I have ten 4x4 ceramic tile that I cannot find new. What is an easy way to clean the backs off so I can re-use them?
2006-12-23 03:57:37 · 3 answers · asked by bugear001 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There are two different ways i know if to set ceramic tile, one is essentially to use a grout, the second is to use a glue. I suspect the hardened glue would present more of a problem than the grout.
Someone has already mentioned a chisel, which is worth a try but you have to be gentle and have the front of the tile clamped on a surface such as a newspaper to protect the face of the tile from abrasion.
The second might be the use of a high speed rotary tool. Since I owned one of those I have found innumerable uses for it. Usually you can get a bag of bits that includes a small sanding drum with sanding sleeves that go on the drum. This is also worth a try and would not risk breaking the tile. Avoid sanding to the point where the tile gets real hot though to avoid breaking it with thermal stresses.
If it is a glue on the back you could still try the chisel or the rotary tool, but if that didn't work you could try a few high end solvents like acetone or xylene to see if that would soften the hardened glue. Perhaps even soaking them in oil for a week or so would soften the glue.
good luck
2006-12-23 05:51:38 · answer #1 · answered by Coach 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
With Acid easily available in the market. And I am it is HCL. Thats the only way to bring the original shine of ceramic tile.
2006-12-23 12:00:36 · answer #2 · answered by Sonu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to use a chisel and gently tap off the old grout with the sharp end.
2006-12-23 11:59:45 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff V 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋