Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Hard Floor Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Phil @ Extreme Clean on November 28, 2012, 09:23:33 am
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Hi Kevin i have sent you an email mate.
Also what would be best way to manually clean wall tiles in peoples bathrooms grout included.
Cheers Phil.
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(http://toothdoctors.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/toothbrush.jpg)
No joke.
An emulsifying pad may be helpful also.
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(http://i48.tinypic.com/1zel7rr.jpg)
These are the tiles they have dried grout pen on them and the grout is pink and black in places through mold Cheers.
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Hello Phil
We clean 1000's of bathrooms mainly commercial but the same principles apply to both.
Clean first with a mild alkali cleaner to get rid of body fats etc and follow up with a mild phosphoric acid based cleaner.Scrub the grout lines with a tooth brush or better still a commercial equivalent.Rub the tiles with a scotchbrite-clean again with alkali and rinse with plenty of water.The tiles should now be really smooth since the limescale should have been removed.
And this is the problem and why we got into colour sealing - the grout lines will probably be stained in areas and at best discoloured(yellow) - we found even with a steamer that this discolouring remained.
We would carry out the clean above and then just colour seal- the results are sensationsl and the grout will look brand new - better still the cleaning of it is now very staright forward so some real value for the customer.
It is a very staright forward process and saves hours of scrubbing to only end up with very mediocre results.
I have tried to add a couple of before and after photographs of a Hotel we were working in last week where they had applied the dreaded grout pen - this has to be scraped out -however most comes off with the deep clean described above.
Its the first time i have tried to put photos on so if they don't appear i will try again later or phone me (07831 249600) and i will send them to you.
Hope that helps and i haven't ambushed the post - it just happened to be something that we do all the time.
Steve
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There are solvent boosted acids available that will do the degreasing and scale removal in one step.
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Sounds interesting-can you point me in the right direction
Steve
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www.bonasystems.co.uk (http://www.bonasystems.co.uk)
Strictly for ceramic/porcelain tiles due to their acidic nature.
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There are solvent boosted acids available that will do the degreasing and scale removal in one step.
Doe's this clean the grout also ?
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Yes its a strong acid so some care is required when using it. Its a real time saver on commercial jobs like changing room showers etc.
If its your first time out you would be best to go down the degreaser & phosphoric acid route suggested.
You may find the grout pen is your biggest problem. Aqua Mix do a sealing & coating remover which Kevin can supply. This is very viscous and will cling to the grout lines and should break down the grout pen along with any fats present above or below.
Once rinsed some phosphoric from a trigger spray to etch the grout then a sealer of choice would complete.
As suggested a colour seal may be needed if the grout is very discoloured.
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The suggested method of high alkaline and then diluted Phosphoric acid is a good one and what we teach on our courses. Essentially the high Alkaline cleans, degreases and gets rid of the body fats, shampoo etc then the diluted phosphoric acid keys the grout. This allows the epoxy based grout colorant to bond to the grout better. There is also a fantastic product on the market from LTP to get rid of mould quite simply called LTP Mouldex. It requires quite a long dwell time but the stuff is absolutely amazing. (See link below). I always advocate if you want to have a go at grout coloring either do your own bathroom or kitchen splashbacks at home first. We used to sell around 3-400 Bottles of grout colorant a year 5 years ago we now sell around 3000 and it is increasing.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130722612387&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130717785568&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
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So Kevin would your HDT+G not be good enough i thought it would be if it works on floors ?
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So Kevin would your HDT+G not be good enough i thought it would be if it works on floors ?
Phil
Yes it is great but you should still key the grout with the Phosphoric Acid afterwards to let the Colorant bond
Kev Martin
Tiling Logistics
Marblelife Ltd
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Ok going off post above what do i need to do this iv'e got some Aqua HDT+G so need the acid and white grout colour also what precautions do i need to take and other than a toothbrush what else do i need Thankyou.
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Grout Colorant Brushes are better than toothbrushes but I find Hand Emulsifying pads good as well.
As well as the Aqua Mix HDT&G Cleaner You will need Aqua Mix Phosphoric Acid Substitute and Aqua Mix Grout Colorant. You may require Aqua Mix Sealing & Coating remover as well but do a test area to check first. If in doubt e mail me or call me and Iwill talk you through it!
Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Tiling Logistics
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Kev will you email me the prices please and step by step instructions.
Cheers Phil.
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Phil
E Mail exactly what you want and what sizes and I will e mail you a proforma price list
Kev Martin
Marblelife Ltd
Tiling Logistics
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Email sent Kev.