How thick do you mix your grout? This is Polyblend (unsanded grout with acrylic additives); their website said the mixture should have the consistence of peanut butter.
A professional tiler at This Old House said it should be the consistency of warm butter. That’s practically liquid.
Is there a visual cue to know when you’ve added enough grout powder to water? For example, when mixing plaster I sprinkle it in without stirring, until the mound of plaster breaks the surface of the water. Then it’s just right.
Replies
There should be instructions on the bag telling you how much water to add to a specified amount of powder.
There are instructions on the package, but the amounts are too small to measure accurately. I don't work that quickly yet, so I'm grouting small sections to keep within the open time.
Mixing small amounts, installing it, cleaning it, then repeating... that's a pretty good way to work if you have more than a small area. There can be a lot of problems if grout is too wet. Like Zak says it mixes up to a looser consistency and then stiffens after a short while. If it's going into the joints easily, it's too wet. You have to pack it in there and it is a lot of work. Do not overwater it to make it easy.
Creamy peanut butter would be closer to the right consistency.
I have no tip for the visual clue you are looking for, I add water to powder and stir until it looks like peanut butter, let it set (slake) and adjust a little if it needs it.
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'That's all I've got to say about that' - Forrest Gump
I usually go a little bit wetter than peanut butter. After it sits for 10 minutes or so, it's about right (creamy peanut butter). Better to make it on the stiff side, and keep your grout float damp than to have it too wet.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
It's often reffered to as the consistancy of mayo, a little softer than pbutter.
With small amounts just go by consistancy and definitely let the stuff sit (slake) before remixing and adjusting water a final time.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
I was thinking as I typed my response earlier that peanut butter isn't as thick as I remember it used to be, that's why I said creamy PB._______________________________________________________________
'That's all I've got to say about that' - Forrest Gump
A little thicker than tahini butter after you mix the oils in the butter..or...about as thick as hummus...or maybe just a tad thicker than peanut butter but with all the nuts blended in real good...
Damn...I'm gettin' hungry...bye~~~~
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The replies to this thread from these guys is great!! love the quotes and the banter back and forth...created an account just to be able to comment on that....and this is 2019 about posts in 2007!! love it!
I've mixed lots of grout. Cake frosting is what you're looking for.
You might get to see the instructions on the bag.