Mapei ultracolor plus jasmine

[grouter_steve]

Hi all,

I'm new to this forum (and new to tiling) so hope someone may help.

At the weekend I finished grouting using the product in the title. But the end result was not too pretty. the colour of the grout was dark in some areas and lighter in others. The dark patches seemed to be harder too.

This is the second time i used this product and the same thing happened the first time (previous weekend)

Am currently scrapping it all out for a rerun for this weekend.

I mixed the powder in a bucket with a mixer attached to a drill, applied the grout and wiped off at 45` with a damp sponge?

I have been to the mapei site and have been reading the datasheet. I am going to follow the instructions to the letter next time.

It says mix, leave for 2-3mins and the mix again.
apply the grout within 20-25 mins.

When the mix loses its plasticity and becomes opaque 15-30mins (I don't understand plasticity and opaque? will it be obvious?) wipe with a sponge at 45`

Then 5-60mins later abrade the joint to neaten with scotch brite.


Can someone please explain to me if I missed anything or which bits are most important?

Thanks in advance
steve

 

[grumpygrouter]

Ultracolor plus is an excellent grout, but it MUST be mixed and used in accordance with the instructions. It sounds to me like you may have washed of with too wet a sponge, or possibly not mixed correctly. You may have mixed too quickly and introduced air into the product. I have used the Jasmine several times and never had a problem like you are describing. I have never found the need to abrade with a scotch brite pad later though.

To see if the grout has set enough to washed off, do the "finger test" i.e, lightly touch the grout and if it sticks to your finger it is too wet still. it is also best to do not too large an area at a time. Did you mix a full bag at once and use it all before cleaning off?

 

[faithhealer]

Sorry to hear that Steve never had a problem with that before, hope someone can enlighten us
Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[grouter_steve]

Thanks,

I split a 5kg bag into two (one half for each weekend) but I shook the bag really well first. however when I added the water I just did it until is looked the right consistency to put up? what was left in the bucket looked the right colour when it was almost set? I used all the grout first before then clearing off, the wall is probaly only 4ft by 8ft.

steve

 

[grumpygrouter]

Ultracolor Plus is very sensitive to the amount of water you use. Unless you measured out both the powder and the water, this is most likely where the problem has arisen.

 

[Leatherface]

Mapei coloured grouts are not in any way forgiving, you MUST follow instructions to the letter, especially powder to water ratio. Ignore at your peril : colour difference can be severe !!!! wipe off too soon : poor results. Wipe off too late, difficult to remove. Fail to clean off properly : haze difficult to remove !!

 

[grouter_steve]

I think (and hope) its the water to pwder ratio that I've got wrong, I must admit I did just mix it until it looked a nice consistency, rather than weighing the bag and working out the exact amount of water.

Thanks for all the advice by the way.

P.S. I'm loving raking out all the old (new) grout

 

[brian c]

as said above you must mix exactly as directed otherwise you will have problems.I think its 5kg bag to 1 litre of water..but just check packaging to be certain.Follow the guidelines and you will be fine im sure.

 

[devonmark]

used jasmine many times plus many of the other colours, never had the problem that you describe, must add that I never use a mixer for grout, always use my hand...

 

[Gazzer]

used jasmine many times plus many of the other colours, never had the problem that you describe, must add that I never use a mixer for grout, always use my hand...

I personally use a small trowel :lol: