Tiling thinset question

4WDBetterthan2feet · 12-18-07, 12:43 PM

Hello,

Anyone have any tips on getting dried thin set off of tile. I was a little messy when I laid the tile and now it is turning out to be a real chore cleaning them up before grouting. I have been using green 3m scrubby pads, which do not work very vell. The wire brush I have is scratching the glaze up to much. TIA

Cookiemonster · 12-18-07, 03:10 PM

Once the thin-set is set up on the tile, your pretty much up the creek. A standard screw driver and a stiff puddy knife. Nothing you have short of muriatic acid (and that will only dent it, not really remove it completely) will remove it short of scrapping. Just be super careful not to scratch the tile when doing so.

For future reference take either a standard screw driver or a spacer (white four leg type) & scrape the thin-set out of the joint(s) as you lay the tile. A little time doing so will alleviate this problem in future applications.

Good luck.

fj40charles · 12-20-07, 02:14 PM

Cleaning up thinset the next day is generally not a problem with some scrub pad and warm water. The longer you wait, the harder it gets.

rsrai · 12-21-07, 12:51 AM

you could be careful with a rotary tool. the dremel i know has a grout removal attachment if the gaps between tiles are full of thinset.

Taco Blonco · 12-23-07, 06:00 PM

i use warm water with a large sponge comes off pretty easy within the first day.

Carpe Discus · 12-25-07, 11:52 PM

I've heard vinegar helps. Whatever you, don't wait. That stuff continues to get harder if you leave it.

hans747 · 01-01-08, 12:20 AM

follow the advice here for scrubbing it off. However, try to CAREFULLY scrape whatever you can first. less scrubbing that way

badmuthatrucka · 01-22-08, 09:36 PM

Don't get it on there in the first place.

Everybody else has given you good advice, pretty much what I've heard from pro-tile guys. Don't wait more than 1 day before removing excess. Good luck

4WDBetterthan2feet · 02-15-08, 11:46 AM

I ended up using a steamer, the type you see on info mercials that are about the size of the coffee pot. All I can say is it was a lot easier cleaning up the thinset this way using a little brush attachment. Cut through it like butter.

12-18-07, 12:43 PM	#1
4WDBetterthan2feet IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 262	Tiling thinset question Hello, Anyone have any tips on getting dried thin set off of tile. I was a little messy when I laid the tile and now it is turning out to be a real chore cleaning them up before grouting. I have been using green 3m scrubby pads, which do not work very vell. The wire brush I have is scratching the glaze up to much. TIA __________________ "I would not shit you, you are my favourite turd"

12-18-07, 03:10 PM	#2
Cookiemonster IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Bay Area Posts: 455	Once the thin-set is set up on the tile, your pretty much up the creek. A standard screw driver and a stiff puddy knife. Nothing you have short of muriatic acid (and that will only dent it, not really remove it completely) will remove it short of scrapping. Just be super careful not to scratch the tile when doing so. For future reference take either a standard screw driver or a spacer (white four leg type) & scrape the thin-set out of the joint(s) as you lay the tile. A little time doing so will alleviate this problem in future applications. Good luck. __________________ When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. -Thomas Jefferson

12-20-07, 02:14 PM	#3
fj40charles IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 1,124	Cleaning up thinset the next day is generally not a problem with some scrub pad and warm water. The longer you wait, the harder it gets. __________________ 69 FJ40 with some minor mods... 2000 Cummins powered Dodge with some power enhancements. DO NOT SUPPORT TRAIL GEAR!!!!! bad ethics = bad business! http://www.paypalsucks.com

12-21-07, 12:51 AM	#4
rsrai IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Dec 2005 TLCA# 15865 Posts: 179	you could be careful with a rotary tool. the dremel i know has a grout removal attachment if the gaps between tiles are full of thinset. __________________ Ravi 70 fj55 under construction: 4WDiscs- done rust- working on it

01-22-08, 09:36 PM	#8
badmuthatrucka IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: The armpit known as A-town TLCA# 18360 Posts: 341	Don't get it on there in the first place. Everybody else has given you good advice, pretty much what I've heard from pro-tile guys. Don't wait more than 1 day before removing excess. Good luck __________________ 93 FZJ80, locked, slider-ed, with 35" TRXus MTs. "Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn."

12-23-07, 06:00 PM	#5
Taco Blonco IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ephraim, UT Posts: 20	i use warm water with a large sponge comes off pretty easy within the first day.

12-25-07, 11:52 PM	#6
Carpe Discus IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 172	I've heard vinegar helps. Whatever you, don't wait. That stuff continues to get harder if you leave it.

01-01-08, 12:20 AM	#7
hans747 IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 22	follow the advice here for scrubbing it off. However, try to CAREFULLY scrape whatever you can first. less scrubbing that way

02-15-08, 11:46 AM	#9
4WDBetterthan2feet IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 262	I ended up using a steamer, the type you see on info mercials that are about the size of the coffee pot. All I can say is it was a lot easier cleaning up the thinset this way using a little brush attachment. Cut through it like butter. __________________ "I would not shit you, you are my favourite turd"

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