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[ripley]

Googled it up and found that there is such a thing as grout colourant which can be brushed on. But can't find a source in Thailand. Anyone know about this?? Or possible substitute?

[haveaniceday]

Do you mean brushed on like a thick paint over old grout? Sounds interesting.

Not coloring grout that is being applied?

[ripley]

As I understand it, this isn't a thick paint-like colourant. You carefully brush it on, rather like a stain, directly to the grouting between your tiles to change the colour. Yeah, it does sound kewl & just what I'm needing. As we know, often old tiles look tacky because the grout has got discoloured.

Google says it exists.

Now we just have to find it....

[haveaniceday]

I am interested, and looking in farlang land, do you have a link to what you have found so far?

[haveaniceday]

I just rang this mob, it is not on their web site, but yep it does exist, they stock White, Ivory & Grey. $13 for  125ml bottle.  ($ = AUD but almost the same as USD).
Brand, Decoratorz Maid. with a z.

They described it as a watery liquid stain, that may need several applications to get the desired result that you apply with a fine paint brush.

http://www.bunnings....esives & Grouts

[ripley]

I googled the colourant some time ago so can't remember sites at the moment. But will do so again & reply here. But, no, the colourant needs only one application.

Meanwhile, someone wrote me that removing the old grout, replacing it and applying a protective coat is not all that big a deal. Still, the colourant looked so easy I'd like to source it if possible.

[ripley]

Does anyone know:

   Is there any reason why a waterproof enamel paint could not be applied to (completely dry) old grouting? Just askin'.....!

[fredob43]

ripley, on 2012-02-10 12:30:46, said:

I googled the colourant some time ago so can't remember sites at the moment. But will do so again & reply here. But, no, the colourant needs only one application.

Meanwhile, someone wrote me that removing the old grout, replacing it and applying a protective coat is not all that big a deal. Still, the colourant looked so easy I'd like to source it if possible.

I was the tiling game in England for well over 30 year's so I'm not just guessing. You don't state if you want to do wall or floor, colour of old grout more info needed. In my experience tinting grout doesn't work no matter what they say on the label, it go's patchy that's because of the grease build up on old grout and you will have that in a matter of week's. The only way to do the job is first remove the old grout a real bugger. There in lie's problem no: 1 in Thailand they use a form of floor grout even for the walls so it's very strong. If it's for the floor you can use Vixol "White" grout/tile cleaner sold ever ware. Big C, Tesco's, Makro, follow instruction's on the bottle. But if you use it undiluted and leave it for 20 min's or so it will take all the old grout out. Might need two or three go's. Tip 1 it smell's so have plenty of ventilation. Wash it off well and let it dry then you can re-grout with what ever colour you want. Most of the grout they use here is either white ,Grey, or a form of Black, but they do sell tint powder that you can add to white to make up your own shade. Tip 2 mix the the grout + tint all at once as you could have problem's with colour match. Tip 3 it dries several shade's lighter than when wet so do a few try out's first, by that I mean mix a bit of tint with grout and let it dry that will give you an idea of what tint you need to add. That's for the floor. Now we get to the wall's Vixol is just like water so if you try and use it on the wall's you will have a big problem as it will run off. Can still be done but it take's a long time do a small bit at a time. Tip 4 If Vixol get's near S/Steel or any other plated mettle it will turn it black that go's for anything that's not ceramic it will bugger it BIG time so be very careful and ware glove's. It wont work on Granite or Marble only ceramic. Hope this help's. If you want any more info just ask. Best of luck. N/B NEVER try and scrape out old grout as you will bugger the edge's of the Tile's/Glaze.

Edited by fredob43, 2012-02-15 07:28:33.

[ripley]

Thank you big-time for all the info. I want to refresh/re-colour ceramic tile floors and walls - especially in bathroom.

At the moment have encountered ceramic difficulties of another kind - i.e. major dental work! - so have to put off project for a while. But when I start, will take you up on kind offer for further tips.

Thanks also to Kamalabob for his input via message.

[fredob43]

ripley, on 2012-02-15 14:49:09, said:

Thank you big-time for all the info. I want to refresh/re-colour ceramic tile floors and walls - especially in bathroom.

At the moment have encountered ceramic difficulties of another kind - i.e. major dental work! - so have to put off project for a while. But when I start, will take you up on kind offer for further tips.

Thanks also to Kamalabob for his input via message.

Your welcome I am a mind of useless information. If you need any advice please put in your post then PM me as I rarely look in this topic. Question's and answer's might help all.

[haveaniceday]

OK, we have a brain to pick now !!!!!

I have heard that strong chlorine destroys grout, apparently a problem with some pools that are mismanaged.
Do you know if bleach (hygiene in Thailand) effects grout?  Just asking before I try a test area.

Thanks  

[bankruatsteve]

Pick out a color of latex paint, thin it out with water, and wala that's a stain that should stain to the grout and wash off the tile.  I think.

[fredob43]

haveaniceday, on 2012-02-15 23:28:41, said:

OK, we have a brain to pick now !!!!!

I have heard that strong chlorine destroys grout, apparently a problem with some pools that are mismanaged.
Do you know if bleach (hygiene in Thailand) effects grout?  Just asking before I try a test area.

Thanks  

No problem with using bleach, It will do a cleaning job fine except for heavy stain's and the smell. To clean tile's well if you use one of the Vixol product's I think there's three clean's them better and quicker. After just one application they will come up like new, just don't leave it on to long. Follow the instructions on bottle. And wash off well. Tip bleach wont bugger S/Steel Chrome, Vixol will if you leave it on to long.
In reply to B/Steve nothing will adhere to grease and ALL tile's/grout will have a grease deposit within a few day's/week's from new. Soap alone will do that. I have never seen a colourant yet that work's without going patchy, The first thing they say on the bottle will be to clean the tile's/grout well. Normal grout is like concrete lot's of tiny hole's and nigh on impossible to get rid of every bit of dirt. Epoxy grout is a different kettle of fish but I have never seen it used here. If you leave just a small bit you will have a problem.

Edited by fredob43, 2012-02-16 05:39:16.

[ripley]

If you google up "grout colourant" you'll find a site "naturalhandyman". Shows some pictures of results, instructions on application & mentions one brand (Aquamix).

I'd be interested in fredob43 's comments on it. Have you heard of this one?

Edited by ripley, 2012-02-17 20:51:51.

[fredob43]

ripley, on 2012-02-17 20:51:18, said:

If you google up "grout colourant" you'll find a site "naturalhandyman". Shows some pictures of results, instructions on application & mentions one brand (Aquamix).

I'd be interested in fredob43 's comments on it. Have you heard of this one?

Looked up your site and sorry to say couldn't find Natural handy man. But the name alone will tell you it's a form of Do It Yourself blog. I have used Aquamix product's before and they are very good. But I still state that trying to re colour grout is a non starter. While I was at it I looked at several other site's and they all say grout must be very clean. That's where in the problem lie's no matter how well you think you clean it it will still have some dirt/grease and the colourant will not work it will go patchy. Another thing have a good look at your grout and you will find it won't be even. IE some bit's will be wider than other's if you add colour to it and per chance it half work's it will pick up all the imperfection's, and look like what it is a bodge up. Only one way to do the job properly and that's to take the old grout out, and as said not an easy job but can be done and re grout. N/B Aquamix say's on it's wed site that it's cleaner will clean ready for re colouring epoxy grout. Epoxy grout just happen's to be once cured 24 hours impervious to all Chemical's, Germ's, and Acid's, hence it's the grout you use on tiled work top's. All Hospital's in England demand that it is used for all form's of tile grouting.
Whether it work's or not is up to you to decide.

Edited by fredob43, 2012-02-17 23:19:50.

[ripley]

So - is the idea of using enamel paint on well-dried grout a non-starter for sure?

[fredob43]

ripley, on 2012-02-21 00:27:06, said:

So - is the idea of using enamel paint on well-dried grout a non-starter for sure?

I have never heard of it being used. Enamel paint stick's to a lot of thing's so could work who know's. But what you have to ask yourself is how are you going to put it on paint brush. Have you ever tried to paint a strait line free hand horizontal or vertical, let alone how long it would take all to end up if it go's wrong a total bugger up. I wouldn't even think about doing it, but if you think it's worth a go up to you. Tip try one tile first because if and I'm sure it will go pair shaped you will only have that to deal with. Best of luck.

[leogerritsen]

I used the grout colourant once in Holland and for me it was disappointing.