The Grout Dye Company
1-888-249-0240
Selling GDC
Epoxy Grout Colorants online since 1996
The Grout Dye Company
1-888-249-0240 Selling GDC Epoxy Grout Colorants online since 1996 |
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Trouble Shooting Guide
Grout dried to light or the wrong color This section will show you the best way to get your new tile grout back to it's original intended color. Cement based grouts discolor for many reasons, and their are few remedies for this situation when this happens. To wonder and contemplate who's fault it is or how it happened, won't get you to a solution. For now the problem needs to be resolved and the best way to restore the grout back to it's intended color is by the application of GDC grout stain colorants. Before the introduction of grout colorants - The only way to fix a grout discoloration problem was to either cut out all the grout, or acid wash it. Both procedures, had many flaws. 1# Grout removal- Sometimes the grout was removed, but when you regrout their is still a chance that the grout would discolor a second time. And while their are contractors who will cut out the grout and regrout, the floor or wall it is also expensive to have done and usually damages the tile. Note: you can't smear new grout over old grout it will eventually crack and dislodge from the tile joint. New grout must be re-applied at least an 1/8- 1/14 inch deep into the grout joint, a very expensive, time consuming and laborious job. 2# Acid washing- Another old way of trying to bring back the grouts natural color is by using muriatic acids, this was under the pre tense that the grout might have, dried grout residual on top of it, or that the grout had efflorescence problems. And they used Muriatic acids as a flawed remedy to these problems. In very rare cases sometimes an acid wash would work, but most often it would fail. Also Muriatic acids are extremely damaging to tile and grout. Not to mention the health hazards associated to using strong acids. 3# Grout colorants- Grout colorants were first developed by the tile industry, as a restoration technique used to solve many grout discoloration problems, and today it is still the industry standard. So with the advance in colorant technology, we now rely on grout colorants to not only recolor cement based grouts but to seal them also. So in conclusion don't worry if your grout dried the wrong color, our GDC grout stain colorants are the solution to your problems. 4# What color to pick?- If you liked the color that you originally picked when you were, in the tile store you just need to know the grout manufacturers name and the color name, you can then cross reference that information to our GDC on line manufacturers color charts, Or you can browse the different grout manufacturers colors that we match to our GDC grout stain colorant formula. Using the link below Please use double clicking. You are now on your way to Recoloring, Restoring, and Sealing your tile grout. Wrong grout color was installed This section will show you the best way to get your new tile grout back to it's original intended color. Using GDC grout stain colorants. If you have had a new tile installation, and the wrong grout color was installed. To wonder and contemplate who's fault it is or how it happened, won't get you to a solution. For now the problem needs to be resolved and the best way to restore the grout back to it's intended color is by the application of GDC grout stain colorants. Before the introduction of grout colorants -, The only way to fix a wrong grout color installation problem, was to either cut out all the grout, or acid wash it. Both procedure had many flaws. 1# Grout removal- Sometimes the grout was removed but when you regrout their is still a chance that the grout would discolor a second time. And while their are contractors who will cut out the grout and regrout, the floor or wall it is also expensive to have done and usually damages the tile. Note: you can't smear new grout over old grout it will eventually crack and dislodge from the tile joint. New grout must be reapplied at least an 1/8- 1/14 inch deep into the grout joint, a very expensive, time consuming and laborious job. And can damage and chip the tile. 2# Acid washing- Another old way of trying to bring back the grouts natural color is by using Muriatic acids, this was under the pre tense that the grout might have, dried grout residual on top of it, or that the grout had efflorescence problems. And they used Muriatic acids as a flawed remedy to these problems. Also Muriatic acids are extremely damaging to tile and grout. In very rare cases sometimes an acid wash would work, but most often it would fail. Not to mention the health hazards associated to using strong acids. 3# Grout colorants- Grout colorants were first developed by the tile industry, as a restoration technique used to solve many grout discoloration problems, and today is still the industry standard. So with the advance in colorant technology, we now rely on grout colorants to not only recolor cement based grouts but to seal them also. 4# What color to pick?- If you liked the color that you originally picked when you were, in the tile store you just need to know the grout manufacturers name and the color name, you can then cross reference that information to our GDC on line manufacturers color charts, you can browse the different grout manufacturers colors that we match to our GDC grout stain colorant formula. Using the link below Please use double clicking. You are now on your way to Recoloring, Restoring, and Sealing your tile grout If your tile grout has been previously sealed Our GDC grout stain colorants form a very strong bond to, cement based grouts. However to increase that bond it is important to make sure the the grout is free of and dirt, sealers or other contaminants, to achieve this, we recommend that you use our GDC sealer remover, before colorant application. And for older grouts you can use the GDC pre treat cleaner, after the sealer remover has been used. The pre treat cleaner will make the grout more porous and will allow the grout to absorb the colorant deeper. If you are not sure whether or not the grout has been sealed try this test below. Try this test
Below are the easy to understand steps. To prepare your existing grout for colorant. Please note that you might not need to do all of the below steps to prepare your grout for colorant. Please print this out for easy reference.
If you are looking for a particular manufacturers grout color
Give your tile and grout a new look. 1# Our GDC grout stain colorants will give your tile and grout a whole new look and Seal the grout also. That's right, by simply Color Sealing your tile grout either the same color or by changing the color, you will make your floor look new again. You can choose from a wide range of colors, it doesn't matter what grout manufacturers color was originally installed in your walls, floors, or countertops, or whether you have sanded or unsanded grout. Now that we have explained how our GDC grout stain colorants can revive your tile and grout. It's time to explain how these products are applied. Our GDC grout stain colorants form a tenacious bond to floor and wall cement based grouts. But in order to achieve this bond, the grout needs to be basically clean, and must be free of soiled contaminants, and water or oil based sealers. This rule of thumb applies to every and any grout coloring product on the market not just ours.
So here's how you Restore, Recolor and Seal older tile grout. 1. If the grout is sealed remove the sealer with our GDC grout sealer remover 2. If the grout has not been sealed then, you should clean the floor with our GDC pre treat cleaner, this is a slightly acidic formulae with no surfactants, that deep cleans the grout and opens the pours of the grout so the colorant can penetrate deeper. Some of our GDC grout colorant kits contain the pre treat cleaner. 3. Next, select a grout color you can choose from any grout color chart Our GDC grout stain is very easy to apply, but since every floor and wall grout restoration project is unique, their are going to be questions that you will have, while we encourage you to read, research and browse our website and check out the trouble shooting guide. We understand that their are going to be times where you might need an expert for advice, in such case please contact our Expert department at groutdye@aol.com You can also browse frequently asked questions below Q-Can I get expert advice on the phone- No, we are usually to busy to answer the phones and also we need to have the right tech rep answer your questions, everyone specializes in specific areas Please email us your questions to groutdye@aol.com Q-Should I seal my grout? Yes, it is one of the most important things that you can have done. You can use a clear penetrating sealer, but we feel that it is better to seal your grout with our GDC grout stain colorants. They offer better topical protection then most penetrating sealers and maintain grout color. Q-I have a tile floor that is five years old, the grout was never sealed, can seal with a grout colorant product ? Yes, but it must be cleaned first. Since it is old their might be some stains that won't come out. You seal the grout for two reasons, the first being for easy maintenance and the second reason is because grout is porous. Every time you wash your floor or take a shower, a little bit of moisture seeps into your sub-floors or walls. Sealing the grout can help prevent this. Q- We recently had our Shower Tiled and Grouted however the contractor but down the wrong color. Can we use your colorant on are shower walls and floors? Yes, you can use our grout colorant on your shower walls and floors, however please note, it will possibly have to be touched up in a year or sooner depend on the traffic and water in your shower. Q-Should I clean (maintain) my tile floor with vinegar? No, No, No-it is only used as a shock treatment or a mild acidic wash before using a grout colorant Q-How can I tell if grout is cement or epoxy? What is the best way to clean each? I have a slate floor with grey grout and when it was clean some of the colorant was removed but not all of it. In addition, the drying time was excessive in spots but not in others. Could this possibly be due to improper installation? The floor is only 1 year old but is heavily used, and is only mopped with plain water 2 times a day. How can I tell if grout is cement or epoxy? Take a small amount of phosphoric acid drop it on a grout line if it bubbles then it is a cement grout if it doesn't then it is epoxy. Q-Does the Grout Dye Company also do this type of work- Yes, Our phone number is here because we are also a restoration company that serves the tri-state area. We sell the colorant/dye that we use ourselves in our restoration services. That's why we know it works! We are Grout, Stone, and Ceramic Tile Installation and Restoration Contractors. We are located on Long Island, New York and currently serve the entire east coast with our contracting services. The Grout Dye Company (G.D.C.) offers various types of restoration services unlike those of "regular" tile contractors. Please visit our Restoration Page. There you will find an in depth list of the services we can provided for you. We are willing to travel almost any where in the world, email us your problem and location, and we will give you a price for the contracting work. Q-I have an entrance way into my home that is made up of terra cotta red, odd shaped stone or tiles. I'm not sure which. My question is since I'm not sure of the material, can i still use your product to dye the existing grout to a new color? Also, if it is stone, why can I not dye the grout? Grout colorants are not recommended for natural stone materials. They can be difficult to remove if applied. Some customers have great success applying masking tape to the outsides of the grout joints while applying colorant. Q-What
if I need a grout colorant color that you don't offer? Can I have a custom
color made?
Yes, you can order a custom color? Read below to see how its done: Q-Will your grout stain colorants look like grout that's been painted? No, our GDC grout stain formulae will leave your grout looking natural and will also leave behind the grouts original texture. They also dry to a matt finish. Q-It seems really hard to apply the colorant to my floor? Its not hard to do, its actually very easy to apply with a tooth brush, its just takes time. And the bigger the floor the more grout joints there are, the longer it takes and the more your knees hurt, (we suggest doing a little at a time and wear knee pads!) Only do what your able to handle and clean up one at a time, you can always continue tomorrow. Q-We recently re-tiled our bathroom. We
resealed the shower area. We are getting a white calcium/crystal like substance
on the grout and tiles. We thought it was soap scum and have tried almost all
bathroom cleaners to remove it and nothing works. Do you have any suggestions?
A-1.Efflorescence, -which are salts from the grout that deposit on the tiles
surface due to a lot of moisture under the tile installation. 2.Calcium
bicarbonate- Due to hard water. Remove with CLR Q- We recently had our Shower Tiled and Grouted however the contractor but down the wrong color. Can we use your colorant on are shower walls and floors? Yes, you can use our grout colorant on your shower walls and floors, however please note, it will possibly have to be touched up in a year or sooner depend on the traffic and water in your shower.
About the show--Top design students face their final test—a real-life makeover with a minimal budget, a handful of helpers and advice from a mentor. In each episode, a student from a top design school will get their chance to "go pro" and redo a room in a real family's house. The student gets real-world experience while the family gets a great new room! GDC Grout Colorants and the "Designers Finals" TV show on HGTV About GDC and the show-Look for our GDC Grout Colorant product, which has been used on an episode HGTV's show called " Designer Finals" which will be airing soon. The show is currently scheduled on Saturday evenings . Our Grout Colorant is scheduled to air this October or November 2004. You can look at HGTV's website to see their program schedule for your area. As soon as we know the exact date, we will let you know! Look for reruns in 2005 and 2006 in case you missed the premier
Hi Mike, Update 8/17/2004 : HGTV Show Airing
Hi Mike, I know it's been awhile, but the HGTV show where I used your product will be airing soon. The show is called Designer Finals and has already aired a few shows. They are currently scheduled on Saturday evenings, so that is the day when my show will probably air. It looks like October or November will be my month. You can look at HGTV's website on their program schedule page to check when my show might air. Thank you.
Hi, Here are the before and after photos of my project on the Home and Garden show. Thanks for all your support! Actually this is not a contest, it's just a new series that HGTV has started. It's an interesting concept since I have never seen a home makeover show that invites student designers to redo a room in someone's home. They came to my school, Academy of Art University in San Francisco and we interviewed to do the show. I was selected as well as about 20 other students and we are the first season of this new show! I graduate this December, so essentially my true test as a designer will be coming soon. I was very pleased with the results of your product and will recommend it to anyone who is looking to give their tile a different look. Thanks again!
Before After Designer Finals--Episode HDSF-208--Red Renovated Kitchen The Riley kitchen is a blast from the past and needs a facelift. Who better to update the space than student designer Lindsey Robinson? The outdated countertops, cabinets and lighting need a little TLC. With a bright new color, mesh inserts, a new sink and grout stain, Robinson's going to take this kitchen from blah to beautiful in two days with $2,000. HGTV-Designer Finals Program Guide from HGTV.com Web-site
Look for the re-runs on HGTV
< --> Below are the easy to understand steps. To prepare your existing grout for colorant. Please note that you might not need to do all of the below steps to prepare your grout for colorant. Please print this out for easy reference.
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