Advice needed on which white grout to use on kitchen walls that won’t stain? - TilersForums.com

[Ben tiler]

hi everyone, sorry I’m new to this forum so please bear with me. Here is my dilemma & hoping for some feedback/advice if possible.

(Here’s a little bit about me) I’ve been tiling for 15 years, still a rookie compared to some but I’ve worked with most materials ranging through stone to terrazzo, mosaics to granite cladding & everything in between, tiled swimming pools & columns to 5000m2 shopping centres, worked through both commercial & domestic.
Here is my question.... I’ve just fitted a new kitchen at home & just tiled the walls in a white flat faced ceramic metro tile, I would like to use a white grout as it would fit in with the finish I’m looking for but my problem is I know that white grout stains/discolours! Some more than others!! Just looking for suggestions as to the best possible way to stop this happening.... surely some of you old school tradesmen will have some tips for a young gun like myself. Was thinking of using a white epoxy grout as a last resort but I know the heartache this stuff causes!!!! Especially since my kitchen is already fitted!! & I know epoxy loves water (& a kitchen doesn’t!!) any advice or suggestions as to which products to look out for & what to stay away from would be greatly appreciated! Researched a little bit about the different brands & spoke to a few of the leading brands, bal/Mapei etc & they all say to use their versions of epoxy as theirs will not stain as such. Easypoxy & others have been mentioned as they are new formulas that makes the job a lot easier! but I don’t believe it for a minute as every epoxy I have ever used have been hard work to use & very messy!!
Any help guys??
(Sorry for the long post everyone but in a massive dilemma at the moment)
Cheers.

 

[Bill]

you can get grout sealers...... never used one but some folk say they work well

Use an epoxy, there are even some easy to use epoxy grouts on the market today

Look at an eco grout like Kerakoll and their range.

 

[One Day]

epoxy, epoxy and only epoxy will do what you ask.

 

[One Day]

... but I don’t believe it for a minute as every epoxy I have ever used have been hard work to use & very messy!!

Sorry Ben, but without being flippant - you've been doing it wrong then!
Harder work? Sometimes.
Messier? Not in my experience, if you prep well and work cleanly and methodically with the right kit.

 

[Ben tiler]

Sorry Ben, but without being flippant - you've been doing it wrong then!
Harder work? Sometimes.
Messier? Not in my experience, if you prep well and work cleanly and methodically with the right kit.

Thank you for the quick reply. I’ve only ever really used epoxy in food prep areas in supermarkets & when doing swimming pools & found it to be pretty awkward to use. Was like treacle & needed lots of water & scouring pads to take it off. May have just been a few bad experiences... but can imagine it to be pretty awkward in a kitchen area. Any advice on best epoxy to use & best method by any chance. Appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

[Ben tiler]

you can get grout sealers...... never used one but some folk say they work well

Use an epoxy, there are even some easy to use epoxy grouts on the market today

Look at an eco grout like Kerakoll and their range.

Yes I’ve seen the grout sealers but Not sure how well they work.... will check out the kerakoll range for sure. Would you say the kerrakol is easy to use? & also how is it for yellowing as seen a few posts about certain epoxys yellowing (not sure on the timescales though) Thanks for your help.

 

[One Day]

Thank you for the quick reply. I’ve only ever really used epoxy in food prep areas in supermarkets & when doing swimming pools & found it to be pretty awkward to use. Was like treacle & needed lots of water & scouring pads to take it off. May have just been a few bad experiences... but can imagine it to be pretty awkward in a kitchen area. Any advice on best epoxy to use & best method by any chance. Appreciate any help. Thank you.

I use a lot of kerapoxy.
Essential tools, digital scales for accurate part-mixes.
Decent epoxy float.
Quality nitrile gloves. Change them and clean up the moment you start to get sticky.
Wonder wipes for quick clean up if you get messy.
White emulsifying pads. I get 3m cut in half. Don't bother with epoxy without these.
Sponge clothes, you chuck away once claggy.
Kerapoxy cleaner, comes in a trigger gun and makes final clean up so easy.

Work cleanly, strike off as much as you can, don't rush. Emulsify, then one pass (and only one) with a damp sponge.
Never go over the same area twice on clean up. Yes it costs sponges but charge accordingly.
Kerapoxy cleaner for a final clean and done correctly, no need to go back the next day with the isopropyl!

 

[Simon Dale]

Used the Keracoll one on 90 mts of planks few years ago, Never again lol It remained a bit tacky on the surface after washing had to use resin x next day !!

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

Hi. I am about to tile a kitchen using similar tiles. The customer wants white metro tiles as seen in a popular DIY Store (wickes and B&Q). I noticed the B&Q tiles were not flat, haven't looked in wickes.

Anyway I was planning on using Mapei Ultracolour Plus (anthracite), with matching silicone. This was based on its water repellent claims, anti fungal and matching silicone. Any reasons I shouldn't use this in the kitchen? (Its a home kitchen not working).

All the best

 

[Ben tiler]

Hi. I am about to tile a kitchen using similar tiles. The customer wants white metro tiles as seen in a popular DIY Store (wickes and B&Q). I noticed the B&Q tiles were not flat, haven't looked in wickes.

Anyway I was planning on using Mapei Ultracolour Plus (anthracite), with matching silicone. This was based on its water repellent claims, anti fungal and matching silicone. Any reasons I shouldn't use this in the kitchen? (Its a home kitchen not working).

All the best

That should be fine to use as it shouldn't stain like white grout would. Also it is nice grout to use so nothing to worry about.