On Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:06:59 -0700, wrote:

On Tuesday afternoon/evening I grouted the new 20X20 porcelain tile
that was laid on my mother's basement floor almost a week earlier. I
have "most" of the tile clean using sponges/water and then terrycloth
towels. I am having trouble getting the grout out of the several
little pits in the porcelain tile. I have tried vinegar with no
results. I tried vinegar and a nylon bristle brush with no results.

The only thing that has worked so far has been a steel brush. I have
not seen any damage on the porcelain using the steel brush but I am
worried I will scratch the porcelain. I have read about using wood
dowels to remove grout from pits on porcelain which makes a steel
brush seem extremely harsh to use on the porcelain.

Can I continue to use the steel brush or should I try Sulfamic acid?

I purchased some Sulfamic acid at Home Depot and the directions said
let the cement cure for 10 days. I left the Sulfamic acid container at
my mother's house and I don't remember if the word was "cement" or
"grout." I worried about using the Sulfamic acid and its affect on the
grout lines I want to keep while I was removing the grout from the
porcelain pits.

How long should I wait to apply the Sulfamic acid?

How much should I dilute the acid at first and can I use a stronger
mixture if my initial efforts still do not work? How much stronger?

What type of brush/sponge/pad/etc should I use with Sulfamic acid?

I have previously read when using any acid, have ventilation and eye
protection,
and rubber gloves if you have sensitive skin.

Any recommendations or suggestions are appreciated.
Terry


Now I would have tried vinegar because to me it wouldn't seem harmful.
However, after my failed attempt, I would call a tiling store. They
might have a simple solution, you haven't thought of.

tom @ www.Consolidated-Loans.info