dull mosaics after grouting

[Branty]

Am I missing something here. The tiles look the same before and after! the grout will naturally soften the look of the tile.
I'm with wetdec here. Ive used Ardex C2 on tumbled stone and it hasn't ethced the surface. I mean it's Tumbled marble, the tumbling process will cause more ethcing the any grout will.
What it could be, and this is a huge could seeing as you've said you washed down fairly soon. Is where a high polymer grout is left on the surface of the tile too long and the polymer kinda sticks to the tile, if you catch my drift. Leaving a hazy residue, that is hard to wash off.

Something like this might do the trick.

Have you got the same problems with the bath mosaics, or is it just the panel?
P.S I think I would ahve sealed these tiles first, especially using a modified grout.
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Oh and one more thing. It's ditchwater.

 

[TilingLogistics]

Am I missing something here. The tiles look the same before and after! the grout will naturally soften the look of the tile.
I'm with wetdec here. Ive used Ardex C2 on tumbled stone and it hasn't ethced the surface. I mean it's Tumbled marble, the tumbling process will cause more ethcing the any grout will.
What it could be, and this is a huge could seeing as you've said you washed down fairly soon. Is where a high polymer grout is left on the surface of the tile too long and the polymer kinda sticks to the tile, if you catch my drift. Leaving a hazy residue, that is hard to wash off.

Something like this might do the trick.

Have you got the same problems with the bath mosaics, or is it just the panel?
P.S I think I would ahve sealed these tiles first, especially using a modified grout.
----
Oh and one more thing. It's ditchwater.

Dave

Have you read my post two above this?

Kev

 

[Branty]

Dave

Have you read my post two above this?

Kev

No. After you said the grout could have scratched the surface, I stopped reading your posts. Sorry :8:

 

[TilingLogistics]

Dave,

You definately don't need to say sorry to me mate. Sometimes the grout can scratch the surface as well, it depends on the finish of the tile and if the grout has been correctly mixed. It is a very common occurence especially with modified grouts. Polymer grouts need to be aerated to ensure an even distribution off the polymers and in case there has been any settlement or lumping. It should also be rested/slaked and then mixed again.

There is a very good post on the mixing of grouts on this forum somewhere.

PS I am not in anyway suggesting you don't know how to mix grout!!!

Kev

 

[wetdec]

My oppinion this problem is blown out of propotion.

The guy has grouted his mosaics with possibly the incorrect grout, he has then cleaned them with filla cleaner ( no polymers no nothing) they now need to be left to dry while he intensifies some spares to atchieve the look he requires.

If he gets the look he wants on the sample dust off the wall tiles and apply it to them. End of !!

tiler

..

 

[MICK the Tiler]

I too have my doubts as to whether the grout has scratched the surface also.

I think its just a case of not working clean enough, wiping down with fresh water after every wipe down and this has left a film of polymer, but without actually looking at the job in person myself I still could be guessing and nothing surprises me these days.

I've never and don't reccommend the sealing of stone or trav pocelain or marble before grouting You just have to take your time work slow and work clean with plenty of fresh water and good quality tile and slaters sponges. Sealing before grouting can lead to hairline cracks poor grout adhesion or in extreme cases grout failure.

If after all the products used on this particular stone fail to clean it to a reasonable result one could try a heavy automotive cut and polish paste followed by a caranuba wax buffed into the surface, NOW THAT"S THINKING OUTSIDE THE SQUARE.

 

[Branty]

Dave,

You definately don't need to say sorry to me mate. Sometimes the grout can scratch the surface as well, it depends on the finish of the tile and if the grout has been correctly mixed. It is a very common occurence especially with modified grouts. Polymer grouts need to be aerated to ensure an even distribution off the polymers and in case there has been any settlement or lumping. It should also be rested/slaked and then mixed again.

There is a very good post on the mixing of grouts on this forum somewhere.

PS I am not in anyway suggesting you don't know how to mix grout!!!

Kev

But in this case we have a tumbled stone, not a polished one. If you seen the pics you could see that.

PS I do know how to mix grout, mixed more grout than I care to remember. Spent the 1st 2 years of my tiling life doing nothing but.
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My oppinion this problem is blown out of propotion.



..

I agree with you there.
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I too have my doubts as to whether the grout has scratched the surface also.

I think its just a case of not working clean enough, wiping down with fresh water after every wipe down and this has left a film of polymer, but without actually looking at the job in person myself I still could be guessing and nothing surprises me these days.

I've never and don't reccommend the sealing of stone or trav pocelain or marble before grouting You just have to take your time work slow and work clean with plenty of fresh water and good quality tile and slaters sponges. Sealing before grouting can lead to hairline cracks poor grout adhesion or in extreme cases grout failure.

If after all the products used on this particular stone fail to clean it to a reasonable result one could try a heavy automotive cut and polish paste followed by a caranuba wax buffed into the surface, NOW THAT"S THINKING OUTSIDE THE SQUARE.

Working clean is all well and good when its your profession, but for a novice, not always that easy.
I very rarely seal before grouting also.
I think I'd rather use a product specifically designed for tile.