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travertine tile backsplash mural

Article Number: 13 | Rating: 4.5/5 from 2 votes | Last Updated: Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 12:00 AM

Hi Maurizio, In our new construction home, we had a tumbled travertine tile backsplash with a 16 x 20 mural picturing wine, cheese and grapes installed. We saw it before grouting and it was absolutely stunning. However, after grouting the tile appears dull, dirty and lifeless. It looked like the installer did a bad job of cleaning the grout from the tiles. The builder acid washed it to try to clean it up and restore the brightness and that didn't seem to do anything. Is there anything that will restore the beauty to these tiles? Or, do we need to have it replaced? Thanks

Dear Rebecca:

“The builder acid washed it to try to clean it up”

That was the worst “solution” to the problem one could think of of! Only a person who does not know the first thing about stone and, on top of that, does not ask for any advice before doing things, could come up with such a “brilliant” idea!

Considering the fact that you have a mural painted over, there's no solution. The restoration of the stone surface would require a process that would take the painting off.

Of course, before the acid wash it would have been possible to fix the grout film problem pretty easily. It's too late now.

Well, at least now you know whom to charge for the replacement of the tiles… :-)

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

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