Bricks, Masonry, Asphalt and Concrete - Didn't remove enough grout

I recently installed a ceramic tile floor with 1/4" joints. When I grouted the floor, I didn't do a very good job removing all the grout from the surface of the tiles (the grout lines look great though!). As a result, I have patches of dried grout on some of the tiles, especially in some of the irregularities on the surface of the tiles. Additionally, I still have a heavy, gritty film on top of the tiles.

Assuming that the polymer sanded grout is softer than the glaze on the tile, can I use a hand buffer/polisher to remove the unwanted grout? Can I add a little water to the dried grout film and make a "rubbing compound' of the slurry? Or am I just going to have to let the surface grout rub off with foot traffic?

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks in advance.

Glenn, try using a muratic acid solution, 1 part acid to 7 parts water. Wear rubber gloves and eye protection. Sponge on the acid solution, watch it bubble on the film and built up grout. You can use the sponge or even a wire brush to remove built up areas. Rinse with lots of clean water. Take care that you don't leave the solution on too long, it can discolor the grout joints.
That should do it.............Nuc

Thanks for the advice Nuc. I've used muriatic acid to do a wash on my plaster pool, but it never occured to me to use it on the floor. The only thing that concerns me is the effect the acid may have on the glaze. Is this fear unfounded? Will the glaze resist acid better than grout?

The other night I wet down a tile, GENTLY scrapped the bulk of the surface grout off with a putty knife, then used a 3M green scrubbie to remove the rest of it. It was rather tedious and still left a little grout in the low portions of the tile, but it did remove quite a bit of the extra grout. Perhaps I can follow up that procedure with your acid wash technique.

I'm glad this little mistake happened on a third of the floor, not all 246 sq. ft. of it!!

Thanks Nuc.
Glenn

nope, it won't hurt the glaze on the tile. I've used it many times, always with good results. Glad you don't have too large an area to do. Also glad to help.

Have fun!