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Restore coffee table tiles

Question

We recently bought a 70s coffee table. The top of the table is made up of the table frame and ceramic tiles. Unfortunately over time the grouting between the tiles has become rather dirty (was white, now grey - cleaning has little effect) and the grouting/cement under the tiles has deteriorated. So firstly the space under the tiles needs to be re-filled and secondly the table top grouting between tiles needs to be redone, possibly including changing a few of the tiles for new ones. Wondering if anyone would know someone that could restore such a table and what sort of cost I might be looking at? Thanks in advance.

CC_R

Grouting is simple and you can buy products such as pens to dye old grout white again. Check on the internet for them. Also HG make some good bleach style products that make work. I imagine it’s not a hard job that you could do swapping tiles is more of a challenge as matching old tiles and removing them without damaging the others will be a problem.

Nov 14, 2017 08:05
CC_R

May not make

Nov 14, 2017 08:05
kasseistamper

Replacing some of the tiles is unlikely to be practical. Even if you can get the old ones out and match them, the new ones will stand out as obviously new.
Either replace them all or live with them as they are.

Nov 14, 2017 12:12
anon

As others have mentioned, your biggest problem will be removing old tiles to re do underneath. You're likely to have a very high failure rate, i.e. tiles will shatter as you try and remove them.

Nov 14, 2017 13:52
JT2015

Thanks for the answers. Would love to restore ourselves but in the middle of an international move, 2 apartments and new job and thus time to do it is a major issue. Replacing tiles was indeed only interesting if we found someone to do it for us - some tiles are patterned and some are plain - we'd replace the plain ones as the patterned ones are firstly fairly unique and secondly in better condition - so the difference wouldn't be massively obvious.

Nov 14, 2017 16:22
R.Harris

These people might be willing to the job (if not they may be able to recommend someone):

http://carreauxauthentiques.be/

Nov 15, 2017 12:40
CC_R

Even if time is short a grout pen is quick and simple you just draw over the lines

Nov 16, 2017 08:47
JT2015

Thanks CC_R. Unfortunately the wife thought she could do it herself and started chipping away the top surface of the grout, before moving and no longer having time to do it... :)

Jan 26, 2018 12:44