Porcelain stained by grout.

[itstony]

I hope some pro´s will smile and shake their heads knowingly and then advise on a remedy for my situation.
If my experience is based on mistakes, I should be the best, but I keep making different ones.😳

Chose a different grout Gecol (Spanish), to the last one I used, Weber. Weber never had the Brown I wanted.
Went for the Fina for 1-3mm.
On cleaning off the grout we could see parts of footprint marks. Tried to remove the marks and they wouldnt budge.

Nothing on the packets for preparation or warnings. But in the Gecol product catalogue we found a sentence warning to apply a barrier to Porcelano tiles before grouting with Fina (fine)to prevent staining.:mad2:

Quick google research directed to an old thread on here ... lol ... and one recommendation was clear vinegar diluted with water.
I did try it and it works, but what a mission to scrub just three tiles.

Any comments on alternatives?
Only on a remedy please :blush2:

 

[david campbell]

if they are polished then they should have been sealed with a suitable impregnator prior to grouting😳

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I'm with David on this. Lithofin do some good stain removers, also HG. Pics might help for more advice

 

[itstony]

I'm with David on this. Lithofin do some good stain removers, also HG. Pics might help for more advice

HG products are stocked at the local store, so will check them out in the morning.

These are not highly glazed, wood effect and slight grain finish, luckily brown so the stain isnt the end of the world.

 

[itstony]

Guys, just to follow up on the progress.

Went to view the HG products and after a lot of research by the retailer, one was suggested. In Spanish it says Cleaner proffesional.
Anyway, after a few attempts at dilution and ´Much´elbow grease I have managed to bring the tiles up to an acceptable level.
Close scrutiny does reveal staining, but as I always say about experience .....:lol:

 

[hillhead]

They say we never stop learning and i think that is so true.

 

[itstony]

While on the topic, what is best to seal it with a barrier?
I´m not happy to use the same grout unless any fine grout does the same.

I can see a big difference (to me) on the next phase that runs up to those.
Luckily I made stianless steel strip on each doorway to make it easier.
I can see the shade difference so will have to keep the door closed or try more cleaning.

 

[aqua blue]

Once your happy with the floor you will need to seal tiles and grout. Depending on how porous the stone is you may have to seal them several times.

 

[itstony]

Once your happy with the floor you will need to seal tiles and grout. Depending on how porous the stone is you may have to seal them several times.

There is obviously a barrier that is applied prior to grouting (as I later read), but still naven´t had a recommended product.

 

[aqua blue]

A solvent based sealer is what you need.

Lithofin FZ impregnator and Lithofin KF grout protector.