Stone Enhancer to darken grout joints?

[chip]

Has any one in this distinguished group had any success with this?

We have a situation down here where a home buyer is refusing to close untill his grout is as dark as the chip he and his wife chose from the design center.

The builder is a MAJOR customer of my customer, so we have been told to jump and we asked how high!

Any comments?

[Sponsored Links]

[LDavis]

Flatile, I hate to be the "messenger", as in don't shoot me, but the scenario you are describing is probably a lost cause. To many variables are involved in grout color consistency, from the batch/lot used, to how it was mixed, applied, how much thinset remained in the grout joint, and how it was cleaned-up.

Those little sample chunks of grout are to provide a "ballpark" of end result color. Results will vary within a couple of shades either direction, again based on variables listed.

You might check into a grout colorant, I've never used them myself. This gets into a very subjective area of interpretation, unless the installed grout is nowhere near the color of the sample chip.

If you end up having to re-grout, (don't shoot the messenger) I understand there is a new grout system that that involves mixing grout with a colored gel, rather than water. Can't remember the manufacturer, but the propoganda I heard is the company guarantees color consistency regardless of who mixes the grout etc. I haven't personally used this product either.

GOOD LUCK!!!

[chip]

Thanks for your input.

We are aware of all you mention. It is never a pretty picture.

The grout/gel combo you mention is a product that Q.E.P. offers. I have no history on it.

The belief on stone enhancer is that it darkens stone uniformily, so it can have the same affect on grout that is uniformally light in color.

We have experienced a problem doing this procedure, so I thought I would ask if any one has tried it with any success or failures.

Hope your week end is off to a great start, I have thunder over head. So it looks like I'll have to find a few things to do inside. Hmmm!! U.S. OPEN, COLLEGE WORLD SERIES THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS. Paper work? Not today!!!!!

Take good care,

Art Phenis

[John Bridge]

I think I would go with the colorant. Tedious? Yes, but it'll get the deal closed.

Speaking of colorant, I've never gotten into it. But I was recently talking to a painter who does it on the side. He charges 2.50 a foot to do it. Sort of makes one think about changing trades or at least expanding.

[Bri]

The stone enhancer will work if you get the grout joints equally saturated...which is tough to do. Grout colorant? Unfortunatly, you can't do both....it doesn't stick to the stone enhancer, so you'll have to do one or the other.
John..I hope you meant sq ft...you could retire doing a mosaic job.

Hey Art...why not ask Charlotte?

[chip]

Even by sq.feet thats not bad money.

Thanks for the tip, but I think I'll take a pass on your girl friend.

Have a great week end,

Art

[Derek & Jacqui]

I have only experienced using grout colorant once. One of the installers grouted with grey grout instead of antique white (not much difference!!). As he was the son of the contractor,(our sponsor) he decided he did not want to put his error right, so I was 'elected ' for the job. It turned out to be real easy and with great effect. The colorant is poured along the grout lines (there is a nib at the end of the tube) and then 'painted' using a paint sponge. Any excess is washed off after 20 minutes. It was a great success. There was no color variance. It is also expensive.

Hope this helps.

[John Bridge]

Yes indeed. I meant square feet, 2.50 each. I didn't consider the mosaics. But I work in houses, and usually the only place mosiacs are used would be a shower floor.

Think of it. We usually charge 3.25 to install ceramic on a concrete slab. This guy gets 2.50 for painting the joints. And remember, also, that the tiles seem to be getting bigger and bigger (with fewer and fewer joints).

Now, I don't know how many jobs he gets, but if he gets 25 percent, he's doing well. There are people who will pay to have absolutely "everything" done for them.

I'm really sorry about Charlotte. I've tried several times to bring her into reality. [Charlotte is a cleaning lady who has interposed herself on the InfoTile board down under. She's gotten a bit out of her league and resents it when somebody tells her so.]

If you search a little you'll find her at http://www.infotile.com.au/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi

Bri and I have been posting there for a while, and recently Art has joined in.

[chip]

Actually that is how I found you guys.

I found this Texan spouting off and logged on, and I haven't shut up since. You probably hadn't noticed.

I'm telling you guys this grout cleaning/coloring thing is a great way to make money. They are all over the place down here.

[kalford]

Yeah I'm not much on talk either.I'm really not much on argu........discussing things.I just .....go wit da flo.....right Art!?

Sounds like I need to expand my services to include grout colorant.After all,I'm in this business to make a living.Man I got three kids a dog a WIFE with a walmart close by,two trucks,two cars and two maxed out credit cards!!!!
Keith(HELPME)Alford

[Rob Z]

One kid, one wife, but want a new Harley in the worst way. No credit card debt, but lots of new furniture for the new house. AAGGHH!

[Derek & Jacqui]

We have two kids,
They would'nt leave home so we did.

[John Bridge]

Maybe with all this family talk it's time to submit pictures. Everybody knows what I look like, but I don't know what you all look like. It's really not fair.

I take it back. I know what Dave G. looks like. He's got his mug posted over at the Floorbiz.com board. Have you all been over there to have a look at Dave?

I've got a better idea. I'll just bring old Dave over here.

http://www.floorguide.com/images/people/gobis-dave.gif

Okay, who's next? C'mon, c'mon.

[chip]

I know you explained it earlier, but how do you do it?

Or if any body knows how and has a current copy of the tile letter from the NTCA, I'm pictured on page 56. No big deal just the company finnally announcing that I am the new guy in South Florida.

Hopefully it won't break your computer screen, cause' the photographer went through about a dozen lenses.

Art