Grout technique help...

Tim Watts · 2010-07-13T23:19:47+00:00

Hi,Further to previous wibblings, have started grouting.Got on better and faster today than previously. I'm using Mapei Keracolor + Fugolastic additive in place of water (for extra water resistance, adhesion and flexibility).All goes very well in general - Mix 1kg of powder - that does about 1.2m2 in about 15 minutes which is a nice time to do the main sponge wash off before the stuff gets too immovable in bulk (it sets fast this stuff).I left it for 2 hours to fix supper, then ran a damp sponge over again to take off most of the film.Just now, I went back to give it a dry polish with kitchen paper towells (works for me).Had to rub quite hard to just take the last little bit off the inside of the beveled edge of the tile face and get a clean flat slightly recessed grout line.No harm, the result is pleasing - but that was a *lot* of rubbing and 1/3 roll of kitchen paper. That could get boring very fast on the large section of wall that's coming along next...The first sponging takes off the bulk of the excess, but as the grout is still slightly mobile, it tends to drive it up the sides of the bevels creating the "problem" - so extra sponging early at this stage isn't going to work. Should I perhaps give it a more vigorous wet rub with the sponge at the 2 hour stage?Or are my experiences normal?I could carry on like this - it works, but I always like to improve my methods and I don't believe a pro would do all this...TIACheersBTW - I decided to grout the top of the tiles to the ceiling. Seems to have worked - the ceiling cleaned up very nicely too. I don't think I could have managed any gunned on sealant up there without making a horrible mess. Though I did use the masking tip trick someone suggested to protect the wood frame around the door-floor junction and that worked very well :)

T

Tim Watts 16 years ago

Andy Dingley wibbled on Wednesday 14 July 2010 15:59

Hmm - never heard of those - I shall go and have a look.

BTW - success! The magic seems to be dry-wipe after *about* 2 hours with kitchen towel. Bugger all effort and the grout polishes up nicely :)

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Dave Liquorice 16 years ago

Haven't quite got that far yet but have got a bottle of "HG Cement Grout Film Remover"

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which is mostly Phosphoric Acid along with a few other acids to try.

HG also have a something that is supposed to be OK on marble/natural stone.

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I shall probably have to invest in that as well as there are a couple of rows of tiny tavertine/stone/mirrors as trim/pattern. This stuff is Fatalcoholethoxylate (what ever that is, it's also in the above).

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The Natural Philosopher 16 years ago

you can get away with Hcl on unpolished marble. Yes it etches the surface, no that doesn't change the tile appearance if its been tumbled, not polished.

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stuart noble 16 years ago

I'm convinced that a ball is best because it's the same profile whatever the angle. That said, the small half round isn't ideal for horizontal surfaces where water may collect.

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sm_jamieson 16 years ago

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I'd be inclined to get a larger ball that produces virtually no radius but would still sit over the gap and follow it. Simon.

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Cicero 16 years ago

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It's the ball end of the tool that does the grout lines. The other end would give a very deep (1/4" approx) and narrow line and I doubt if it's intended to be used at all except as a handle.

Cic.

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Jim K 16 years ago

just angle the float?

report back :>)

Cheers Jim K

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Tim Watts 16 years ago

Tim Watts wibbled on Wednesday 14 July 2010 13:56

Yep - this is a good way. Got all round the bath done and polished. Quite quick now.

Here you go:

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Tim

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sm_jamieson 16 years ago

Keracolor +

resistance, adhesion

about 1.2m2 in

off before

inside of the

large section

Seems to have

could have

protect the wood

I will, if I can type after my wrists are shot ! Simon.

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stuart noble 16 years ago

The ball is designed to tap the glass on the score line from underneath, but it happens to be the perfect size for wall tile grout lines.

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Cicero 16 years ago

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I think you missed the picture of the tool I referenced:

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stuart noble 16 years ago

I did :-)

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Grout technique help...

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