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When new grout color doesn't match old grout color

16 years ago

We had to replace two tiles on some tile work done this past June. We used the same color grout but it is darker. I told my husband as soon as he grouted it that the color was too dark. Of course he insisted it would lighten. Well, it's been 10 days and it is still darker.

What are my options? Do we just need to scrape it out and redo it? If so, how do you scrape it out? Thanks for any help with this.

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Comments (4)

bill_vincent
16 years ago
Do we just need to scrape it out and redo it? If so, how do you scrape it out?

Trust me on this. If you're going to change the grout, you're going to scrape it out, and it doesn't matter if you do it today or two months from now, it's not going to be any tougher. let it go for a couple of months. Good chance it'll start to blend in, If it doesn't THEN you can think about other options. But here's a clue-- I don't care if it was grout from the very same bag. Old and new will NEVER exactly match-- atleast not right off. Even later, if you look for it, you may see it, but you'll be the only one who does.
jt562
16 years ago
LOL, this thread caught my attn because I JUST grouted some tiles on my kitchen floor & thought the grout was looking darker then the rest. ~*sigh*~ Well, it had to be done since we removed a wall & had to replace the tile that had been cut against it with whole tiles. We had extra tiles & grout from the original job (8yrs ago!) so of course I used them. ANYWAY...I figured since it was stored in a cool, dark, dry place that it would have minimum fading. It honestly never occured to me that it could be darker! Very interesting. I actually like it better. Hmmmmmmmm

Happyladi- they sell a handy little tool for removing grout. It takes some elbow greese, but once you get the hang of it, it was not too bad.

I like your advice Bill. I think I will just wait a few months & re-evaluate then. Saying a little prayer over here that it will all blend ok! ;-)

JoAnn
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Happyladi
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the advice. I don't think it will fade, it is noticably darker. Luckly it is in the masterbath so only my husband and I see it. Still, it is right in the corner in front of the toilet so I see it everyday staring me in the face.

I actually don't mind the darker color. Is it easier to darken the rest of the grout to match it?
bill_vincent
16 years ago
The only thing you can do to immediately even out the color, and/ or change its shade, would be to use a grout colorant. You can change any color to any other color, and in so doing, make the grout easier to keep clean and, at the same time permanently seal it.

The link below is to the best colorants I know of.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aquamix Grout Colorants on line

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