dull mosaics after grouting

[CJ]

Olive Oil

 

[oleras]

Olive Oil

.....and i will end up with arms like popeye !!:hurray:

 

[TilingLogistics]

Hi there, i grouted them with Ardex-flex fx ivory.

Didnt leave it on them too long, only about 10-15 mins before washing off, its more a haze than anything else that normal buffing wont remove.

i tried buffing them with a felt tip on the dremel and it kinda worked, but it would take about 500 tips as they burn out easily !

added some pics of after grouting and some raw mosaic

broken link removed

OK what you have done is used the wrong grout. That particular Ardex Grout is not suitable for those Marble mosaics. What has probably happened is the stone has absorbed some of the solution or haze whilst you have been grouting and you have also unwittingly slightly scratched the surface as well whilst cleaning off. This is why you have had some results with your dremel and a soft tip. I would not attempt to put anything else on the stone at the moment. Please first of all tell me where you are in the Country? What width are the grout joints? From whom did you purchase the mosaics?

Kevin

 

[wetdec]

As neither marron or crema are subject to water staining in a mosaic array Ardex would disagree with you Kev m8

tiler

..

 

[TilingLogistics]

As neither marron or crema are subject to water staining in a mosaic array Ardex would disagree with you Kev m8

tiler

..

Their own Data sheet agrees with me. Those mosaics are subject to staining and using that grout on those is akin to scrubbing them with vim or ajax it is very abrasive. No amount of colour intensifier or enhancer will help him in this situation other than to mask the damage already done and give a short term fix.

Kev

 

[wetdec]

I have the data sheet thats how I can quote their comment on water marking. They are a marble tumble/honed mosaic their surface tension is huge especialy marron he may see water mark in the odd one but not in numbers as they are not cut from one piece, Granted there could be some abrasion which could be significant if they were polished but on a crema tumble not a chance, the guy has grouted them not rubbed it into the face.


I look forward to reading your conclusion on this m8 as I am obviously missing something ???

tiler

..

 

[TilingLogistics]

I have the data sheet thats how I can quote their comment on water marking. They are a marble tumble/honed mosaic their surface tension is huge especialy marron he may see water mark in the odd one but not in numbers as they are not cut from one piece, Granted there could be some abrasion which could be significant if they were polished but on a crema tumble not a chance, the guy has grouted them not rubbed it into the face.


I look forward to reading your conclusion on this m8 as I am obviously missing something ???

tiler

..

I don't have anything else to offer or any more conclusions. The only Accelerated ways I know to get rid of a polished surface are to abrade it, remove it by etching with acid or similar, and covering it with some sort of haze.

Kev

 

[oleras]

OK what you have done is used the wrong grout. That particular Ardex Grout is not suitable for those Marble mosaics. What has probably happened is the stone has absorbed some of the solution or haze whilst you have been grouting and you have also unwittingly slightly scratched the surface as well whilst cleaning off. This is why you have had some results with your dremel and a soft tip. I would not attempt to put anything else on the stone at the moment. Please first of all tell me where you are in the Country? What width are the grout joints? From whom did you purchase the mosaics?

Kevin

I am in Limerick, in Ireland ! What do you charge for a call out ?lol

joints are 3mm

Mosaics purchased from tubs and tiles here in limerick.

What would you recomend to remove the haze, scratches ?

 

[TilingLogistics]

I am in Limerick, in Ireland ! What do you charge for a call out ?lol

joints are 3mm

Mosaics purchased from tubs and tiles here in limerick.

What would you recomend to remove the haze, scratches ?

If you were local I would have tried to fit in a visit to help you. However, as you quite rightly say me coming to you is not an option in this case.

I suspect what has happened is one of two things: My first suspicion is the polymers in the additive of the grout have risen to the surface through washing off and have bonded to the mosaic causing a haze. There are two different ways I would try to remove it. The first thing to try would be Aqua Mix grout haze clean up. If this doesn't work try Aqua Mix Sealing & Coating Remover follow the directions on both bottles. Adhere to the dwell times and be patient. If neither of them work post back or ring me and we will move onto another stage. Aqua Mix is available to you in Ireland.

Kevin

 

[grumpygrouter]

If you were local I would have tried to fit in a visit to help you. However, as you quite rightly say me coming to you is not an option in this case.

I suspect what has happened is one of two things: My first suspicion is the polymers in the additive of the grout have risen to the surface through washing off and have bonded to the mosaic causing a haze. There are two different ways I would try to remove it. The first thing to try would be Aqua Mix grout haze clean up. If this doesn't work try Aqua Mix Sealing & Coating Remover follow the directions on both bottles. Adhere to the dwell times and be patient. If neither of them work post back or ring me and we will move onto another stage. Aqua Mix is available to you in Ireland.

Kevin

Very good of you to even think about going to visit to offer advice. Great to see.

grumpy