Can anyone suggest a good grout sealer for Sanded Epoxy?

[zootjeff]

I've been using a water based non-Voc grout sealer in the shower (Spectra lock sanded epoxy from 2010) and it seems like I keep putting on coat after coat and the epoxy sanded grout keeps sucking it up.. I'm not impressed with how long it protects even after all these coats, it also starts absorbing water again after a few showers.. I'd like a sealer that really causes the porous surface to bead water for months after I'm done..

Any thoughts? Links would be great!

Thanks,

Links to previous threads on the project:

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/...ad.php?t=88786

http://www.johnbridge.com/vbulletin/...ad.php?t=86065

[cx]

Jeff, before the sealing gurus get here I'd like you to check to be sure just what grout you have there.

Spectralock is an epoxy grout from Laticrete and requires no sealing ever, according to the manufacturer. And that would certainly be consistent with all other epoxy grouts with which I'm familiar.

The fact that your grout absorbs any sealer at all seems to indicate that it's not an epoxy grout.

[zootjeff]

No, it is Epoxy grout.. I installed 6 buckets of it myself. It looked great, and still does. But every time I take a shower the sand in it absorbs water and wicks it up. It is not stain-proof. The water collects, and then gets black mold, that bleach takes away no problem. I want a quality sealer that will actually bead water after I apply it, for more than a week...

Yes, I installed it per the textbook. No I did not add anything or change the mixture or use any water for anything other than cleanup after initial set per the instructions.. The sand is still sand, and sand is porous.. The manufacturer says bla bla bla, doesn't need sealing, but if you want to seal your stone or tile, then wait 10 days for full cure.. So, just pretend that I have some porous stone (even though I have porcelain tile) and recommend a really good sealer to me.. :-)

Thanks, Jeff

[zootjeff]

Ha, I know this is from 2004 but I'm having the same problem with the Laticrete Spectralock Sanded Epoxy Grout from 2010. It was mixed with epoxy, I used the vinegar/water cleanup as indicated per the manual textbook. But because the "sanded" portion is a "porous sand" it still wicks up water and oils and is prone to staining. I know epoxy grout is suppose to be stain-proof and all that. But marketing fluff aside, it really isn't.. Maybe some of the newer epoxy grouts or different styles don't use a "sand," but what I have does, and what the OP has probably did too.

That said, what sealer should I use? I tried the TileLab Penetrating sealer, but it seems way to wimpy. I'm reading that maybe the 511 stuff would be good?

[cx]

Jeff, I've combined your post on that ten-year-old thread about a different kind of grout here. Posting the same question in multiple places will result only in confusion and duplication of effort on the part of our regular helpers.

I've added links in your opening post to the previous threads about this grout project for reference.

This being a holiday weekend it might be a while before one of the right people sees this, but be patient. I've also asked our resident Laticrete rep if they're familiar with what you're describing. I've never heard of that problem with that grout. Can't even think how it could happen with that epoxy grout, with which I am familiar, and not sure what sort of sealer anyone might recommend for a grout that requires no sealer. But we'll see.

Have you continued to use the vinegar as your regular cleaner in that shower?

[zootjeff]

Here is another picture of the issue. Just took a shower, you can see the water changes the sheen. Notice the closeup, the water is wicked into the grout. The sand has absorbed water. The Epoxy resin is no match for the sand, or has worn off enough to expose the sand or whatever. Don't argue with me about that, I get it.. The water based sealer I used is ineffective. I've seen concrete jobs that have a shiny sealer that cause the concrete to totally bead water for months. Can't I have something like that?

[zootjeff]

Thanks for the Links CX, and I will be patient. Thanks for your help thus far!! I use a bleach based tile cleaner.. I haven't really used vinegar for cleaning the tile in the shower for a while because life happens and normally I just wait until the black mold shows up and take the bleach to it. But I want to slow the process with a sealer..

[Danielle@LATICRETE]

Hi Jeff,

I’m sorry for the inconvenience you’ve encountered. I’m going to have to reach out to my Technical Services Department on this one as this is something I personally haven’t seen before. Our offices were closed yesterday and today because of the Thanksgiving holiday so I will not hear back from them until Monday. Sorry for the wait, but I just wanted to let you know that I have seen your post and I’m working on it.

Thanks!
Danielle

[Higher Standard Tile]

Why the need to see the water beading? Has the grout stained?

Even the best penetrating sealers don't bead water forever but they are still doing their job. The purpose of a sealer is to make it easier to keep the grout clean (time in a bottle), and epoxy grout without sealer is still easier to keep clean that normal grout with the best sealer.

[Stone Dude]

Water beading is not really an indicator of anything. If you're using that to determine whether or not the grout is sealed, you're quest will never end. All sealers bead after they are applied, doesn't mean they always will, even if they are still intact.

I don't think I get what the problem is.

[Danielle@LATICRETE]

Hi Jeff,

If you need further assistance with this our Tech Service team recommends you give them a call. They are going to need a lot more information from you about the job and products used over the years.

You can call them at 1.800.243.4788 x235.

Best Regards,
Danielle

[doitright]

Hi Jeff

Laticrete Technical Support is the best suggestion for this one.

Please let us know what their determination is.

Something isn't adding up.

Without doing a job site visit, it's impossible for me to determine what's gone wrong.