Backsplash done(ish) - but with grout fail? (PsIP)

[kaylie]

So I started this morning using the Bondera mat and finished by 6:30pm. For the grout, I went with the Spectralock epoxy in Smoke Gray:



Now that part looks okay, but the epoxy was really hard to work with. FoxInFiji, I swear I followed the instructions to a tee and left out 10% of part C since I was using a small grout line but it was nearly impossible to get it into the joints with the epoxy float. I ended up using my fingers and some parts look less okay, like this one which is a bit sparse:



Can I just go back and regrout this part? And does anyone want to critique the part that I think looks okay? I've never grouted before, so maybe it all sucks and I just don't know it.

Here's how it looks in the kitchen. Sorry the picture isn't better, we're still working on lighting:

[emoflamingo]

I like the way it is looking. I have no real idea on the grout part though. I wish my H would get on board with white cabinets!

[kaylie]

Thanks Emo! It's definitely nice to be approaching the finish line. I can't wait to finish so we can relax and enjoy it!

[sierramist03]

I'm not sure about regrouting but I can see what you mean I know when we grouted my DH really used his muscle to get it There

[kellikans]

how did you like using the Bondera mat? we need to do our backsplash, and its got a lot of drywall damage and old mastic left on it from the old tile. I'm wondering if the Bondera mat might be a viable option for us...

[sunny]

no advice though I see what you mean. your kitchen is looking awesome nonetheless!!

[kaylie]

May 23, 2013 21:00:43 GMT -5 kellikans said:

how did you like using the Bondera mat? we need to do our backsplash, and its got a lot of drywall damage and old mastic left on it from the old tile. I'm wondering if the Bondera mat might be a viable option for us...

The Bondera mat was AWESOME. I've never used mastic or thinset, but I know I saved a lot of time not having to clean it out from between the tiles. I read a lot of online reviews and one of the tips I saw was to layout the outlet holes ahead of time and to cut them with a switchblade coated in Pam. That made it really easy to cut. Applying it is probably the most difficult part, and it's fairly easy as long as you have two people.  Once I had my tiles cut, laying them was a breeze.

Here are the faq's . One of the things they emphasize is that the wall has to be pretty even and level, so I think it would depend on how much damage there is. We went over bare drywall, and I put a coat of primer over the explosed joint compound before starting so it would have a nice clean surface to adhere to.

[wawa]

fox might say otherwise since she's the epoxy expert and I've never used it - but for a kitchen backsplash I'd just go ahead and grout over the missed spots again to fix them. It's not like this is an area that is going to get sustained water on it so if it doesn't have the same integrity as a continuous install it doesn't seem like it would matter that much. Your alternative is breaking out the grout from those areas (not fun. might end up damaging tiles. problem spirals) and redoing entirely.

[FoxInFiji]

It's not a fail! Yes you can go back and regrout those areas no problem. They recommend you do the next batch of grouting withing 24-48 hours of the first batch though. With epoxy the old grout will somewhat soften where you put new grout and it will all stick together nicely. We did 6 mini buckets in the main bath, one full and a mini for the master bath floor (darker color), and something like 8-9 mini buckets for the walls and backslashes of the master bath. You can't tell where any of the batches start or stop it all blends and fuses together nicely. Just make sure you keep the same amount of the part C out as you did the first go around so the color matches. Don't fear we eyeballed this for all of ours and you can't see any difference but if you forget to keep any out you will.

You did that whole kitchen in one batch?! Was it a mini bucket or more than one mixed together? The best working time with tight grout lines like that is first 15-20 minutes. Beyond that it starts to thicken up. You can still use it but it's a lot harder for tiny grout lines. Next time if you don't think you can get to all of it within that time frame put half of it in a separate container and put it in the freezer. That will nearly stop the hardening process and it will be like new when you take it out and unthaw it. That's what everyone recommends you do with the big full or commercial buckets because unless you have a big crew of people you can't get to all of it at once.

It looks really good though! The cabinets that go to the ceiling are really nice. I like the grout color with that tile. Man those are some tiny grout lines though. They wouldn't be so hard to grout if the tiles were flat like our accent tile is. Just ask Wawa or some of the other girls on the board with beveled tile how much fun that is to grout. We used a trowel type (smaller and on a handle) epoxy float for a lot of it. The big, hard epoxy floats are pain to use in small areas. But we used our hands...along with a lot of other makeshift tools...plenty of times especially when it's starting to set up. Whatever works.

[kaylie]

Thanks Fox, that makes me feel better. Yep, that was one mini bucket so I still have one bucket left to be mixed. I had set a timer for myself so I know it took me about an hour to do the whole thing and it was definitely easier to work with when it was fresh. On the second round I think I'm just going to use my hands and leave the float out of it completely. You should have seen my face when I made my first pass with it and the grout all came off the wall in crumbles. It was definitely an "oh crap" moment. The lines are very tight though. I didn't use spacers, just the built in nubs that keep them at 1/16'' inch.

Alright, I'm going to go back and "patch" the lines tonight. I used a scale to measure out the 10% last night, so I should be able to get the mixture fairly close.