Adding Bal GT1 to Mapei Ultracolour Plus Anthracite ?

[Tony Cooper]

Hi Lads,

Anyone had any problems adding Bal GT1 Admix to Mapei grout ?

Got a job next week labour only, customer bought all the gear from Tile Giant, 5m2 of mosaics for a kitchen splashback then 15m2 of 600 x 300 Jakarta polished porcelain on the floor. Mapei ultracolour plus anthracite grout for both.

Hate using Anthracite (it's a nightmare!) so wanted to try and make it a bit more pliable/flexible to use by adding the GT1 as I normally use Bal grout and never had any problems adding it. Just wanted to check that there'll be no issues with mixing a product by one manufacturer with another one, if you get my drift.

Also, fitted Jakarta 600 x 600 polished porcelain in the past and been told by Tile Giant they don't need sealing. But this customer has been told they do need sealing and sold them LTP sealer. What do you reckon ?

Cheers,

Tony

 

[bugs183]

Don't do it!!!!!!!
Never mix manufacturers adhesives etc, plus adding GT! is going to make any dark grout a piggin nightmare.
Mapei grout is not as bad as people make out, add the specified amount of water to the bag, mechanically mix, it will seem really stiff.
Leave for a few minutes then mix again, the polymers willl slacken in the grout and it will be easier to use.

 

[afright]

Why not change it for Bal grout?

 

[On one]

You can't add anything extra to UCP anyway it is all ready maxed out with additives.

 

[kilty55]

gt1 is to be added to non flexible grout so dont add it to flexible mapei grout

you hate using anthracite ? i assume because of the colour? so what is gt1 going to change

 

[Bubblecraft]

Never mix suppliers. Use Bal GT1 with Bal grouts only.

 

[Tony Cooper]

Thanks Lads, thought that would be the case about not mixing different suppliers gear.