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:

 

[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