5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect (and necessary) cleanup for urethane grout installations

a. · January 28, 2013

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } I bought this product after reading the instructions on the container of Starquartz QuartzLock2 grout I bought to do a bathroom floor. I chose Quartzlock2 urethane grout for stain resistance and flexibility, plus it is pre-mixed and cleans up with water. What I did not realize initially is that without a proper post-grouting cleaner, the urethane can leave a visible haze on the tile. The instructions on the grout container suggested Blaze (both products being manufactured by Bostik), and after watching a YouTube install that featured QuartzLock2, I decided it was more than just a suggested cleanup method, but a necessary final step in the installation. It absolutely works as it should and the results were terrific.Installation notes: Urethane grouts cure rather quickly, so make sure that you are wiping with a clean, (barely) damp sponge as you grout to remove as much of the urethane prior to using Blaze. Heavy urethane haze is difficult to remove after the fact, so your wiping technique during installation of the tile is very important. Really wring the sponge out in clean water, keep it flat on the tile, wipe with one side then turn it over and wipe with the other side. Rise the sponge well, really wring it out, and wipe again one side then the other. You might need to wipe one final time, but be careful, urethane grouts do not like to be over-washed. Work in small sections to make sure you are keeping up, maybe 8-12 sq ft at a time (depending on your reach). Doing this assures the urethane haze is minimal. After about 3-4 hours (maybe longer if it is cold or humid), check to make sure the grout is firm, then carefully spray the cleaner on the tile itself (NOT the gout lines) or directly onto a non-scratch white scrubbie pad and gently scrub the tiles. Clean up using the same method as before with clean water and sponge, and again, make sure the sponge is really well wrung out. If you follow the instructions, the resulting finish is nothing short of top professional.Purchasing notes: I looked locally (I prefer to buy local if possible) but no one had the Blaze cleaner in stock. I looked online and found there were other haze removal products sold at local big box home improvement retailers. THESE ARE NOT THE SAME PRODUCT!! Do not be fooled. Bostik Blaze is a special cleaner with active ingredients made specifically for urethane grouts. Many of the other cleaners are acidic and are made for epoxy grouts or other purposes. These other "haze removers" are quite harsh. Some were advertised as haze removers as well as etchants of concrete! I decided it wasn't worth messing up a perfect floor and an $80 can of grout over a $15 bottle of cleaner. Do your research, I think you'll find it's worth it as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars The real deal.

B.V.D. · May 30, 2013

I tried all kinds of Stainless Steel cleaners and they all clean the tiles very well, but this cleaner can REMOVE the urethane haze due to grouting. There are many products if you want a stainless steel cleaner only, but if you want to clean the urethane haze, this is it. Easy to apply and very easy to wipe off the haze from the tiles. Unfortunately I could not find this in the local tiling stores, thanks to Bolo - I could complete my kitchen back splash, without this stuff I would not have been able to get the haze off.

4.0 out of 5 stars A necessity for urethane grout installation.

A. · June 27, 2016

If you work with urethane grout, this is a must. No matter how hard you try, the odds are that you will end with a some (or maybe even a lot) of urethane haze on your tile. It is impossible to remove this haze with anything other than specially formulated solution which dissolves dried glue which is a part of the urethane grout. You need at least one bottle of cleaner for a 9 Lb can of grout. It is better to buy it ahead of time to be able to remove haze quickly after grouting and finish your tile job in a timely manner. I ordered my first bottle on Bolo for about the same price it sells now (in the ballpark of 30 dollars), but later discovered that it can be ordered through local hardwood and tile re-sellers for just about 15 dollars. So it is not as expensive as it may appear.It is a stinky liquid, good ventilation is a must, and a fair amount of rubbing is required to get the haze off. It is not an easy and quick cleaning job, proper wiping during grouting is less stinky and probably takes less time, but if haze remained, Blaze will help.

1.0 out of 5 stars the product is good, but the only problem I had was the ...

R.A. · September 30, 2014

Well, the product is good, but the only problem I had was the bottle was half empty and the box was dry. Meaning it was shipped that way. Because I didn't have enough to finish cleaning my back splash I used Once-and-Done floor cleaner which worked better than this cleaner. So I end up paying $30 for half a bottle of this cleaner and using floor cleaner to do the job. No I will not buy this product again, not only because it was sent to me half empty, because the Once-and-Done works better.

5.0 out of 5 stars Made cleanup a breeze.

A. · August 3, 2013

I used the urethane grout for the 1st time, and of course it left a noticeable haze. But I had been warned ahead of time, and had Blaze on hand. It worked perfectly for me, and now my counter has no discernible haze at all on the porcelain tiles. Highly recommended!

5.0 out of 5 stars Made my tile perfect!

W. · May 22, 2013

When we used the urethane grout for the first time I didn't realize that no matter how well I cleaned it up it would leave a haze. It was really bad on the glass tile. No shine. I was sad. Until I found this cleaner! Within an hour I had everthing shiney and beautiful. Don't use urethane grout (which is wonderfully stain/mildew/bacteria proof and resists cracking) without having a bottle of this stuff to clean up with after! It's a life saver! Also this company I bought it from shipped it quickly and packaged it perfectly!