Qrock lost sheen

[John_F]

Hi we had our bathroom tiled back in 2009 as part of a house renovation. We used black Qrock from topps tiles (rough textured, black porcelain tiles).

I'm not sure if the grout was left on too long or whether it was a more coarse grout that took sheen off. Anyhow instead of being black they are greyish. Finally getting round to sorting it after so long!

I've just used Fila residue remover extra strong and scrubbed with a scotchpad. Not sure if I was pressing too hard but tiles are now even greyer. However, when they are wet they look cracking and the black really stands out.

Is there any sort of sealer that can give the permanently wet look that can be used in both wet and dry areas (i.e. shower and basin splash back) that work with rough textured porcelain tiles?

Cheers

John

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Hi John,

Is your grout black or dark grey?

After cleaning has your grout lightened ?

If you rub your finger really hard on a tile , do you get a rubbery residue ,does darker show though, this could mean you have a polymer residue and we need to use an alkali rather than an acid cleaner. Acid based cleaner can also turn polymers white often looking worse than when you started.

Cant use wet look ( topical) sealers in a bathroom , also issues with bind to a porc.

 

[foggy34]

ahh the dreaded Q-rock, went thru a number of items to try and rectify this problem lith wax off ,colour enhancer to name but a few on advise from lithofin nothing brought colour back on face of tile-Riven porcelain !

in end all came up and re-tiled using different tile.under the washing machine and tumble dryer tho was jet black and looked brand new which led me to think an abrasive cleaner might have been used

there has been another thread or 2 regarding this issue on here

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Foggy, surprised we recommended the enhancer as we don't recommend colour enhancers on porc it's a nat stone product .!!

Wax off would have been for polymer breakdown , this has been successful on a few of these issues, main concern is dependant on which grout is used and to ensure you test an unlaid tile for grout release first before getting on the floor area. Once that grout gets into the small cappilaries it can be very difficult to remove this.

I Read the other threads you suggested , is this a sealed or non sealed tile- seems to be a bit of confusion?

Even when sealed with with an impregnating porcelain sealer, this only lines the cappilaries and does not fill them , I have used the bal temporary seal ( topical) over these types before which made life easier ,not sure they make it any more.

 

[foggy34]

I may have been wrong with the colour enhancer was few years ago!we tried few products from yourself but couldn't find a solution so the company I work for supplied new tiles for customer and we relaid, hope you can help with the issue and will follow with interest

 

[Lithofin BOB]

Some of these mate we just can't clear, so important to test an unlaid tile -textured porcelain or natural or even polished for that matter for that grout release ,saves a lot of headaches!,

 

[John_F]

Hi, the grout was grey. Still got the left over bag in cellar! It was grey BAL SuperFlex extra wide joint grout.

I've given it a few more cleans and scrubs with Fila Residue Remover extra strong and rinsed it off. It looks a lot better but might give it a couple more goes and the missus is a lot happier with it.

Do you reckon it would be worth trying with cement away. Failing that it doesn't loo bad so will make do.

Cheers

John

 

[Lithofin BOB]

hi John , No , do not use cement away, (if lithofin )-hydrochloric based and for external use , vapour issues,
keep going with light washes with the fila product, good product. pre wet your grout joints

if you get to a point and there is no improvement,( slight whitening still visible) might be worth using an alkali product and white pad ( from us Lithofin intensive cleaner dilute and test 1-3), this will then hopefully breakdown polymers which may be present in the surface capillaries.