How to remove bees wax from tile grout?

Walter E.

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Aug 27, 2010, 10:12:49 PM8/27/10

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This has bothered me for years. The previous owner somehow melted the wax
ring under this toilet. The wax flowed in the grout between the tiles near
the rear of the toilet and discolored/darkened the grout.

How can I get the wax out of the grout? I tried cleaning compounds without
results. I am afraid, if I use paint thinner or Acetone, the wax will spread
further, making things worse.

Since the affected grout is darkened, any future buyer will suspect that
there is a leak under the toilet. (Just like wax, water also makes grout
look dark.)

http://img651.imageshack.us/img651/9421/1000616y.jpg

--
-
Walter
www.rationality.net

Daniel Leonard

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Aug 27, 2010, 10:23:21 PM8/27/10

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I would wager that he didn't melt it but somehow smeared it on the
grout after making a mess and getting it all over the tile. It cleaned
up from the tile very easily but got smeared/stuck in the grout.

Have you heard of Google?

Please read all of these carefully and they discuss different methods
for different types of wax.

http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-get-wax-out-ceramic-tile-grout.html
http://forum.doityourself.com/cleaning-stain-removal/284498-help-remove-candle-wax-ceramic-tile.html
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-remove-wax-from-grout
http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-remove-candle-wax-stains3.htm

Walter E.

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Aug 27, 2010, 10:50:54 PM8/27/10

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Thank you.

The Oops/Goof-of/Propanol method appeals to me. I have a bottle of
Goof-off. Will try it tomorrow. This is a little tricky because it is a
rather soft wax and well aged.

-
Walter
www.rationality.net

"Daniel Leonard" <ptr.wo...@gmail.com> wrote in message
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aemeijers

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Aug 27, 2010, 10:52:48 PM8/27/10

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Floor wax stripper, from the local janitorial supply. Like the janitor
in grade school used before he rewaxed the hall floors every August.
Getting less than a gallon will be hard- know any janitors that will
decant some into a mason jar for you? Let is soak in, then blot. Use
bleach to lighten, then some of that liquid grout sealer stuff. Don't
lose sleep over what a future buyer thinks- there is usually a bit of
grunge around a toilet base, especially in a house with kids. Nobody has
time to scrub that crack real often.

Me, I'd probably just scrape like a dentist, ever-so-gently, trying not
to go too deep, and then bleach and reseal. You can always just grind
down the joints in that area and spot-grout to bring it back to level.
If you aren't selling in the next year or so, the color should even out
by then.

--
aem sends...

Sjouke Burry

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Aug 27, 2010, 11:18:17 PM8/27/10

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So, darken all of it, that should solve it...... :)

Rocinante

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Aug 28, 2010, 10:13:56 PM8/28/10

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Try WD-40. I just used it today to remove some old tree sap from my car. It
works without scratching the surface.

--
IME, the most philosophical drivers are London cabbies. Every journey
provides new insights into language and meaning. "'Ere, I 'ad that
Wittgenstein in the back of the cab once. I said to 'im, I sez,
picturing relations my arse, you wouldn't try that with my relations
mate..."
-- Malcom Ray

Rocinante...@gmail.com
8/28/2010 10:12:57 PM

Steve Barker

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Aug 29, 2010, 8:58:06 AM8/29/10

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On 8/28/2010 9:13 PM, Rocinante wrote:
>
> Try WD-40. I just used it today to remove some old tree sap from my car. It
> works without scratching the surface.
>

that's because wd-40 is basically kerosene and it cuts sap real well.

--
Steve Barker
remove the "not" from my address to email

The Daring Dufas

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Aug 29, 2010, 9:24:02 AM8/29/10

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Hire some worker bees. 8-)

TDD