Epoxy grout. Timescale.

[FreeD]

Ok I've got to tile a Chinese restaurant for a China man. I may have to epoxy the lot. Never used the stuff before, got to price it up. Apprx 8m2 of tiling. 2mm grout lines, tile size 250 x 330.

I am slow at grouting compared to you guys who grout all the time, how long do you think it will take me to do 8m2 of epoxy including full clean down?
,

 

[DHTiling]

Couple hrs ...

 

[FreeD]

I would have thought it would take me that long with normal grout m8

 

[Gazzer]

As Dave says about 2 hours but we dont know your ability, If it would take you 2 hours with normal grout then it will probably take you about 5 hours with Epoxy....also it would depend on the Epoxy being used.

 

[Mike Mike]

If you add on the bottom of your invoice the following then you will be my hero for ever:

"YOU ORDER FOOD, YOU PAY FOR IIIIIIIIIIT!"

 

[FreeD]

lol ok Mike i'll add that on.

I'll allow half a day for 2 people...hoping to get some free food while working, hopefully no cat or dog stew

 

[dave l and l]

put it through as days labour. if you get it done earlier all the better.

 

[Alan.P]

Is there going to be 2 of you doing it ? if so it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours, honestly, epoxy nowadays isn't like it used to be, what brand are you going to be using ?

 

[Tony73]

i'd say 4 hours as apoxy grout is much harder to do then normal grout, you can't do more than 2 sq.m at time

 

[FreeD]

Kerapoxy 3mm groutlines!

 

[Alan.P]

Kerapoxy 3mm groutlines!

That's good gear to use, make sure the tubs are kept warm prior to use as it makes it a lot easier to use, iirc the coverage out of a tub isn't great, but we had 5mm joints, you'll need lots of clean water, a few pads and sponges, it really won't be a bad job, good luck, just use one tub at a time,both apply it and both wash off, you'll have it done in no time, the last job I used it on we had about 50m2 on the ceiling alone, mid June in the heat, ouch, some pictures in my albums under Chiswick house,

 

[Alan.P]

i'd say 4 hours as apoxy grout is much harder to do then normal grout, you can't do more than 2 sq.m at time

Why's that ?

 

[Tony73]

Hello... becouse if you done this many times it's easy for you , but if some never did apoxy it's -hell

 

[NZ_Tiler]

If you spread to much epoxy and don't wash it off in time, it will go hard on the tile making it near impossible to wash off. It will also go off in the bucket if you mix more then you can spread in a short amount of time. Scales are a good precise way to half the tubs. This way you are working with fresh grout, easier to spread and wash off, and no waste from it going off in the bucket. Use plenty of fresh water with emulsifying pads then a wash with clean sponges. Have fun!:smilewinkgrin:

 

[Alan.P]

Hello... becouse if you done this many times it's easy for you , but if some never did apoxy it's -hell

Hello lmao, how old, anyway, I only asked because you said you can't do more than 2m2 at a time, just wondering what your thinking was, it does all depend on experience, confidence etc but anyone and I do mean anyone should be able to do a tub at a time.

 

[Tony73]

Freed have never used apoxy before, so i think he should start with small areas.

 

[Rizzle from the Portizzle]

i would not recomend any use epoxy grout unless you can work with some one who as used this sevral times we all have to learn if epoxy goes wrong it realy goes wrong get someone to help you if you make no money you can learn a lot .ps. nee how mar,hello.shee shee.thank you.there the lesson ends

 

[FreeD]

Great advice NZ was just about to ask that question about mixing up small amounts!

 

[Gazzer]

You may find that a hard rubber grout float will help too.

 

[nudge]

Kerapoxy 3mm groutlines!

unfortunately you will not have 5 hours pot life with this product - ( about 1.5 ) but honestly it is so easy to use i could get a 12 y.o. boy scout to grout 8m2 in 2 hours with it. Just get someone like the Mapei rep or in store tecni to show you what to do 1st.

The correct tools for application & cleanup are the key !

cheers

 

[astute1]

I have done a lot of epoxy over the last couple of years and wish to share a secret that has made this process almost as easy as cement based grout.

This is the use of a product called Epex-wash. This is a German product based out of Stuttgart. A tiler down here in NZ imports it after he discovered it over your way.

A cap full of this in your (warm )clean up water will allow the epoxy to come off the tiles a thousand times easier. then when you wash your pads and sponges in the bucket for your next wipe the epoxy comes out of your pads and sponges and into the bottem of the bucket. It really is brilliant. I woundnt to epoxy with out it. Its costly down here, about $100 nz for a litre, but as your only using a couple or three cap fulls per job its not to bad.


Also when you apply it to your epoxy on the tile it slows up the rate of hardening. So we go 2.5 kgs at a time, get it applied then get some water on with the epex in it, then you can take a little more time in the removal and ensuring your grout is looking as good as you can.

 

[nudge]

hi "astute1"
i just read the M.S.D.S. on that product on the web & am a now sure that the Christchurch earth quakes were caused by some body smoking near by this product !!!! -- seriously though always check to see what your using - - this stuff is unbelievably hazodous in so many different ways it just could not be recomended to anyone - try white scourers by 3M with plenty of water, ( don't be scared ) and use a old wet towel, laid flat & dragged low for initial clean and or Laticrete Eporip or Mapei Kerapoxy cleaner ( NEW ) for any final wash - remember there will almost certainly be a clear residue that must be cleaned off the next day with a scrubb & an alcaline cleaner as well.

Cheers & good health Bro !

 

[White Room]

http://www.tilersforums.com/tile-ad...e-preparation/51449-guide-epoxy-grouting.html

 

[kiwi Mark]

Was talking with the Kerakol rep a couple of weeks ago there is an epoxy grout they are bringing out that they have patented that is just like using normal grout , watched the video looked the business wont stain or lose colour may already be out

 

[MTiler]

Acetone will clean up your tools and any excess epoxy that hasnt dried. Any dried epoxy you want to clean up just use a heat gun to soften it. Always wear Nitrile gloves as you may be sensitive to it, as I am and have had bad reactions to it. If you have any cuts on hands/arms keep them covered.
If theres two of you just have one person applying it while the other follows cleaning it off with warm water if you can. If the room youre in is warm it goes off very quick, again acetone will clean it.
Its the grout of the devil lol. Have fun.

missyT

 

[SR Tiling]

Try to avoid mixing with a power mixer as it speeds up the setting process of the product, and dont turn up with juse a grout float and a sponge. Have your water, sponges and pads all ready to go before you mix and always cover yourself. Iv had a couple of trips to hospital with a skin condition brought on by epoxy.

 

[SR Tiling]

Try to avoid mixing with a power mixer as it speeds up the setting process of the product, and dont turn up with just a grout float and a sponge. Have your water, sponges and pads all ready to go before you mix and always cover yourself. Iv had a couple of trips to hospital with a skin condition brought on by epoxy.

 

[nudge]

please do not use acetone - it is highly flammable - (definately not in conjunction with "heat gun") learn how to use epoxy properly so you don't stuff up in the 1st place !

 

[bugs183]

You must be well scared of epoxy after reading this!!!!!
Does the job really need it???
Whatever you do if your grouting walls go from the bottom up, as the water will run into the joints and the epoxy will not stick (ironic for epoxy), and roll out. Again with floors, don't get the ungrouted joints wet.
Emulsifying pads are a must, Trade tiler sells them cheap. Cut them in half and they will last longer and not spread water everywhere.