Bathroom 3 renovation

[rjwz2]

Okay, I'm having a hell of a time trying to lay the 12x12 "sheets" of pebble tiles down! They keep flopping around and I can can't line them up and set them down without getting thinset all over them and coming up through the spaces. How do you do this?

thanks.

[Houston Remodeler]

Rob,

Set the next sheet onto a 12x12 piece of cardboard (maybe slightly larger) > thinset the area > Lift the cardboard and pebbles > Position as desired > Slide the pebbles off the cardboard as though sliding a pizza into the oven.

[rjwz2]

thanks for the idea Paul. Do you think a piece of clear acrylic like plexiglass would be better because I could see exactly where I would be placing it?

[Houston Remodeler]

whatever works. cardboard is cheaper and you're only lining up the edges you can see.

[rjwz2]

Paul, I got a piece of scrap Plexiglass and it worked great as I could see through it when lining everything up.

Dana, Davy and Steve from the other thread thanks for the tips on mixing the Spectralock grout. Any other tips on mixing, measuring and Weighing? I'm using a scale and I guess I need to get some containers and measuring cups? Should I go with grams or ounces?

Mahalo!

[Actuary]

Here's an article demonstrating how to split Spectralock Pro Premium grout.

http://floorelf.com/working-with-spe...-premium-grout

Using the smallest division yields a more accurate measure. Use grams.

[rjwz2]

Great link Michael. I will follow his steps.

Thanks a lot!

Dana, what kind of workable time frame do you think I have before it will get difficult to work with?

Mahalo.

[dhagin]

Too many variables to answer that one. Whatever the instructions say is in the ballpark. Keep it as cool as possible, limit breezes, and have everything staged and ready for the whole job, eg water, sponges, micro fiber towels, more water, etc... Get a helper for the job too, they can clean sponges, get water, clean float, etc... it's well worth it.

[Davy]

I picked up some epoxy grout one very cool morning. It was around 30-35 outside. I left the grout in the back of the truck on my way to the job and started grouting when we got there. The house/floor was warm and with the grout being so cold, it wanted to set up fast on the face of the tiles and not set at all in the joints. I had a hard time cleaning the tiles and keeping the joints full. Kinda like the single component grouts act. I learned to let the grout get to room temperature before starting.

[rjwz2]

Thanks for the heads up Davy!

[rjwz2]

What is the best way to remove small areas of thinset that has dried in between the tiles in the grouting area before I grout? Btw, I do have a dremel if that is good.

Thanks

[Davy]

Depends how big the chunks of thinset we're talking about. If they are pea size then it might take a dremmel to remove them as long as you don't scratch the tiles. Sometimes a wet sponge or scrub brush will remove small amounts of thinset. It's much easier to remove as you are tiling. I'm sure you realize that now.

[rjwz2]

Thanks Davy, yes I do now! Ha ha. It's just the places I missed cleaning up initially.

[rjwz2]

Do I need a special grout float if I will be using Spectralock on my porcelain wall tiles and pebble floor? Any particular brand? What is the reason for this?

Thanks.

[rjwz2]

Also, because this is my first time using Spectralock I'm going to divide my full unit into 4 portions. I learned how to divide it up from that great tutorial that Actuary posted from the Floor Elf. But how do I divide up the cleaning solution as it says in the instructions to change the water when needed. You supposed pour a packet into 2 agallons of water. If I divide it up to make it the same "strength" I'll get only half a gallon of water to use in each portion. What do you guys usually do?

Thanks again.