Grouting has removed gloss effect from ceramic tile

[notoriouseddie]

Hi,

Had my bathroom refurbished recently. I was happy with the job and signed everything off however I had not noticed that the tiles have a slightly 'scuffed' appearance an inch each side of the grout line when the light hits of them at a certain angle. It's almost like someone has scrubbed it with sand paper

There was issues with the grout becoming discouloured after it first dried and my tiler put an epoxy/grout mix over the initial discoloured grout.

Is there anything I can do to polish the tile in these areas to restore them back to their intended glossy appearance. Ive looked online and apparently Brasso can be used to help buff up the tiles

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[ellisjean]

Hi,

Had my bathroom refurbished recently. I was happy with the job and signed everything off however I had not noticed that the tiles have a slightly 'scuffed' appearance an inch each side of the grout line when the light hits of them at a certain angle. It's almost like someone has scrubbed it with sand paper

There was issues with the grout becoming discouloured after it first dried and my tiler put an epoxy/grout mix over the initial discoloured grout.

Is there anything I can do to polish the tile in these areas to restore them back to their intended glossy appearance. Ive looked online and apparently Brasso can be used to help buff up the tiles

Any thoughts?

Thanks

During the process of grouting surplus grout is normally wiped away with a wet sponge, which is fine. But after the grout has dried there is normally a thin layer of dried grout left on the tiles by the sponge which can conceal the gloss of the tile. The normal way to clean this off is to use a dry soft cloth and lots of elbow grease

 

[notoriouseddie]

Thanks for the reply. I dont think it is grout however. When I look really closely at the tile I can see lots of tiny little scratches so im pretty sure the tile has been scuffed.

Any more thoughts?

 

[Richard C]

They may have screwed up & left the grout too long (like next day!) & used wire or SS steel wool to remove it quickly but you’d have a job to scratch ceramic or porcelain with that. What sort of tiles are they, ceramic, porks, natural stone?

 

[tictic]

the scratching/etching is caused by the grout...

the grout is cement based OPC,this does cause scratching etc..on certain types off ceramic/natural tiles...most mfr have changed their spec sheets over the last year or so,because of these issues..
they now advice you to test an area or use a pre-grout sealer..

or you can use a..unsanded grout,but using unsanded grout you are limited to the spacing size..i.e.max space about 3mm..