What is a good make epoxy?

[Dan]

An epoxy can be used as a tile fixing or tile grouting solution although often only used as a tile grout due to it's high costs. the advantage of using epoxy as a grout is the pure fact that it's impervious to not only water, many chemicals can also not work it's way through the epoxy once cured. This allows it to be used in Food Preparation areas such as commercial kitchens and the likes. Using an epoxy as a grout in a shower environment will also ensure your shower will not leak to any floors below it providing other methods of tanking are carried out to enforce the epoxy.

A good make that's easy to apply and clean off is one manufactured by BAL adhesives. Call them on 01782 591120 for more information.

Epoxy grout is awful stuff, it's one of those products that requires regular practice to use and I've really been involved in work that requires that specification of grout.

Of course if you fit out restaurants for a lving you'll be using it day in and dayout, and getting through a fair few grout floats and sponges I imagine.

[Dan]

It certainly is only for the skilled... but the BAL gear is the easiest to apply/clean up etc.

i agree, it's a pain in the butt and i charge accordingly

[Dan]

Ever used a really poor brand epoxy? Those can be a real nightmare. BAL is the easiest I've used but I've only used three makes, I think those were GRanfix or Graflex, can't remember which one let me have a sample or two, then there was the BAL gear which I've done large and small floors and walls with in many variations of colours and tile types (even 100 x 100 rough finish slate on a floor and something like 200 x 300 Matt finish flat slate on walls, all black with black epoxy, crazy shower that way).

hi

i have recently finished a course and epoxy grouting was talked about but not actually practised.

can any of you pros, give me an idea of how difficult it is to use. can you practise it or do you need to be shown?? finally how much can you do at a time??

cheers

tiler

[Dan]

Tiler,

Do a meter at a time at the most, you can practise it of course! Get a couple of small tubs, different brands preferably and get going on some made up pretend floors in your garage at home with some 100 x 100 tiles (to get more grout practise in).

You have to use an epoxy grout float, which is a harder rubber float that you spread a small amount of epoxy on to and then press into the joint. The trick is to try and not get too much on the tile surface.

Then once you have spread a meters worth, get your epoxy emulsifying scouring pad thing and do small circular motions with it when the pad is slightly wet.

Then use a sponge to wipe the final grime off the tile surface.

It's important to not let the epoxy dry on the tile, you can't get it off the next day like normal grouts. You have to do everything with your 1 square meter while the epoxy is wet, get it looking really clean, grout joints well filled, tiles all shiny and smooth again and no sticky texture to them, then do another meter.

Hope this helps

many thanks admin

excellent advice and tips, very much appreciated

best regards

tilerb

[tony TLC]

i dont think there is an easy epoxy do small amounts kepp it very clean this realy is horrible stuff were good ppe ie gloves face mask nasty stuff

BAL easypoxy,blistering hot water and lots of sponges!

[Mosaic Mike]

Dan,
I notice from the attached that you have tried a black epoxy (which I assumed was a BAL product from your blurb) Did you colour this yourself as I can't find a black epoxy to order and trial. Any thoughts where I would best go?
Mike

Originally Posted by Dan

Ever used a really poor brand epoxy? Those can be a real nightmare. BAL is the easiest I've used but I've only used three makes, I think those were GRanfix or Graflex, can't remember which one let me have a sample or two, then there was the BAL gear which I've done large and small floors and walls with in many variations of colours and tile types (even 100 x 100 rough finish slate on a floor and something like 200 x 300 Matt finish flat slate on walls, all black with black epoxy, crazy shower that way).

[whitebeam]

Used the bal stuff, Lots of cleaning

[MICK the Tiler]

Originally Posted by GazTech

BAL easypoxy,blistering hot water and lots of sponges!

Top Top Tip that is Gaz as hot as your hands can stand even hotter than you can stand.................at least the pain from your scalded hands will take your mind off the pain of epoxy grout.

[redlee]

The Bisazza stuff is quite good as it comes in a pack(1m sq.i think)-2 part grout, cleaning solution, rough sponge, finshing sponge and gloves. Expensive, sticky residue gets everywhere (hands, clothes, tools and van) and still a pain in the arse.