Color Enhancer & Grouting

[Tumbled]

I have tumbled 18 inch unfilled travertine that I am going to use a stone enhancer/sealer on. Can I enhance/seal the tiles before grouting? (this will enable me to more easily match the color of the grout to the color of the stone without putting color enhancer on the grout). Or is it a mistake to enhance/seal the unfilled tile because the grout will not stick to the sealed stone when I fill it? (I am going to be using an unsanded grout). Thanks for the advice!

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[doitright]

Hi Tumbled, Welcome! :)

We need a first name, before we can continue. :D

I suggest grouting everything before applying the enhancer. Sometimes two applications of grout will be necessary to compensate for the grout sagging.

Do a mock up sample first (fill voids in stone, let cure, enhance). Most enhancers don't change grout color significantly.

[Davy]

I also would grout everything before sealing, I would use a sanded grout. :)

[doitright]

Hi Davy :)

:fim: :bang: Missed tumbled marble! :eek:

Yes, sanded grout (one application) is in order. :nod:

[Tumbled]

Thanks guys! Why would you use sanded versus unsanded grout? I'll be using 1/16 inch spacers and prefer the feel of the unsanded. Thanks again.
Marc

[jdm]

Unsanded grout shrinks too much to be used in spaces over 1/8" wide. For square, non-tumbled marble tiles with 1/16" grout lines this would be fine. But tumbled marble has irregular edges and rounded corners resulting in many places where the grout width exceeds 1/8". So sanded grout is the only way to go.

[doitright]

Hi Marc :)

And your grout joints need to be minimum 1/8" for sanded grout.

[Tumbled]

Thanks very much!
Marc