the grout, but this was a nightmare being black took absolutely ages and hands were stained for days, evan though I was warring gloves. Overall was very happy with result. Didn't use the shower for just over a week. Now a few weeks down the line, the grouting is starting to fade and more like a light grey. I've tried the olive oil trick, but no change. Have tried scrubbing the grout, nothing there either. It seems the more we used the shower the more the grout fades. The tiles are a mixture of glass, ceramic and metal mosaics, on quick render, which was waterproofed with Dunlop. Adhesive was Mapie recommended on this forum and grout is Maxi Grout Black. Also tiles are on an outside wall so get very cold, if this has any relevance. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[DHTiling]

Have you contacted grout manufacturer..?

 

[32alan]

Have you contacted grout manufacturer..?

No I haven't, was hoping there was a easy fix, well a fix really. Contacting the manufacturer, they will almost certainly have a get out clause.

 

[Aston]

does the fading appear more prevelant in a particular area of the shower??
ie the lower half, were the water impacts the most compared the upper half or is it on one wall ie the cold wall?

or is the fading all over the shower area?

 

[DHTiling]

No I haven't, was hoping there was a easy fix, well a fix really. Contacting the manufacturer, they will almost certainly have a get out clause.

Do you have any grout left..? if so mix some up and leave to dry in a lump.. then after a couple days compare colour.. to wall joints.. some grouts do fade as they cure.

 

[32alan]

does the fading appear more prevelant in a particular area of the shower??
ie the lower half, were the water impacts the most compared the upper half or is it on one wall ie the cold wall?

or is the fading all over the shower area?

Yes the grout at the top is fine, the lower down the wall the light the colour.

 

[Aston]

are you in a hard or sofwater region?

 

[DHTiling]

Yes the grout at the top is fine, the lower down the wall the light the colour.

are you in a hard or sofwater region?

Ahh right.. i am thinking the same as Ed..

 

[32alan]

Hard water, did have a water softener, but packed up about six months ago, looking to fix it, but decorating the bathroom, other bits have been put on hold. So a good lime scaler maybe?

 

[bootsmckiber]

How good are you with a perma marker (I'm serious)

 

[Gazzer]

Aquamix grout colourant is what you need. It will sort this out in no time. Mapei have Fuga Fresca too .

 

[32alan]

Aquamix grout colourant seems the way to go, and much easier than the marker route, thanks lads for your help on this, should I seal the colourant after, if so whats best?

 

[Gazzer]

Nope you dont need to seal it after as its a water based Epoxy.

 

[32alan]

Nope you dont need to seal it after as its a water based Epoxy.

Thanks ever so much for your help on this, have now ordered the seal, sure this will do the job, will also use it on the floor in the Kitchen. Thanks again