grout haze remover

[customwoodworking]

We installed about 800 sq ft of a wood plank looking porcelan tile. the installation is very nice and looks great but with so much floor to cover when we were wiping after grout we did not get it 100 percent clean maybe 85 percent. Thinking the rest would buff out we left it, but with the "grain" in the tile and some heavier areas we now have to clean the residue off. It is a large space and the thought of buffing a matte finish tile with a terry cloth by hand is making my head hurt. Besides I dont know that would get it all. What do you guys use for a grout haze remover if any and whats the best process? any input would be great.

[MarkMc]

Sulfamic acid... and it's four letter work.

[aerieandy]

Just had a bit of a nightmare myself. Installed about 240 Sq of ceramic tile last week. The tile from a local artisan shop has a absorption rate of .082%, and was very smooth, but at the eleventh hour an accent tile was added to the design. Same bisque different glaze with a slightly (very very slight) texture. The cleaning went perfectly except for the accent tiles, could not get the haze off. I think it was exacerbated by the latex admixture I was using (50/50 split with water)
After checking with the tile maker (who belatedly told me they strongly recommend sealing that particular color, and perplexes me to no end because it's impervious) He recommended either "plumbers buddy" (never heard of it) or muriatic acid (don't want to go there). Other folks on other threads have recommended vinegar and water (seams like a bad Idea next to a grout joint unless it's completely cured).
I finally tried a product from Hydroment called "remove". Can be used in a couple different ways, full strength or diluted. In my case it seems to work well but definitely doesn't eliminate the drudgery of getting it done (lots of elbow grease). It's designed for cleaning problematic latex residue FWIW
If the haze goes away when it's wet you could try a stone enhancer (worked for me once) but that isn't a permanent solution because eventually that will have to be reapplied.

Best of luck

[dgbldr]

Sulfamic is pretty standard procedure for this. Labor intensive.

If it's a real large area I would try a couple experiments first. Take some real stiff scrub pads (the ones for tile, not just any pads) and rub a spot real well. Use dry, no acid. If it works, go rent a floor machine with a 12" disc of similar material and you're in business.

[BillWil]

I went with the floor machine technique a couple of times. I did use acid once, and never again. Just too much to worry about and too messy with all the clean up after. The floor machine works, it takes time, and you will need a grinder type machine to get under any toekicks.

[mbyrne]

Customwoodworking: Can you please tell us about the surface finish of the tile? Is it smooth, or is the surface impressed with a "grain"? Although I do not know the brand of tile you are using, I suspect the tiles have a grainy finish; otherwise, the haze should not be too difficult to remove. Also, can you supply the brand of grout? Haze from regular cementitious grouts should not be too difficult to remove, but latex types can be a problem - especially if the haze has remained on the tile surface for several days.

Floor machines are often used on very large commercial tile installations, but they are usually employed a day or two after the grout has been installed. Machine cleaning may create it own residue that will need to be removed with a wet/dry vac.

I suggest, before resorting to acids or scrubbing pads, that you contact the grout manufacturer and see if the company makes a cleaner specifically for the grout you used. If you cannot get help from the manufacturer, get back to us. As well, if the manufacturer's advice IS helpful, please post the cure so other forum members can benefit.

[customwoodworking]

The tile is impressed with a grain. The grout is "custom blended" for The Tile Shop. A retail store we are seeing a lot of in these parts. My client went in and chose everything and they just sell sell sell. Anyway the grout did have a latex additive which I suspected was part of the problem, but upon talking to a sales rep at the store he sold us a haze remover that contains citric acid and can be diluted if need be. We mixed up a bucket about 8 oz of remover to 3 gallons water liberally doused managable sized areas let it sit for five minutes. (tended to fizz a bit) and scrubbed down with a stiff brush on a pole. Wiped clean let dry and VOILA. Really clean. There may be a very small spot in one or two areas but we will scrub it full strength upon final punch. Not horrible work and faster with two guys 800 sq ft in about four hours.

[mbyrne]

Thanks customwoodworking,
Many grout manufacturers have a haze cleaner specially formulated for their grouts.