tile grouting - technique ?

On 100mm tiles I found the rounded end of a glass cutter to be the perfect tool

The only problem with using a rounded tool is that you end up with a radius on the grout. I suppose you could form a tool to give the grout profile you need. In my next practice run (another test panel for the missus !) I will try a pointing technique after filling the joints, using a rounded tool, whereby if a bit more grout is needed, load up the tool and point it in ...

Simon.

I float it level (emphasis on ramming it in the joint) then sponge it back about a mm.

Did you use a tiler's sponge? They are large, fine pored and fairly even which helps to avoid randomness.

I worked the float then the sponge on each m2 approx. This was only a rough sponge to take off trhe excess and cut back. Final cleanup and polish I did after a few m2 so I was sponging against mostly firm grout - if you time it right, you can still shave a fraction off but at the same time you can clean the surface liberally without washing the lines out totally.

It's going to vary a lot depending on make of grout, temperature, substrate suction and possibly other factors.

I used this, only the yellow side:

the grout. I suppose you could form a tool to give the grout profile you need.

pointing technique after filling the joints, using a rounded tool, whereby if a bit more grout is needed, load up the tool and point it in ...

on the grout. I suppose you could form a tool to give the grout profile you need.

pointing technique after filling the joints, using a rounded tool, whereby if a bit more grout is needed, load up the tool and point it in ...

Is this as flexible as the fugi tools, or is it more of a rigid plastic ? Simon.

on the grout. I suppose you could form a tool to give the grout profile you need.

pointing technique after filling the joints, using a rounded tool, whereby if a bit more grout is needed, load up the tool and point it in ...

AFAIK - I don't have one, it's the same as a fugi. They do another one, which I do have

No need to wet the float - save any wetting for the sponging...

It means that particular wiki article is very new and needs lots of work!

(I expect it was supposed to say "use the *rubber* edge [of the grout float] at an angle")

Well my approach is as follows:

I mix a fairly sloppy grout - not quite wet enough to run down the float

- perhaps softly whipped cream. Using a rubber faced grouting float held at a shallow angle, I will use it to wipe grout into all the gaps, working from several angles to make sure each line is filled. I will often apply side to side, then work in up and down for example.

Grout float angles are worth discussing - there are two that matter: the angle to the perpendicular surface, and the rotation relative to the grout lines. You need some lift on the leading side of the float to be able to slide over the wall and force the grout into the gaps. Too shallow and the float will stick to the surface, too steep (more than about 40 degree IME) and you will tend to leave a rough finish to the grout especially as it begins to harden. The rotation angle is less critical, however you want to avoid it matching the the grout lines such that the end of the float drops into a line when crossing it. (some piccies for the wiki will probably help here).

Once all the lines are filled, I use the float to squeegy most of the excess grout off the faces of the tiles. I then leave that section for a few mins to begin hardening. I then use a grout sponge that I have rinsed out and squeezed fairly dry to "rub up" the grout. Using it flat against the wall, in a circular motion, working back and forth as I progress down. The amount of pressure applied here will set the grout depth. Stop to rinse the sponge frequently so that you are clearing the excess grout and not just spreading it about the place.

After leaving longer to dry dome more I will touch in any faults, and possibly responge if not happy with the finish.

Then I leave it to dry. Give it a damp sponge over the once to clean any surface marks and let it dry again. After that a dry polish with a paper towel to remove the fine white film from the tile surface (washing at this stage just turns into a never ending game of creating a new film to wash off next time!)