I've got Mapei Ultracolour plus for grouting 16m2 floor. As the stuff goes off pretty quick what is the best way to grout. Do I mix a bit and grout 1-2m2, then mix another batch and so on, then wash all off, or do I have to complete 1-2m2 then wash off before starting another area. If I do it that way, won't the water from washing the first area get into the empty grout joints in my successive areas?
Am just looking for the most efficient, tried and tested method. Oh and another thing, how on earth do I know how much to mix to ensure I've got just enough to complete in the time before the stuff goes off?? I'm guessing its just trial and error....
Any other advice for using Ultracolour plus??
Cheers
Jimbob

This might help on the usage of ultra colour... http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tile-a...s-how-use.html

And the rest depends on how quick you work..

I think we can safely assume I'll be slower than the average tiler!

If I do each area in full before starting to mix the next, do I just need to be careful with getting the water into the empty joints as I clean? Also I am concerned about patchy or different shades of the grout if doing areas at different times and they are drying at different times. Is this a possibility?

what size tiles are you using jimbob, the larger the tiles, the less grouting to do

Doug, the tiles are 450mm square, and I'll be using a 5mm grout joint

Jmbob, (not that i've forgiven you for the comment about liverpool)...lol
I was talking to "kaharrison9" (forum member,) at the mapei training day on monday, he was explaining his methods with the ultracolour, PM him mate, i'll let him explain, sounds good....lar...calm down calm down...

Originally Posted by CON5933

Jmbob, (not that i've forgiven you for the comment about liverpool)...lol
I was talking to "kaharrison9" (forum member,) at the mapei training day on monday, he was explaining his methods with the ultracolour, PM him mate, i'll let him explain, sounds good....lar...calm down calm down...

Ha ha, all comments made in jest!
Thanks for the tip, I'll send him a PM for some tips

I mix HALF the bag 2.5kg with 550-600mm of water making it slightly wetter than normal but not overly so. Use it all then scarify and wash. Leaves a lot of powdery residue but a couple of cleans takes this off.

Ultracolour should be mixed as per instructions mags

So, how long do you think it will take you to grout without washing off, maybe if we get an idea of your speed it might help, 16m2 isn't that big an area at all, really, not picking, let us know.

Originally Posted by doug boardley

Ultracolour should be mixed as per instructions mags

Ran it past the lads at Mapei on Monday all is ok

Originally Posted by Alan.P

So, how long do you think it will take you to grout without washing off, maybe if we get an idea of your speed it might help, 16m2 isn't that big an area at all, really, not picking, let us know.

Well, they are largeish tiles, and the 16m2 is made up of kitchen 8m2 and hallway 8m2, so if the grout can last in the tub for 20-25 mins, do you think its possible to do 8m2 ok in that time in the kitchen, then mix another batch and do hallway? I've got 2 5kg bags of the stuff, so it would be easier if I could mix an entire bag per the instructions, do the first 8m2, then mix the 2nd bag.....

that sounds a sensible way to do it jimbob

Sorted
I'll attach a cable to the ceiling and hang from it like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible to clean up the floor after grouting

LOL, sounds like you have it under control, good luck and don't forget............. we like piccies ( pictures )

Experience will lead you to how much grout you should mix at a time.
For now, I would mix enough to do a reasonable area and just ensure that you kneel in the middle of a tile when washing off. Obviously, make sure that you place your washboy on whole tiles and not grout joints too!

If you're worried about working times, maybe you should look for a more forgiving grout. I used Ardex non-flexi grout yesterday that had a working time of up to 2 hours. I'm sure you can find a flexi grout that'll give you a little longer than the mapei gear.
For me personally, i prefer to wash off in stages. If you leave it all til the end, it's a lot of hard graft to get the residue off. Is it possible to do a section in the kitchen, then a section in the hallway? Or is the hallway the only way out? You can always use a towel to dry up excess water from the tiles.

Hi Jimbob
I only use Ultracolour now.
Have tried on many an occasion with the Bal but have found it very inconsistant in drying patchy and efflorescent.Was getting nervous end of each job when it came to grouting.
Forget about folk descibing ultracolour as fast setting and been difficult.It's only that if you try to do to large an area and mix to much.
Night before grouting i divide the 5kg bag into five 1kg bags using the missus weighing scales.
I have a small paddle on my hand drill.
Also have a little babies bottle with all the m/l measurements on.
I think the exact measurement is 1kg to 210ml.So no guessing i get the exact measurement and consistency exact every time.
Before grouting i have everything ready-water,sponges,floats,etc
Follow the Mapei instructions that Dave put on the thread,even put them in a clear plastic wallet to protect.
The grout behaves exactly how described slackening after the second mix.
1kg tends to do around 2-3 sqm obviously sizes of the tiles.After the first bag you know exactly how many bags you'll require.
Just work on that one bag of grout at a time and that'll leave you under no pressure or threat of it drying.
After the first wash down i change the water,clean sponges,washboyetc
then prepare for the next mix.
When ready final wash down them mix next bag.
Also hardly any grout gets wasted as your mixinging 1kg at atime.
Consistancy,preparation and time very important.
Best of luck.
Mail us again with any more questions
Kev

Also have 2 of everything,mixers,tubs,washboy sponges,hand sponges,grout float,etc for dark and light shades of grout.
Also keep them seperate in storage as black gout is easly transferable!
Kev