sealing BAL micromax grout

[xelaris]

I'm a bit disappointed by BAL micromax's mixing instructions - I strongly believe these are over conservative regarding the quantity of water required for the mixing and pushing the grout into the grooves wasn't easy....the finish looks a bit rough and therefore more prone to keeping moisture and dirt so I've decided to consider sealing it....shall I seal the porcelain tiles as well? If so can I use the same sealant for both tiles and grout?

 

[jctilingservices]

I'm a bit disappointed by BAL micromax's mixing instructions - I strongly believe these are over conservative regarding the quantity of water required for the mixing and pushing the grout into the grooves wasn't easy....the finish looks a bit rough and therefore more prone to keeping moisture and dirt so I've decided to consider sealing it....shall I seal the porcelain tiles as well? If so can I use the same sealant for both tiles and grout?

been using micromax for years with no problems, did you give the grout time to slake, then mix again ? to be totally honest with you i never follow the mixing instructions, i mix it to the consistency i want, then grout.

you can put a sealer over your grout, your porcelain tiles however may have already been sealed when you bought them.

 

[xelaris]

I allowed a few minutes for the slaking....then remixed and still the stuff was a bit too hard for my liking - next time I'd ignore the packaging instructions and go with the "flow" (literally).

How can I seal the grout without affecting the tiles? - the lines are not larger than 2.5mm...- maybe it woud help using masking tape to cover the tile's edges? (and just "paint" the grout lines with a small brush?).

 

[xelaris]

I allowed a few minutes for the slaking....then remixed and still the stuff was a bit too hard for my liking - next time I'd ignore the packaging instructions and go with the "flow" (literally).

How can I seal the grout without affecting the tiles? - the lines are not larger than 2.5mm...- maybe it woud help using masking tape to cover the tile's edges? (and just "paint" the grout lines with a small brush?).

it looks the word "protector" is used rather than "sealant" regarding grout sealing - is anyone aware of the Fila Fugaproof?:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/fila-fugaproof-grout-protector-500ml/63440

 

[jctilingservices]

fila fugaproof is a decent grout protector mate and can be applied, do a water test on a tile to see if they are already sealed though first

 

[xelaris]

fila fugaproof is a decent grout protector mate and can be applied, do a water test on a tile to see if they are already sealed though first

I tested the tiles by leaving a few drops on both sides (two tiles) and after 2 hours the drops where still there and no darker/absorption marks on sight....these are really impervious tiles = properly sealed and good quality. So, it looks the protector should only be applied to the grout (good savings there - the quality of the tiles is already paying dividends).

There was another grout product on the Selco shelves - it had 50% VOC so I opted for the Fugaproof which is much more environmentally friendly....
Then I'm also testing a "Bond-It Sealer & Polish (also at Selco) which seems more designed for both tiles and grout (so less specific) but at a bargain price and very low VOC content.