Leon's Master Bath Remodel

[lyonkster]

Oh, that does not sound like fun at all, Paul. Did you try just one batch or several, I'm just wondering if you got a bad batch?

If I went with ColorRite, which one would you recommend for use in the shower, they seem to have several 100% RTV silicone caulks - PolySil, ColorSil, or Grout Caulk?

[Houston Remodeler]

I have no experience with the RTV. I know any of the 100% silicones will work just fine.

I tried several batches of the EM. It was not working for me.

[lyonkster]

OK, I think I answered my own question. PolySil is for solid surfaces, granite, etc. Don't need that. ColorSiland Grout Caulk are apparently the same thing, and are colormatched to most common grout colors. So I might give that a shot.

They told me that their sealants come in shiny and satin finishes, would the satin finish be more appropriate to match cement based grout?

[lyonkster]

Oh, thanks Paul, we posted at the same time. I'll go with the Colorsil in that case - satin or shiny?

[Houston Remodeler]

After a week of use I doubt anyone can tell the difference between sanded matte and sanded gloss

[lyonkster]

That makes sense .

[Ceci]

Leon, the Color Sil also comes in a sanded version. Supposedly 40% less shiny and the satin is supposedly 60% less shiny. I just ordered the satin since it is also going into some areas which will not be getting much abuse so the shine may stick around and I for sure don't like the shine of regular silicone caulk so anything to help with that I am for it. According to my last conversation with Color Rite, they use "glass beads" to somehow get the less shiny effect.

Ceci

[Hammy]

Paul, what brand of un-sanded caulk were you using?

Hammy

[lyonkster]

Ceci, thanks, that's the same info as I got from Color Rite folks. I also want to go with the satin, because I don't have shiny grout, so why have shiny caulk . Did you find that their color match was pretty good to the grout? I'll be using the unsanded version, since my grout is unsanded.

Hammy, Paul was referring to his experience with the Earthmaster brand unsanded caulk.

[Ceci]

Originally Posted by Leon

Ceci, thanks, that's the same info as I got from Color Rite folks. I also want to go with the satin, because I don't have shiny grout, so why have shiny caulk . Did you find that their color match was pretty good to the grout? I'll be using the unsanded version, since my grout is unsanded.

I just ordered it today so won't have it till about Tuesday.

The way I finally understood it, may be wrong, the Color Sil's satin only comes in unsanded(think that is where the "glass beads" come in), then the other option is the sanded Color Sil which got me very confused since the first time I called, the woman said they say it is only 40% less shiney than regular silicone caulk, but really since it's sanded it is greater than 40% less shiny. I just gave up trying to figure that one out and went with satin since would think, could be wrong, adding sand would possibly contribute more to dirty looking caulk eventually. I'm not super into cleaning. Am going with light pewter color caulk for the wall and some other joints so that is going to end up being a pretty light color, but seems less risky color matching wise than the other Latasil ones I have already put on. We'll see.

I hope their caulk match to the grout color is better than Latitcrete's matching with their Latasil since those are awful matches. Maybe the awful has to do with the color tile one puts it against, don't really know.

Ceci

[lyonkster]

Thanks Ceci, I'm ordering the unsanded satin also.. Looks like we'll be guinea pigs together, although I have yet to grout so you will be ahead of me.. Let me know how it goes!

[Hammy]

Hammy, Paul was referring to his experience with the Earthmaster brand unsanded caulk.
__________________
Leon

Leon, just an FYI. EARTH MASTER does not make grout. They only supply the base ( silicone )for the grout. With their method, they supply the silicone and you mix your dry grout with it.
Doesn't matter if you use sanded or unsanded. I have used it on many occasions.
I have had very good results with it except when used with LATICRETE PERMA COLOR. The PERMA COLOR as an igredient in it that causes EARTH MASTER to flash off VERY quickly.

Hammy

[lyonkster]

Hammy, thanks, I understand that Earthmaster supplies just the silicone, and I would be adding the grout, either sanded or unsanded. But it sounds like Paul has had bad experiences when trying to mix in unsanded grout, which is what I would be using. So I'm a little apprehensive based on his comments.

Have you used their caulk with unsanded grout, and if so what are your impressions?

[Hammy]

I have used it with both types of grout with good results.

Hammy

[lyonkster]

Possible grout disaster in the works here, would appreciate some thoughts.

I grouted the walls today, just finished doing the first rinse. I aimed to get the grout even with the tile's microbevel, but I think the grooves ended up being too deep.



1. Should the grout level be closer to the tile's surface?

2. If so, do I need to remove all the grout and regrout from scratch?

3. Can I add some more grout to the existing grout, and if so, when (today, tomorrow, etc)?