Applying grout and getting the mix right

[bluevin123]

Hi,
Been tiling a bathroom all week,had nightmare walls etc etc,but finally got round to grouting today.Thing is I mixed some Mapei flexi grout suitable for bathrooms,put a litre of water in as instructed then started to add the grout, only to find the whole pack was gone.It seemed very sloppy, but thought id try it,when it went on it was all bitty,crumbly.I thought this was odd so I managed to get the grout out ,but crikey it was setting already.I was getting peed off now and thought im gonna scrap it along with the gorilla tub,nearly slung it out of the customers window,but thought better of it,Luckily I had some different grout in the boot of me car.
Thing is when I grout,I find myself going over it again once it drys,I apply correctly(or so I think) then washboy it off,but there seems to be little grainy bits in it at times,hence me going over it again.
Not gonna let it beat me,just wanna overcome this time wasting problem.
Any advice????
please.
Vinnie.

[pjc]

never read the insructions you will get in trouble

[Dave]

When adding the water put slightly less than the instructions say..then if its to stiff then you can add a little to get it right......read this it might also help... grouting techniques

[Ric]

think this is what Dave is getting at....but i put powder in first then add bits of water until i get right consistency...hope this is of some help.....

[tiler tom]

When it comes to grout I have foung that even the same supplier can have a different consistency with different colours. First rule water first only a few ounces that way you can get the feel for consistency against down time. Get to know the product then before you know it you are mixing , grouting, washing without any wastage.

[Fekin]

Yep, never go with the full amount of water stated on the bag, always a good bit less to start with, then add more to gain correct thickness.

[TheWrightTiler]

sound advice there, i ws taught to add less then add more to acheive right consistency, practice makes perfect lol

andy

[Home Tiler]

Well...the way i do it is add water first ...now if your a newbie only put a very small amount of water in the bucket.....don't go mad with putting your grout in at first.... just small quantities...then i get the mix quite thick.. abit like mash potatoe... then i put some on my trowel and it should just about fall of the trowel pretty slowly...and away you go...
the more you mix small quantities the more you will be-able to increase your mix..
i then lightly wipe the tiles with my wet sponge before i grout to help me along the way....also once i've done that area i pretty much straight away get my pads out and get it all worked in properly..(but must admit it all seems pretty much filled in)...then another quick wipe getting my grout lines smooth...
the thing is with runny grout it gets everywhere....i never seem to have a problem doing it this way.. and to be honest i never get air bubbles in my grout lines which i know can be a pain to sort out ..

well this is how i do it....lol

Steve