Charcoal Grout

[ttt tiling]

Hi all , grouting a 25m porcelain floor tomorrow , client wants charcoal grout , fair enough .
Problem is , last time I used charcoal , it went patchy (again).
Now I know what you're going to say , but would still appreciate any advice.
Was going to use bal superflex , has anybody managed to use bal charcoal without any problems , if so , how
Thanks in anticipation

 

[Spud]

Try grout 3000 mix it as stiff as possible and ring your sponges out as much as possible , let it dry fully before giving it a final clean down it helps with the patchiness

 

[ttt tiling]

Thanks Gary , unfortunately stuck with bal , would Love to try grout 3000 but no distributors near me.
Was going to do it by the book and weigh out water and powder , single swipe of the sponge etc and keep fingers crossed

 

[Sean Kelly]

Thanks Gary , unfortunately stuck with bal , would Love to try grout 3000 but no distributors near me.
Was going to do it by the book and weigh out water and powder , single swipe of the sponge etc and keep fingers crossed

I tried the scientific approach with Mapei grout a couple of years ago. I brought in my kitchen scales and measured out exactly the right amount of grout. I put in the right amount of water and mixed it for the right amount of time. Still went streaky!

Now I ALWAYS mix it up stiff like Gary (sorry Gary that came out wrong!!).

 

[John Benton]

I always make the darker colours a little stiffer and don't have any problems. Just recently used Butech (I believe Mapei manufacture) and that was really good to work with, Anthracite and Tobacco solid colour throughout.

 

[ttt tiling]

I tried the scientific approach with Mapei grout a couple of years ago. I brought in my kitchen scales and measured out exactly the right amount of grout. I put in the right amount of water and mixed it for the right amount of time. Still went streaky!

Now I ALWAYS mix it up stiff like Gary (sorry Gary that came out wrong!!).

Thanks Sean , funny how the manufacturer always gives a ratio where the grout is too wet , we all know water is the killer , so why don't they !
I hate these polymer grouts

 

[bigdave1903]

I tried the scientific approach with Mapei grout a couple of years ago. I brought in my kitchen scales and measured out exactly the right amount of grout. I put in the right amount of water and mixed it for the right amount of time. Still went streaky!

Now I ALWAYS mix it up stiff like Gary (sorry Gary that came out wrong!!).

And you're still isn't talking to you for wrecking her scales.

 

[Flintstone]

I used grout 3000 charcoal last week to grout my hearth at home and i left it about 45 mins before wiping off. As said, mix it a little stiffer than normal and use minimal water, dried perfect, never had any problems with the grout 3000 streaking.

 

[Flintstone]

If it's a wide joint or it's taking forever to dry due to the porcelain, try putting some dry ontop and spread it all over the joints, will make it set nice.