1st round of sealing grout question

[smithbros]

Hi,

I have just sealed one coat my grout (floor & tub surround, still have ceiling in shower to do)) Polyblend sanded with 511 Impregnator, and I have a few questions? The bottle says to let it sit for 3-5 minutes then wipe, but when I put it on (with a kids paint brush) it never puddled, it just soaked right in. How many coats do I use or how do I know I put enough on? Also is it OK to switch brand of sealer to a sealer/enhancer, will the enhancer have any effect since [I] already sealed it once. I tried to find Stone Tec or Aquamix sealers at some local tile stores only one I found was 511. I was thinking of ordering on line the enhancing sealer. Thanks for any and all help as the tile people around here don't know much.

Joe

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[Davestone]

Joe if you seal before the enhancer it can't soak in and won't do much.Also i wouldn't enahnce the grout unless you just want it dark and splotchy.
Now the way to sea is to keep reapplying the sealer till it no longer is absorbed,then let let sit a minute and wipe off with a dry rag.

[SABoyt]

I second what Dave said. Switching Brands is a bad idea and switching types within the same brand can be also. Many of the sealers from the same company are not compatible. Miracle would have to answer that question about a specific compatible enhancer.

My opinion is that if you have already used the miracle 511, some of the grout may be totally sealed and some not - this will produce the uneven look Dave mentioned - bad idea.

[smithbros]

Thanks for responding. I will continue to use the 511, but how will I know if it has worked, until the sealer no longer soaks into the grout? Also what is the best way to seal the tub surround, with a kids paint brush? Would you do the ceiling of the shower area? I have read to seal everything so it looks uniform, but the sealer has in no way changed color, it looks just like plain ol' grout?

[SABoyt]

Joe, a good clear sealer will show no evidence of being present. It should not change the apperance in any way. Just keep applying - per the directions - until it no longer soaks in. Remember to wipe away whatever may be left standing in the grout lines so it doesn't haze over.

For the walls, i like to use the pint bottles with the roller wheel on top. Put the sealer into the bottle, invert and roll from the bottom up - this puts the sealer directly onto the grout instead of rolling away from the grout. You can use a brush if you like, but be sure to get it applied liberally and go over each line more than once.

Forget about the sealer on the ceiling. The sealer is to protect against what might come into contact with the grout, nothing should do that on the ceiling.