How to Change Grout Color
Tile is one of those items in the home that many people have a love/hate relationship with. Nothing is more beautiful than a nice custom tile job. However, nothing looks uglier than old worn out grout. Here are some easy steps to making your grout a conversation piece instead of an eyesore. Remember to test all cleaners and colorants in an inconspicuous area prior to treating the entire area.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Acid based grout cleaner
- firm nylon grout brush
- small paint brush
- flat water based paint in color of choice
- small cup or bowl of water
- grout sealer
- green scrub pad
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1
Thoroughly clean the grout with the acid based grout cleaner (available at most home improvement stores). Acid based cleaners work by removing a very small amount of the surface of the grout, thus exposing new grout on the surface.
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2
Rinse thoroughly with water and allow to dry.
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3
If needed, repeat the cleaning and rinsing until the grout surface has been thoroughly opened up. Don't worry about stains or discolorations in the grout. We just want to make sure that there are no greases, oils or other contaminants that will prevent our grout stain from penetrating.
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4
Our stain will be the waterbased flat paint. It is important that the paint be flat and not an enamel. The idea is to get the paint to penetrate into the grout, which flat paint will. Enamels will simply sit on top.
Lightly dip the tip of your paintbrush into a small cup or bowl of water, then dip it into the paint. Apply the paint into the grout line. Don't worry about the paint getting onto the tile, it will scrub off fairly easily when dry.
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5
Continue until all the grout is covered. Repeat the colorant applicaton as many times as necessary to achieve the desired depth of color. Allow to dry 24 hours.
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6
The same kitchen as above, after grout staining.
Clean the tile surface with the green scrub pad and apply sealer to the grout lines.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Experiment with thinning the colorant if needed to allow it to penetrate the grout easier.
Remember to test all cleaner, colorants and sealers in an inconspicuous place to determine results prior to attempting the project on a large scale.
Related Searches
Resources
- Photo Credit www.specialtyhomeimprovement.com
Comments
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your before and after pictures are a little deceiving, seeing as how the counter top tile also changed color.
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thesearcher
Jan 28, 2009
Wow, after all that work i did with my dremel getting the old grout out ! Well now i can finish it in a little easier way ! thankyou. 5*
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Punkuns
Jan 26, 2009
Wonderful information for changing grout color! Great pictures!
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Kelly Choplosky
Jan 26, 2009
Very informative! I love how you put the before and after pictures. I will have to send this article to my mother; she's been complaining about the tile grout in the bathroom! Nice job! 5*
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sneedc
Jan 16, 2009
Great tips on coloring the grout---I think I'll just "go green" or even better, go "dirt" green would help when the mold took over and dirt is just what the kitchen is always covered in....so it's practical. See how I keep things easy around here? 5*
