Anyone used Aquamix grout colourant???

[Grace'sDad]

I have hit a brick wall with my latest job. It's all going sour.
To cut it short - I used BAL Microcolour wide joint grout on the floor - 3sqm of 25x25 white ceramic mosaics (totally awful quality but that's another story - Thanks Topps!)

The "Brilliant White" microlour had a 1:1 GT1 admix as per BAL's instructions.
Unfortunately the brilliant white turned out to be more of a washed-out grey. I don't want to get into a BAL slagging-off thread here. What I really need to know is will Aquamix grout colourant give my customer brillant white grout? If she doesn't get what she wants - I aint getting paid and after all the work I've put in so far I think I will end up crying! (No, really!)

Have you used it? What's it like? Does it do what it claims? Does it look professional or like a nasty DIY job? How long to do 3sqm of mosaic floor joints? How much will I need? Can I get it anywhere other than Trades Direct?

Thanks again!

 

[White Room]

I'de pm tiling logistics (Kev) he tends to use a lot of Aqua mix mate

 

[Sully]

Yes, it does exactly what it says on the tin. I've used it several times as opposed to talking about it. There's a lot of grout there and I think you might need two coats as on the first clean down you may lift some lose residue when working with mosaics. I'd definitely have two bottles on tap. Suppliers - google it!

 

[Rob Z]

We have used AM grout colorant approximately a dozen times with mixed results.

I would use it again if I really had to, but...... :veryangry:

 

[Grace'sDad]

We have used AM grout colorant approximately a dozen times with mixed results.

I would use it again if I really had to, but...... :veryangry:

Why the "but"???

 

[a1tiler]

i have used it too and i got good results, customer was very happy anyway :santa_cheesy:

 

[TilingLogistics]

Aqua Mix Grout Colourant gives brilliant results each and every time provided the grout is clean and you follow the directions. The issues with it are you are essentially painting the grout with an epoxy paint and like any other paint it will highlight any imperfections in the original grouting. Now on to the colours, there are four whites available Linen White, Antique White, White and Pure White. The last one being put your sunglasses on job. I would make sure its the one you want the colour White dries about the same as white grout the pure white is bright. I can give you a contact to buy it . PM me or e mail me if you want the number

Kev

 

[Rob Z]

GD,

Sorry, I got distracted and never finished last night. The problems that we have had, and friend of mine who is a tile setter has experienced the same problems, is that the epoxy colorant needs to dwell long enough on the grout start to bond or stick, but not too long or it will be impossible to clean off the excess. We've only used it on mosaics and other small tiles where painting it on with a brush is not an option, and instead have installed it using the "squeegie" method taught to us by the Aqua Mix rep.

When using a scotch brite pad and water to clean the excess, after sufficient dwell time, what we find is that the colorant either releases off of the grout in a non-uniform way, or it sticks so tenaciously to the tile and grout that it is a lot of work to get clean up and stay only in the joints and come off the tile.

My friend Terry and I have used it on jobs where the grout was new, and the homeowner merely wanted a new color. We have also gone over existing installations and thoroughly cleaned the tile and grout with Aqua Mix cleaning products as a prep for the epoxy colorant.

It's interesting to hear that all of you are having good results with this product. How are you all applying the material? I have been doing it the way the Aqua Mix rep showed us, but maybe there is another method that works better.

 

[Grace'sDad]

thanks Rob, I really need more info from people like this.
I need to do mosaics and it a grudge job: i.e I dont want to do it!
She's going to withhold £450 if its not right, but in all honesty, I am sick of being there and if it's going to take more than one more day to "resolve" then I am prepared to walk away and cut the loss. I need to be working and earning - not working and working!

I'm just trying to get a concensus of opinion and experiences here - up to now I'm still unsure!

 

[a1tiler]

it really is a great product, and as i said before i got really good results, having said that i`m not sure i would be happy using it on mosaic i can imagine it being fairly tricky and time consuming.