Lithofin type things

"Lithofin Grout Protector" ;-)

A wipe with Domestos?

Mould is caused by a fungus which needs to be killed.

Quickly wipe the shower dry after you've used it.

True, but the protector stops the grout discolouring and also makes it a little less absorbent. Makes it harder for the fungus to get established.

Tile grout won't grow mold. You need to wash off whatever has stuck to it, which is what the mold is growing on, e.g. soap scum. (If you use liquid soap rather than bars of soap, you won't get soap scum in the first place.)

Yes, I was looking for alternatives really, if possible something solvent free and lower cost. Does anyone know much about HG Super Grout Protector?

I'm also vaguely tempted by the idea of using floor varnish, if anyone knows if its workable.

NT

Topps Tiles do this product:-

Thanks for that one. I still dont like the price though for a job that wouldnt normally get any such additional work. Is there any type of floor varnish that can withstand near constant wetness (its for a well used shower)?

NT

There probably are, but unlike the purpose made products they will alter the appearance of the grout - either in colour or lustre.

yes, I dont mind that. If I knew which varnish type would do it I'd use it. But I dont.

NT

I would guess am exterior or "yacht" polyurethane satin finish would be your best bet since that is designed for situations in continuous immersion. Thin it a bit to allow absorption and penetration into the grout. Can't see the cost being that much different to the bespoke products though, since the varnish is not cheap either.

What area of tiling do you need to do?

Its a communal shower, so approaches like wiping it down after use will never fly.

Good point about yacht varnish. Lithofin is in the region of =A315 per

NT

The 500ml will probably do something like 40 - 50m^2 of tiles mind you. I have still only used about a 1/3rd of the bottle I bought.

te:

Interesting, that's far more than the destructions say. Cheers

NT

I did two coats on 15m^2 of tiles - they were mid sized - about 6x4" IIRC...

rote:

It seems Lithofin and HG are both volatile solvent based, ruling them out. Will look into yacht varnish and experiment. Cheers,

NT

Errm yacht varnish is solvent based. Indeed all paint/varnish is based on a solvent even if that solvent should happen to be water. But the solvent used in yacht varnish is a volatile organic solvent which I suspect is what you're trying to avoid (I have no idea why, other than middle-class trendiness/desire to piss about and troll).

Yacht varnishing ceramic tiles could be about the most stupid trick pulled by anyone.

The rubbish sold in DIY sheds as "yacht varnish" isn't suitable for continuous immersion. It's not even proper yacht varnish. If you want something that can be immersed continuously then you need a two-pack polyurethane varnish you'll also have to thoroughly degrease the surface that you are varnishing, probably with acetone a volatile organic solvent, and even then I don't hold out much hope of it working.

The app won't see continuous immersion, as explained further up the thread.

As for the rest...

NT

I'll re-do it in terms you can understand if you let me know your current reading level. Is it equivalent to a four year old or a five year old? And of course which species?