Mosaic tile, grout before or after?

[32alan]

Over this weekend I hope to tile the shower with mosaic tiles which are glass and metal on a mesh sheet. My question is - not to dull I hope, but got to ask - once they are up and fully dry, do I remove the protective film which is over every one before or after grouting, thought it would have been after, to protect from grout although I can see me pull off the film whilst grouting, but have seen somewhere that comes of before, so best check. Thanks.

 

[Alan.P]

Before grouting, what grout are you using, some may scratch the mosaics.

 

[peckers]

Make sure you have a very fine grout as you will find they will scratch easily. especially the metals ones.

 

[32alan]

Granfix - Maxigrout - a polymer modified flexible grout. Colour Charcoal not black sorry got that wrong. Seems like a very fine grout. Any advice on minimising the scratching, apart from be very careful of course. The mosaics are made up of 15mm squares and 50mm squares approx. Could I leave the larger tiles (50mm Sq) protective layering on? Or take the lot off? Thanks.

 

[Alan.P]

According to the PDF it isn't advised for some tile types as it can cause scratching. You mentioned it was in a shower, did you tank the walls ?

Link to PDF

 

[32alan]

According to the PDF it isn't advised for some tile types as it can cause scratching. You mentioned it was in a shower, did you tank the walls ?
Link to PDF

Yep walls taken care of and going to tile tomorrow, I nearly used ready mix on the waterproofer, dam shop gave it to me, thanks to the guys on here I have better understanding and the right addy for the job.
I'll have to have a go on some left over tiles with the grouting. I guess its a suck it an see situ. Thanks for your help and taking the time to look for and read the pdf.

 

[Alan.P]

Your welcome.