mapei grout - sets dam fast

[ryanbrown]

Does anyone find this mapei grout sets way too fast?

I find i cant use a washboy when using it because you need to put a lot of pressure on the joints on the first wash down to clean it off.

Even mixing enough grout to do about 2 square metres (small measuring jug amount) the first bit (you grout) seems to need washing down before youve even finished using all the grout, so its a bit of plate spinning exercise - because you have to keep halting the grouting to run about trying to wash down what youve already grouted before it sets to hard and before your grout in the bucket becomes unsuable.

Unless I'm slow working or mixing it too thick or something.

Tile Giant guy said this stuff need to be used in 30 minutes once mixed - so that doesnt give you long to grout and wash down, so I'm guessing you need to mix only small amounts at a time - which is bit of a pain.

 

[DHTiling]

My advise would be to switch brands if it sets to quick for you to work with..better than having a sweat on washing off lol lol............dave..

 

[sc24]

it does set very fast, only tend to use it with porcelain or fully vitrified tiles because it dont hang around wet in the joints very long, agree with dave change brands.. horses for courses!

 

[Fekin]

Never used it but have heard it sets fast.

 

[Fred]

You might be using their ultra-colour Plus, which sets extra fast. I only knock up a few m2 of the stuff at a time. You can still get their normal setting grout, just does not say 'plus' on the bag. Otherwise, use Ardex C2 floor grout, you can do a great area at a time with it, and I find it gives you just enough time to wash it off.

 

[howard]

i use it all the time and yes it sets very fast when its just about dry on the tile just rub it off the tile with a dry cloth it comes off so easy no need to use a washboy and the tiles are spotless i think its the best grout ive used

 

[ryanbrown]

Yep it was ultra coulour fast - it says on the bag its 15-30 mins before it needs washing down but I found it was more like 10 mins.
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Is there any advantage having grout that sets so fast? If you have to down tools all the time to wash down and have to mix up endless buckets of grout - isnt it going to take you longer to do? I dont rreally see the point of fast setting grout - unless you have an apprentice lagging behind you by about 10 mins washing down or something.

 

[DHTiling]

it comes in handy when grouting non porous tiles such as glass mosaics or fully vitrified tiles............dave..

 

[ryanbrown]

I'm glad there are other type of slower setting mapie grout in the range - will have to be careful of that in future - it all tends to look similar - generally I really like mapei stuff - and very usefull to be able to get everything from the same place - and its a good price after trade discount.