I have what looks to be about 5 year old vinyl tile that is rust
colored and is in pretty good shape in my kitchen. It would look a lot
better if the black "fake grout" that surrounds the 1 foot tiles was
not faded. Does anyone have any ideas as to really good cleaners for
tile or something that I could use to make the fake grout look more
like its original color; ie something that would be equivalent to
regrouting the tile black. For instance, are there any permanent
coloring materials that would work. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,


JD

We used to have that if it was a brick color, I think the tile is a
solid vinyl with a painted recess, of course this isnt normal but id try
black oil interior satin trim paint, id guess knowing the tile, brush
and rag off the excess mess, but it will take days. You need it scrubbed
real clean first. But black is probably to black, get a deep bronzetone
and mix into black a slightly lighter color. Those are quality solid
vinyl floors still made today.

normal but id try
black oil interior satin trim paint, id guess knowing the tile, brush
and rag off the excess mess, but it will take days. You need it
scrubbed
real clean first. But black is probably to black, get a deep bronzetone
and mix into black a slightly lighter color.

***********

M Ransley,

Do you really think that the paint will adhere to the "fake
grout" -- if I were to add something black to the "grout", I was
thinking more in terms of some sort of permanent ink or stain.
However, if paint would actually work that would be great.

JD

Ink or stain might ruin the tile when you get it on it,

m Ransley wrote:
Ink or stain might ruin the tile when you get it on it,


If it's only 5 year old tile, it shouldn't be so bad that you'd want to
start trying to color it with anything. All the tiles I've ever seen,
the border area between them, if any, is embedded as part of the tile
itself. I personally like that style, as it does a great job of
hiding the seams.

If it were me, I'd look in the vinyl flooing section of HD or go to a
tile store and get a strong cleaner made for that purpose. Try
cleaning it as best you can and don't screw around trying to color it.

The color on my border wore off, it wasnt embedded it was a painted on
finish on a solid through color tile. Op said it looked 5 yrs old, the
tile will look good for 20 years as mine did till replacing it after 25
years since the color doesnt go away the tiles gust wear thinner, the
tile base is the grey border which is painted. I think Amtico makes it,
its a commercial use solid color through tile product, but not the
border. He has 2 choises replace or play with it. Cleaning good for me
just removed embeded dirt making it worse., since the seam-border finish
was worn away. We just replaced it.