How to remove primer from floor tiles

To prevent damage to the surface layer of the tile when exposed to various chemicals, it is recommended to test any of the potent agents on a sample - not all tile coatings have sufficient chemical resistance.

How can I clean the primer from tiles on the floor?

When washing stains, keep in mind that negligence may cause the grout to change color, which will require re-application.

Traditional methods

For priming surfaces before applying the topcoat during finishing work, water-soluble compounds are most widely used.

The best thing you can do if such material gets on the tile is to immediately wash off the stain with water, in two or three steps, changing the napkin and wetting it generously. After removing the stain, wipe the surface with a dry cloth.

In the event that the stain was not detected in a timely manner and has already begun to dry out, it is necessary to remove it using a T-shaped scraper or spatula.

Reference! In the case when particles of deep penetration primer have already “eaten” into the surface of the tile, it is permissible to apply a primer of the same brand over the stain and rinse with water after a few minutes.

Using baking soda and vinegar to remove stains is not the best way to deal with primer.Soda is effective if the surface to be cleaned is immersed in its solution for a long period of time, which is difficult to achieve on a horizontal surface, and vinegar can cause a burn to the respiratory tract.

Household cleaning products can be used in combination, treating the surface alternately with different compositions. This method is good if the primer composition includes various components that react differently to a particular chemically active substance.

The basis of cleaning products can be:

1. Acid - for example, oxalic.
2. Lye – baking soda or soda ash.
3. Bleach is colloquially known as “bleach.”

Cleaning efficiency increases significantly when using a household steam cleaner. A jet of rarefied steam removes dirt from almost any type of surface without chemical exposure.

Professional products

These products include ATLAS Szop, used by finishers to remove grout, cement, lime and putty remaining on the face of the tile. The advantage of ATLAS Szop is that after its use there are no streaks left. The domestic “Concrete Solvent” has a similar composition - the chemically active substance of both products is an inorganic acid.

Reference! Professional products for mechanical cleaning, such as Dopomat, Hodrupa A, Kiehl and the like, can cope with stubborn dirt, but are usually sold in containers of 5–10 liters.

How to clean depending on the composition of the primer

If the label of the container with the primer indicates a solvent that can be used to dilute or wash it, then the choice of a suitable product for cleaning floor tiles is simplified.

Commercially available solvents fall into four groups:

1. Petroleum - white spirit, solvent.Suitable for alkyd, oil and glypthal primers.
2. Xylene – 646–650, R-4. Dissolve perchlorovinyl compounds.
3. Alcohol. For polymer and latex primers.
4. Based on dichloromethane. Dissolve polymer compounds.

For acrylic primers, the best option would be to use original solvents of the same name (that is, the same brand).

In cases where stains cannot be removed with a solvent, you can use compositions for removing old paint - SP-1, Autowash, Antikras-Universal. It is most convenient to use paste or gel removers.