Microflex Mixing Ratio... - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

matt_sx · 02-08-2008

I'm a DIY'er

Hi guys, I know your sharing your trade but was wondering what you think of the 4 to 1 by weight with this grout?

I've just mixed up 2kg of powder with 500g of water and I struggled with it

Just wondering if you add more water? or it's mean't to be more stiff than eerrmm??? toothpaste!

Grouting SUCKS!!

Many Thanks

Matt

**grumpygrouter** · 02-08-2008

I think you will probably find that most of the pros on here don't "measure" the mix any more. they add powder to water and mix, adding more powder until they acheive the consistancy they want.

Toothpaste isn't really that thick is it. Mine isn't!

Did you do it by hand or use a mixer in a drill. I can imagaine by hand it would be quite heavy work. A drill and whisk makes it much easier. Also did you add powder to water or water to powder?

**Sir Ramic** · 02-08-2008

In what way did you struggle.??
i used some microflex today and had no problems at all. i mixed mine so it was able to slide off the trowel but not fall off, if that makes sense.

matt_sx · 02-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

I think you will probably find that most of the pros on here don't "measure" the mix any more. they add powder to water and mix, adding more powder until they acheive the consistancy they want.

Toothpaste isn't really that thick is it. Mine isn't!

Did you do it by hand or use a mixer in a drill. I can imagaine by hand it would be quite heavy work. A drill and whisk makes it much easier. Also did you add powder to water or water to powder?

Bit hard to explain but i'll give it a go, I did mix by hand purely because the instructions said if mixing mechanically to keep the speed low

I've used a different brand of grout and mixed with my drill and really stirred it up but had problems with it going off within 10 mins!, not sure if it was a dodgy batch? ****e grout? or what? so thought i'd mix this by hand

As for the problems I guess it's down to me and my speed , but it seemed too dry, and when using a piece of plastic waste pipe to force it into the joints it wasnt smooth , but parted in places? looked ok when I sponged over, but now thinking I've wiped out too much grout

It's not easy and maybe i'm too anal, but was wondering if you pro's add a little more water

**grumpygrouter** · 02-08-2008

I find grouting a bit of a black art to be honest. When mixing, you need to aim for the constancy of soft whipped cream, sort oflike when it comes to peaks that don't collapse. A good test is to see how easily it falls of the float. I find it should just about slide off. if it is runny it is no good and if it sticks to the float it is too thick. Practise, as always makes perfect. You just need to take your time. Always add powder to water, a bit at a time, and not the other way round.

**whitebeam** · 02-08-2008

Don,t add to much powder at once otherwise your,ll end up with lumpy grout in the bottom of the bucket/tub

matt_sx · 02-08-2008

The last 2 replys has possibly found the problem

I added the full 2kg of powder to the 500g of water in one go and then mixed

I'll gradually add the next 2 kg

Thanks guys, really appreciate it

Matt

robbo · 02-08-2008

always mix bit by bit cause if you mix it all up and it ends up to runny.........no good to anyone, unless you live two seconds from the tile store so you can quickly get another bag....

matt_sx · 02-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbo

always mix bit by bit cause if you mix it all up and it ends up to runny.........no good to anyone, unless you live two seconds from the tile store so you can quickly get another bag....

Thanks mate, makes complete sense!

I love tiling, and with a 5 hr pot life with adhesive I can take my time, never thought grouting was going to be the problem!

Respect

Matt

robbo · 02-08-2008

mixing addy and grout will become second nature soon, just like grumpy said you'll never measure anything, you'll just know when its right!

Keep on mixin......

Mark B · 02-08-2008

Hi Matt,

I'm still quite new to tiling and whilst I don't measure my addy any more I do still weigh out the grout. I've found that the 4:1 ratio for microflex with just a dash more water works for me. It's still quite stiff but you can really force it into the joints with the float and it doesn't pull out.

Mark

matt_sx · 02-08-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark B

Hi Matt,

I'm still quite new to tiling and whilst I don't measure my addy any more I do still weigh out the grout. I've found that the 4:1 ratio for microflex with just a dash more water works for me. It's still quite stiff but you can really force it into the joints with the float and it doesn't pull out.

Mark

Thanks Mark

You guys will probably laugh but the wall I grouted today was only 4m2!! and I sweated like a pig!!!
I've got 2 more walls to do but theres a window in one and a door in the other so a little smaller

For a trade that sounds so easy I'm now a little wiser

Thanks for the replys guys

Matt