mapei terracota keracolor grout ?please

[mrjetskey]

I have tried all methods of setting this reddish grout.I have tried longer drying times before sponging,I have tried less time than called for sponging grout.Have dried damper sponge ,dryer sponge,keeping grout damp longer.This grout is set in 3/16 width between ceramic,tiles.I have been testing inside under climate controlled conditions.No matter what I do it gets a whitish haze that appears after a 2 days.I know reddish grout looks much darker when wet but this is not the problem,it is actually getting a whittish haze.I have tried vinegar(diluted) scrubbing it to no avail.Before I tell my wife she will have to choose another color ,perhaps one of you could please help me with a tip or two,for using this terracotta color mapei keracolor grout.The grout I used on my porcelin tiles was made by texrite and it came out perfect.It was not terracota color but I had no probs.with it.I am a newbie as I only have 5 or six tile jobs .PS.The reason I tested this grout before using is someone told my wife that it would not come out right yet she loves the color so I will try to get some ideas on how to keep it from turning whitish. Thank you all so much in advance for your help!

[doitright]

Hi Marvin

I haven't used this grout, thus haven't had your problem.

I'm going to copy this thread to the advice forum, and see if we get any bites over there.

[Steven Hauser]

Hi there,

Is it just normal grout haze, or is it that the surface of the grout is white?

[Schluterman]

Try mixing the grout with distilled water. Domestic water sucks.

John Mullett Tile
Lockport NY

[mrjetskey]

it isn't just a grout haze it gets almost as light as a sand color.If you use a grout saw and take the top layer off it is the correct color ,it seems like a hard coating that is about 1/16" thick.This grout has lots of color all through it as it is a pain to clean off the tile's.The water I use to mix it is a good clean charcoal filtered drinking water .our filter is only 2 months old they usually last about 6 months.is it possible that it is a mineral in the water that is causing this,it almost looks like calcium build up on the grout.I havent had problems with the other tile jobs in my home,yet I used a sand color,and antique white,so it never showed up in those colors or wasnt noticeable.Could the grout have been made wrong at factory or could it have been too old.I don't know how long it sat at HD before I bought it.I know I will never pick a color tile that needs a terracotta grout again.I expected it to be the color that it looks dry before you add water.I know it gets way darker when it is mixed and wet before it drys.and I am taking that into consideration,thanks for your help I will try distilled water.