V And B Copper Fleck Tiles Grouting

[hillian]

Hi Guys, think I made a boo boo.
I've put up about 15 sq.m. of 600 x 300 V and B porcelain tiles that are textured and have a copper fleck in them. I think maybe I left it too long after applying before washing off, and ended up with a grout residue over the tiles. I washed them off again, buffed up with a dry cloth, but still there.
In desperation I had some HG limex efflorescence cleaner in the van, so I dabbed this over the tiles with a cloth and then washed it off after about 5 minutes.
All looked well when I left, but a few days later they have now turned blue. I've been back and washed them off loads of times but now the copper flecks have disappeared and the customer is very upset and wants it redone.
Any ideas or advice on what I should have done, or can do please.

 

[Lithofin BOB]

The acidic based product has possibly oxidised with the copper flec and possibly disolved /attacked this leaving the blue trace, a mild alkaline could have been tested as this can break down the grout residue by making the polymer water soluble and release ,rather than attacking the cementisiouse part with an acid. I know this is to late now , do you have some pics as it is now . Perhaps we can reverse the chemical reaction , or has it removed them fully. Did you rinse the tiles after use the product and cloth.

 

[hillian]

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately it has removed or dissolved the copper. It was washed off, perhaps not quick enough. What could I have done better?

 

[Lithofin BOB]

I think the importance of testing products, I know this took a few days to contaminate.
I test any cleaner on a spare tile, this is not contaminated the same as your floor , but can show you results of damage to the tile itself if an incorrect cleaner is chosen. Alway clean half a spare tile, then you can compare after this is rinsed and dried. If you don't have a spare, as a restorer I take off kick boards and test under units, if you can't get to these hidden tiles , find the most discreet area possible for a tile test.

Also If you use cleaning products call the tech lines for the manufacturer you use , numbers generally on the bottle . before use, a quick call and you can discuss suitability of tile and cleaner, the technicians from all company's will have experience with most tile situations, I promise you ,you won't be the first to ask and it's best to check for any situation ,that's what we are there for.

As above , metal flec tiles , I tend to use a mild alkaline which can break polymer ,with a white pad. Caution !!! Alkaline can also effect these tiles. All about the testing