Is there any way to remove excess grout and save my mosaic tiles?

Asked by sarahsugs (2906

) April 12th, 2008

My friends and I did a mosaic tile project on paving stones for my backyard. We glued the tiles on and then bought grout at an arts and crafts store. We spread grout over the tiles and followed the instructions to let it dry before using a scrubby sponge to remove the excess grout from the top of the tiles. I think maybe we weren’t supposed to really let it dry all the way, because now the tiles have a rock-solid gray film of grout all over them that does not come off. With scrubbing and scrubbing and scrubbing I can get a little of it off, but I am hoping there is any easier way. Is there some solution I could spread over it, or something? I hope we didn’t ruin our works of art!

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3 Answers

elbow grease is the safest way. I have had to clean grout off before, and it sucks. I would maybe google it.

stevenb (3836

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I’ve encountered a similar situation and some serious scrubbing is necessary. I did little every day until it was done. It is definitely best to get as much as possible off the tile face before it dries.

evander (465

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Hydrochloric Acid will cut the grout. It might also react to your paving tiles? Cement sets up but dosen’t cure completly for days. It sounds like this project was just completed. you might try using a high pressure nozzle and blast off all of the grout. You’ll have to re-grout when it dries but this could save a messier and harder job of removing it by hand. There is a product out that is safer than Hydrochloric Acid, haven’t tried it www.chemetalloakite.com
Good luck

boffin (10909

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