Replies

1. 
   Sbds | Nov 16, 2009 08:33pm | #1

   Shameless bump

2. 
   webby | Nov 16, 2009 11:04pm | #2

   This too is a bump, Hopefully someone who has encountered this before will be along shortly.

   However, im thinking either a sealer before you grout, or blue painters tape at the joints,then carefully grouting the joint. If the joint is wide, you could use a grout bag, if it is a narrow joint you could try to carefully grout just the joint, not spreading the grout all over, like you would with tile.

   Or, you could try no tape, and just carefully filling the joint and wiping the excess off with a very lightly moistened sponge as you go. Being careful to not drag your grout out.

   Webby 

    

1. 
   Piffin | Nov 17, 2009 12:02am | #3

   yes, those the options as I see it. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   webby | Nov 17, 2009 12:11am | #4

   Yes, we did about the same thing with synthetic stone veneer on fireplaces. The synthetic hearthstones were rough, so we experimented a little and used the grout bag and filled the joint then carefully cleaned the top edge of the stone.

   Cuttting that stuff left a residue on the wetsaw that you can still see today. I guess it'll wear off.Webby 

    

3. 
   Henley | Nov 17, 2009 02:13am | #5

   Yeah, seal it first and wipe the surface clean as you go.

   But, the MOST important thing to remember....

   It will get dirty soon enough, so don't sweat the small stuff.

   seriously

1. 
   Sbds | Nov 17, 2009 04:25am | #6

   Thanks Henley, Got a sealer you like?

1. 
   mmoogie | Nov 17, 2009 07:41am | #9

   Ask Henley how well that worked for him on the last bluestone hearth he grouted...;-)

1. 
   Henley | Nov 17, 2009 03:08pm | #10

   Well, the last two went fine. The one before that (yours) something was fishy. I've decided it must have been the thirty six coats of sealer
   you put on there :)

2. 
   Henley | Nov 17, 2009 03:12pm | #11

   I've used "Miracle seal" from the Home despot several times now. Can't say it is the best ever, but it works well. Plus this application doesn't need the high test stuff. Your just trying to keep some ash off.

1. 
   Sbds | Nov 17, 2009 03:43pm | #12

   Henley,Thanks for the info. I'm not too worried about the ash. I'm more concerned about the grout not coming off the stone when I rinse it. The grout lines are 1/8 ", too small for a grout bag so I will seal it first and be very careful when grouting. I won't stray too far from the grout joint and I will wipe it off very quickly.Thanks again,Danny.

1. 
   Honeymoon | Nov 18, 2009 01:48am | #13

   I see masons do it all the time for outside work. They make a dry (little water) mix of sand and Portlandt and kinda push and sweep it in the joints then pack it and tool it with a narrow trowel. Can't think of the trowels name.........clean up the stone a bit with a sponge, tool the joint one last time and move on.

   I would not use grout, at least not in that consistency.

2. 
   Henley | Nov 18, 2009 01:51am | #14

   The trowel is often called a "jointer" http://www.goldblatttool.com/Product.aspx?id=314

3. 
   Honeymoon | Nov 18, 2009 05:14am | #15

   I'm just getting forgetful.

4. 
   Sbds | Nov 18, 2009 10:15pm | #16

   Thanks,The joint is 1/8" , the tool may not be small enough. If I use grout I will mix it very stiffDanny

4. 
   danusan10 | Nov 17, 2009 04:49am | #7

   Squeeze bag the joint, let the mortar set up a bit before striking with joint tool. Sealing prior to grout, fine broom, sweep the excess off before sponge thats squeezed hard. sponge is damp no water flow at all. Use all sides of sponge rinse and repeat process.

5. 
   mike585 | Nov 17, 2009 05:25am | #8

   I just built a firepit this summer and faced it with bluestone. I used S type mortar mix to adhere the bluestone to concrete. Mortar is holding well between the stones. So I would think you could grout with success.

   Not a mason though. Not even a free mason.