grout residue on Black porcelain tiles

[specren]

Hi Gents,

In need of much advice as possible.

I've recently just finished tiling 4 walls and a floor using 600mmx300mm black unpolished porcelain tiles. Grouted with Bal Microban which dries very slowly and Im finding it difficult to completely clean off all residue. The tiles are slightly textured but not a problem, however, its such a pain and very time consuming trying to remove this grout film. some of the grout has wiped out of the joints due to drying too slowly. (nearly 1 hr in places) but drying enough to start a wash down.

Plus, on the tiles there is a blob of what looks like silicone on the corners of some of the tiles, not all, just every 2/4 tiles.
its a real pain to remove. Im guessing it was to protect the tiles in transit, but it wont come off. (tried speaking to Topps, they were completely fazed by the situation and unhelpful)

Ok lads, do ya best............................................. and thanks in advance.

 

[AliGage]

Hi and welcome.

Did you purchase the tiles from Topps? what are they called?

Is the residue actual residue or could it be bleed into the tile? I.E are the marks different after each wash down or are they the same size etc when the wash has dried and it begins to haze over?

 

[specren]

Hi and welcome.

Did you purchase the tiles from Topps? what are they called?

Is the residue actual residue or could it be bleed into the tile? I.E are the marks different after each wash down or are they the same size etc when the wash has dried and it begins to haze over?

Hi,

The customer purchased them from Topps. Its just a grout smear that seems to coming off, then in places just the same. I think it might be due to just more washes needed and changing water more frequently. I dont think its an issue with the tiles (cant remember the name of them).

Would a grout residue remover be the answer?

 

[Chalker]

Have you tried an emulsifying pad?

 

[AliGage]

Picture?

 

[Qwerty]

The blobs that look like silicone sounds like transit wax. Use a scraper and gently scrape them off

 

[specren]

The blobs that look like silicone sounds like transit wax. Use a scraper and gently scrape them off

Hi Gents.

Sorry for late replies. (Football train last night).

Thank you for you help
Im gunna try a wash down today and see if its any better.

Will post later today results.

Cheers everyone.

 

[specren]

still smearing. tried emulsifying pads with grout residue remover and with no luck.

Ant ideas anyone

cheers

 

[AliGage]

Pictures?

 

[Old Mod]

You could try emulsifying and then wet vac, don't rub with sponge. Every time u wipe with the sponge u push residue in to the tile, if u vacuum you're pulling directly off the face. Then repeat with clean water. Only polish with cloth after clean water. Had similar prob in Oct,albeit a floor, but principle is the same. I used Fila's Concentrated Acid Detergent. My floor was 300x300 Mat Black Porcelain also.

 

[specren]

Cheers. Will try that today

 

[RDTiling]

You could try emulsifying and then wet vac, don't rub with sponge. Every time u wipe with the sponge u push residue in to the tile, if u vacuum you're pulling directly off the face. Then repeat with clean water. Only polish with cloth after clean water. Had similar prob in Oct,albeit a floor, but principle is the same. I used Fila's Concentrated Acid Detergent. My floor was 300x300 Mat Black Porcelain also.

They aren't Gradino Black from Tile Giant are they?

This job I'm starting on Friday is using them, as they are non slip - I'm hoping the grouting isn't going to be a nightmare. Im using grey grout with them, just like your pic!

 

[Old Mod]

They aren't Gradino Black from Tile Giant are they?

This job I'm starting on Friday is using them, as they are non slip - I'm hoping the grouting isn't going to be a nightmare. Im using grey grout with them, just like your pic!

No, sorry truly can't remember what they were, but these came from Europesn Heritage in Fulham.

 

[RDTiling]

No worries - I'll just need to be quick to wipe any grout residue. I think with these tiles, I'll be grouting smallish areas at a time

 

[Old Mod]

No worries - I'll just need to be quick to wipe any grout residue. I think with these tiles, I'll be grouting smallish areas at a time

A coat of impregnator first may help.