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Tile Guard's Tile Grout Coating

1-15-tile grout.jpgThe timing couldn't be more perfect. We were pulling together this post when we saw Grace's plea for a solution to her groddy grout. We've been working on revamping our small bathroom and the last nagging detail that we couldn't shake was the dingy floor. Putting in a new floor is not an option right now, and after trying baking soda, Bar Keeper's Friend and a bleach pen it finally dawned on us that some type of grout dye could work wonders.

Enter Tile Guard's Tile Grout Coating.

Jump below for the before and after.

1-15-tile grout2.jpg

1-15-tile grout3.jpg

1-15-tile grout4.jpg

With a paint brush, a mere 15 minutes of sloppy painting (12 hours of waiting...) and a damp cloth, we've given our bathroom a new lease on life.

-shayna

Comments (14)

i just bought similar stuff online from a company called This Old Grout. great name, right?

http://www.thisoldgrout.com/stainsealer.htm

the grout colorant comes in a wide variety of colors that you can choose from. i went with a shade called "almond".

I hope it works well, my fingers are crossed!

posted by steph309 on 2008-01-15 13:37:47
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wow, great results. Too bad this doesn't work on crappy linoleum floors.... sigh....

posted by BrookeinBoston on 2008-01-15 13:38:38
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Does it look "clean" or painted on? Does it somehow bleach or does it color the grout? I can't tell from the picture. In my last house a prior resident tried to "paint" the grout white and it did not achieve a "new" look but rather a funky painted grout look that did not age well.

I wish I would have known about "This Old Grout" when my kitchen tile was grouted with the wrong color grout!

posted by Jen C on 2008-01-15 14:32:06
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Jen,

It looks clean. I was really pleased with the results. It seems to have dyed the grout and really sunk in nicely. I think the kitchen might be next in line...

Shayna

posted by shayna r on 2008-01-15 14:43:58
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Hi Shayna,

Do you have to tape off the tiles so it won't stain?

Raena

posted by Raena on 2008-01-15 14:58:21
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Thanks for the info. I may have found my next project...

posted by Jen C on 2008-01-15 15:15:15
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I have also been staring at my discolored grout for some time and just ordered a bottle of this stuff. Thanks for sharing.

posted by erinLES on 2008-01-15 15:20:06
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Raena,

The directions implied that you didn't have to so I did a small test behind the toilet before I applied it to the entire floor. But no, I didn't tape anything, just did my best to keep the solution on the grout lines but as you can see in the the middle photo, I was a bit sloppy. It wiped right off most of the tile with a damp cloth and a few of the thicker areas required just a little pressure to clean off. Very very easy....

Shayna

posted by shayna r on 2008-01-15 15:23:20
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You're awesome! Thanks Shayna.

posted by Raena on 2008-01-15 15:34:34
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Thanks for sharing info on this great product. I have slate floors though so I can't join in on the elation as everyone else has :(

Does anyone know of a similar safe-for-slate solution?

posted by kenn on 2008-01-15 17:13:08
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You couldn't have posted this at a better time. I've been slowly fixing grout in my kitchen where some spots are coming loose. I think the contractor that installed the floor didn't have the mixture right when it was grouted. It has been a nuissance for the last 8 years! I've removed the loose stuff and re-grouted the areas but the new grout is lighter in color. I wonder if this will work to even out the color throughout? Do they make a product to go from a lighter grout to a darker grout without making it look like dirty stained grout?

posted by dmstudio on 2008-01-15 18:51:00
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Steph309,
I'd love to know your results for the "This Old Grout" It says you can change from any color to any color. Will you post your experience here when you try it?

posted by dmstudio on 2008-01-15 18:54:28
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My grout looks just like yours. I just got back from Lowes and now I'm really annoyed. They had Tile Guard grout color pens in gray & almond, but I need white. They look very similar to the Clorox bleach pens, so the application's probably much easier than the above product.

If I can get my hands on one, I'll post back w/ my results.

posted by Jsmith on 2008-01-16 23:53:33
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An old toothbrush and toothpaste works! I've used it. Pretty labor intensive but will clean grout sparkling white!!

posted by Sisero on 2008-01-17 01:11:37
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