Patchy Grout - can it be solved with grout colourant

[Cloppie2004]

I hope you might be able to help? we have just done our bathroom. We used Ardex FS Grout in Gentle Dawn. A total nightmare as it has gone patchy. Bathroom guy came back and went over the grout again with another layer, but it hasn't done anything. There are darker grey areas and nothing like the colour it is supposed to be. Ardex have been very unhelpful and just put us over to Lithofin. spent a fortune on their products with no positive result. We thought about using a grout colourant, but our bathroom guy says this won't cover the darker areas - anyone know if that is correct? other than chanelling all the grout out and starting again (nightmare as tiles are subway style tiles) we don't know what to do. I've attempted to upload some photos here to show the grout, but they are not uploading. Any help anyone can give would be great.Thanks

 

[Lee@emctiles]

but our bathroom guy says this won't cover the darker areas - anyone know if that is correct?

I dont think he's correct.

Universeal Grout Rescue Colour & Seal (Available from a forum sponsor Trade Tiler) is the product i would recommend.

 

[Lee@emctiles]

Here's a display done in one of our showrooms with Colour & Seal (Dark grout to Jasmin colour)

 

[Andy Allen]

was this a job you did yourselfs, or did you get someone in to do the tiling...

 

[Cloppie2004]

Thanks for the replies. The grout colourant and sealer looks like an excellent option. No, we didn't do this ourselves. We had a Bathroom specialist undertake the work. He is experienced and was recommended to us. We have seen his previous work too.

 

[Ian]

I can vouch for the universeal grout colourant, it really is a top notch product.

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Why has it discoloured then guy's ?

 

[Ian]

Why has it discoloured then guy's ?

Either washing off too early or washing off with too much water.

 

[Andy Allen]

I would be getting the 'bathroom guy' to put the job right..

 

[Sean Kelly]

Grouting over grout is not a done thing. This leads me to believe that the bathroom specialist is not actually a specialist in bathrooms! A grout colourant will definitely resolve your issues. The grout colourants I use are called 'Aqua seal'. It is an epoxy colourant that seal your grout too. So do not worry - your tiles/grout will look great after a colourant is applied. Good luck.

Another reason for the patchiness in the original grout - maybe it was not mixed correctly. Trying to clean it will chemicals will bleach it and make it worse.

 

[Cloppie2004]

Thanks for the replies. I think a sealant and colourant is the way to go.

 

[Cloppie2004]

I'm back again i'm afraid.... I have a colour chart of Grout colourant rescue but it's not a very accurate colour sample.

Does anyone know how I can get hold of a sample of this product? I'm looking specifically at Pearl or Ivory (which looks beige on the colour chart)

The other product I found is the Aquamix Colourant. Again, it seems impossible to get a colour chart at all!

If I wanted black or white it would be quite simple I suppose.

If anyone can help with a sample or colour chart of either product, that would be brilliant.

 

[Lee@emctiles]

If your on twitter, drop a message to @Universeal_UK or call 02380 302562 and ask for a sample.

 

[One Day]

Aquamix enrich n seal will make the patchiness more uniform, although you'll get a darker grout.

 

[Cloppie2004]

I spoke to James at universeal. He saying they cannot send out samples because they don't have any (contradicts what others have said on here), so won't be ordering this. I'm trying to solve the grout problem and don't want to end up with another colour that looks even worse!

I was looking at the Aquamix Grout Colourant rather than enrich and seal. They seem to have more colour choice. I just have to get my hands on a colour chart.


Thanks again for your help.