Let me start by saying that I am a newbie at the whole tiling thing. I
just finished tiling my first wall, and grouted yesterday. It turns
out that the guy in the tile shop put the wrong shade of grey on our
order, and now I'm stuck with light grey grout lines instead of a
medium grey that matches the tile. What is my best approach to solve
this problem?

- I've heard of using a rotary tool (RotoZip or Dremel) with a
reinforced cutting attachment to clean out the grout. Since I have a
RotoZip, this could be a viable solution, however I'm afraid of
damaging the tile in the process.

- I've used a grout saw in the past to replace damaged grout in small
areas, but this would take forever on a wall (some 70 sq ft).

- I've also heard of grout colorants, but they kind of sound like a
coat of paint that would wear off over time.

I'm open to ideas.

--Ian

everything you want to know.

http://www.johnbridge.com/Grout%20Colorants.htm


wrote in message
oups.com...
Let me start by saying that I am a newbie at the whole tiling thing. I
just finished tiling my first wall, and grouted yesterday. It turns
out that the guy in the tile shop put the wrong shade of grey on our
order, and now I'm stuck with light grey grout lines instead of a
medium grey that matches the tile. What is my best approach to solve
this problem?

- I've heard of using a rotary tool (RotoZip or Dremel) with a
reinforced cutting attachment to clean out the grout. Since I have a
RotoZip, this could be a viable solution, however I'm afraid of
damaging the tile in the process.

- I've used a grout saw in the past to replace damaged grout in small
areas, but this would take forever on a wall (some 70 sq ft).

- I've also heard of grout colorants, but they kind of sound like a
coat of paint that would wear off over time.

I'm open to ideas.

--Ian

wrote in message
oups.com...
Let me start by saying that I am a newbie at the whole tiling thing. I
just finished tiling my first wall, and grouted yesterday. It turns
out that the guy in the tile shop put the wrong shade of grey on our
order, and now I'm stuck with light grey grout lines instead of a
medium grey that matches the tile. What is my best approach to solve
this problem?

- I've heard of using a rotary tool (RotoZip or Dremel) with a
reinforced cutting attachment to clean out the grout. Since I have a
RotoZip, this could be a viable solution, however I'm afraid of
damaging the tile in the process.

- I've used a grout saw in the past to replace damaged grout in small
areas, but this would take forever on a wall (some 70 sq ft).

- I've also heard of grout colorants, but they kind of sound like a
coat of paint that would wear off over time.

I'm open to ideas.

--Ian




Try a color enhancing penetrating sealer. It should darken the grout a
little but I don't know if that would be enough for you. If the color looks
good when it is wet but not dry, this may work.

Look for a penetrating colorant and do not seal before you apply it or it
will not soak in. If the tile is porous, you may stain it too so make sure
the tile is compatible with whatever process you choose.

Otherwise, get used to it, dosen't sound all that bad. Removing the grout
will take as much time as the whole project did to this point. The roto
tool method risks damaging the tiles

If there are decent gaps between the tiles, you can dig the grout out with a
utilitiy knife.

Unfortunately, there isn't a fast way to remove lots of grout...


wrote in message
oups.com...
Let me start by saying that I am a newbie at the whole tiling thing. I
just finished tiling my first wall, and grouted yesterday. It turns
out that the guy in the tile shop put the wrong shade of grey on our
order, and now I'm stuck with light grey grout lines instead of a
medium grey that matches the tile. What is my best approach to solve
this problem?

- I've heard of using a rotary tool (RotoZip or Dremel) with a
reinforced cutting attachment to clean out the grout. Since I have a
RotoZip, this could be a viable solution, however I'm afraid of
damaging the tile in the process.

- I've used a grout saw in the past to replace damaged grout in small
areas, but this would take forever on a wall (some 70 sq ft).

- I've also heard of grout colorants, but they kind of sound like a
coat of paint that would wear off over time.

I'm open to ideas.

--Ian

Thanks for the suggestions. I found an oil based grout stain made by
Bostik. I'm going to attempt this in a small area to see if I like it.
If it is not to my liking I also purchased a grout sealer/enhancer
from Lowes made by AquaMix. I'll give an update on once I try the
stuff out.

-- Ian

Bostik CeramaSeal Grout Stain
http://www.bostik-us.com/products/in...egoryPageId=19

AquaMix Color Enhancing Sealer
http://www.aquamix.com/for_home_use/...450&pgid=37155