Grout removal from around a tub enclosure

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Topic: Grout removal from around a tub enclosure

rickandlynn

Sun, 11/19/2006 - 11:56am

Grout removal from around a tub enclosure

I have taken down a tub enclosure (the sliding doors, not the tub itself). How can I get all the old grout up without scratching the tub? I have used wall paper glue stripper, Oops, and Greased Lightning. I have most of it loose, but there are huge globs in the corners and a few other spots I cannot get up.

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Grout removal? Or Caulk?

jeffe_verde writes:

Sun, 11/19/2006 - 7:41pm

It sounds like your dealing with caulk (white and gooey), not grout (a fine mortar applied over ceramic tiles). Silicone caulk comes up fairly easily, but older caulk is gummy and pain in the butt to remove. Unfortunately, the only thing I've found to work is something like oily like Goo-be-Gone (cooking oil works too), a putty knife with a cloth wrapped around it, and liberal applications of elbow grease.

Nope, it's like grout.

rickandlynn writes:

Mon, 11/20/2006 - 6:42pm

I was able to get all the white, gooey stuff off and most of this white chalkey type stuff. But in each of the bottom outside corners, there a two spots of this stuff about 3/4" deep. It looks like it may have been just about liquid when it was installed. I was able to take a butter knife and chisel off the thinner spots, but the thicker spots will not budge. I'll try the cooking oil, had not thought of that. Thanks for responding!

The oil trick works for

jeffe_verde writes:

Wed, 11/22/2006 - 9:10pm

The oil trick works for sticky stuff. But if this is hard/chalky, you'll probaby have to scrape and chisel it out. I'm guessing this is mastic, which starts out as a resinous glue, but sets to the consistency of petrified chewing gum. A handy tool for this kind of job is a painters 5-in-1 tool. It's about the size of a 2" putty knife, but the blade is thicker and beveled - sort of half way between a putty knife and a chisel. Apply masking tape to the surrounding area to minimize scratches and chisel/chip away.