Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Sep 19, 1999 07:05am | #1

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   Oh Poor Carl,

   I don't mean to make light of your situation and of course Customs and the "Classic" tile manufacturer may claim this is the first they have heard of such a problem.

   First off, you must understand the different absorption rates between a "floor rated" product and a "wall rated product. Vitreous/ non-vitreous ring a bell?

   Second, what you are calling "cracks" in the surface of the wall tile is actually "crazing".

   Third, acids will have very little effect on the "latices" that are present in an SBR, acrylic or latex modified grout except leaves a white efflorescent scum on your black grout making it appear "white" or bleached. The use of any type of acid on a soft glazed tile could irrepairably damage the glaze.

   Fourthly, if you were actually a professional tile mechanic you would have already made this mistake and would have not made it again.

   Last, their may be a solution but it will take some work. What you need is a product that will dissolve the SBR/Latex without harming the glazed surface. This product will usually contain a surfactant/wetting agent as well as a water based latex/acrylic/SBR solvent. I don't have time to look up what Custom Building Products recommends but if you go to their website, I am sure they recommend a specific product. The thoroughly dampen the Bisque of absorptive tile prior to grouting and use the solvent within a very short (1-4 hours) after the gout is applied. However, if you have your ass in a wringer, use the product full strength, pour it into a gallon bucket of clear pine sawdust and rub your little heart out. The sawdust acts as a safe abrasive and carries the pigments away as well as anything I know. And I have used kitty litter, burlap, white 3M pads, etc.

   Keep us updated. And NEVER....ever.....Never use black grout on any type of tile without pre-testing, especially soft wall tile.

   Of course you already know this, right?

   Good luck,

   Jeff

2. 
   Carl_Roner | Sep 19, 1999 07:46am | #2

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   Jeff;
   Thanks for the advice. Learned my lesson. Unfortunately, I am but a rank amateur, weekend warrior, honeydo husband. Yes I knew there was a difference between floor and wall tile, but I never suspected that would be so apparent. Fortunately, I have only done a portion of the wall. I will see if I can find some of this latex/acrylic/SBR solvent. Is there a seal that I can put on the tile prior to grouting that would resist the grout and seal up the pores? My wife wanted black grout to avoid cleaning the white stuff, but now it doesn't seem like such a good idea.

3. 
   Carl_Roner | Sep 19, 1999 07:46am | #3

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   I am currently tiling a shower stall. I used a white American-made wall tile, "Classic" brand and Charcoal non-sanded tile grout from "Polyblend", (Custom Building Products). Unfortunately, the black grout has stained the white tile. It has also made a number of fine cracks visible in the tile. The net effect is not desireable, and I am at wits end, having tried a number of tile cleaners. I haven't tried a phosphoric acid based cleaner, as it will bleach the black grout. I did notice that the wall tile was much softer than the floor tile I used, which did not stain. Should I seal the tile before grouting? I would appreciate any thoughts on this.