08-10-2007, 02:15 PM
Hi Brian, you and I seem to be soul mates when it comes to tile work. We'll have to actually meet some day.
You never want to mistcure tinted grout. That dissolves or thins the tint and makes the grout color inconsistant. Tinted grout should be left to cure on it's own - three days is about right indoors. Outdoors, the job should be covered with plastic sheeting.
Not sure why you sealed the tile prior to grouting. Most tiles don't actually need to be sealed, it's the grout that requires protection. Ofcourse, any tiles or stone not glazed would need to be sealed.
I've had good luck going back over damaged or poorly applied grout lines, even after sealing. If a consistant grout color is an important componant of this job, get yourself a grout saw and shave off a bit of the top of these grout lines, and re-grout the job. Not a huge deal, really. The sooner the better because grout is like cement and actually takes a very long time to completely cure. Protect your work from the elements for about three days, brush clean with vinegar and water and let set for three more days, then seal it, wait 20 minutes, and seal it again. You'll end up with a surface that has a waxy finish to it, but that can be scrubbed off and will go away a bit each time you clean it. Good luck, have fun.
You never want to mistcure tinted grout. That dissolves or thins the tint and makes the grout color inconsistant. Tinted grout should be left to cure on it's own - three days is about right indoors. Outdoors, the job should be covered with plastic sheeting.
Not sure why you sealed the tile prior to grouting. Most tiles don't actually need to be sealed, it's the grout that requires protection. Ofcourse, any tiles or stone not glazed would need to be sealed.
I've had good luck going back over damaged or poorly applied grout lines, even after sealing. If a consistant grout color is an important componant of this job, get yourself a grout saw and shave off a bit of the top of these grout lines, and re-grout the job. Not a huge deal, really. The sooner the better because grout is like cement and actually takes a very long time to completely cure. Protect your work from the elements for about three days, brush clean with vinegar and water and let set for three more days, then seal it, wait 20 minutes, and seal it again. You'll end up with a surface that has a waxy finish to it, but that can be scrubbed off and will go away a bit each time you clean it. Good luck, have fun.