Grouting advise please

[richardkear]

Hi,
looking for some advise from the professional out there. Recently completed tiling out the on-suite bathroom both walls and floor.
Took a lot of advise from the forum and am well pleased with the job.(as is wife)
Now it has come to the point of grouting and I have always struggled with the correct technique for this.
I read somewhere..... that getting the mix consistency right is critical.
I am using Mapei ultra colour grout.
Any advise on how to achieve a great finish would be greatly appreciated.
Step by step if possible :19:
Cheers
Rich K

 

[foggy34]

do exactly what it says on the tin mixing wise!dont wash off to early and make sure your sponge is well rung out, also dont try to grout to much only do what your comfortable with prob 1 wall at a time im sure you ll be fine

 

[Alan.P]

Ultra colour is lovely to use BUT, it goes off fast, don't grout to much at a time if your not comfortable / confident, don't rush it, also, depending on the colour, it has a lot of pigment, so plenty of clean water. How many meters are you looking at ?

 

[richardkear]

Hi Alan,
approx 19m2 on wall on 3 m2 on floor

 

[White Room]

I find mixing the grout in a plastic paint kettle it seems to stay workable for a while, as said once on the tiles it can be rapid..

 

[Mike]

if the mix goes a bit stiff you should be able to soften it by stirring it again. you can do this a few times with ultracolour

 

[Gazzer]

As Mike says but do not add any more water. Just stir it and it can keep for hours.

 

[Alan.P]

Ultra colour is lovely to use BUT, it goes off fast, don't grout to much at a time if your not comfortable / confident, don't rush it, also, depending on the colour, it has a lot of pigment, so plenty of clean water. How many meters are you looking at ?

Hi Alan,
approx 19m2 on wall on 3 m2 on floor

Depending on your application speed and wall size, maybe one wall at a time, keep checking how it's setting, you can gauge this by touch, what colour are you using ?

 

[richardkear]

Colour is called Manhattan silver ish colour I think. Matching silicon for internals and wall floor joint.

 

[Daz]

What tiles are you grouting?
Some matt porcelains really grab the Ultracolour so washing off can be tough.
I find the Ultracolour to be a really good grout if you follow the mixing instructions and you are sensible when applying / washing off.

Good luck,

Daz

 

[richardkear]

Help!!!!
I know you said the Mapei ultra colour goes of quick but hell fire...
Mixed to correct ratio and is drying before i have finished and area of less than a 1/4 mtr2.
The tiles are ceramic so why is the grout drying so fast....
Any advise please....

 

[richardkear]

It know looks as is small cracks are appearing in the grout... what am i doing wrong ?????:incazzato:

 

[richardkear]

Problem solved! Read back of packaging Richard duh!
For absorbent tiles or in hot conditions wet the grout gap with a sponge... Hey presto grout doesn't dry out so fast :hurray:

 

[Aston]

hi

measure everything bang on and use clean mixing buckets every!! mix
give the bag a good 'shake' to ensure all the colour pigments are evenly distributed so you get even quantities each mix.
use a drill and whisk to mix
do small controllable sections each time. dont get too far ahead of your self and you'll be fine.

best of luck!

 

[craigdon]

My main advice when it comes to any grouting would be to judge the grout set by touch and eye. There is always a general time given on the bag, before washing off should commence. This however will always vary dependent on tile, substrate and temperature and the only way to judge this is by touch and eye.