Well-spaced tiles, with gaps under a quarter of an inch, then the entire mosaic (estimated to be 18”x 18”) can be covered with 2 pounds of grout. For gaps between mosaic tiles that are greater than an eighth of an inch, you might have to consider grouting it with a grout that contains sand. Sand helps to reinforce the grout and assist it in being resistant to cracking.
Use latex gloves for mosaic made up of smooth tiles. For tiles with sharper edges, wear rubber gloves which are less prone to tearing than latex gloves as you spread your grout around.
If you are colouring your grout by dyeing it, there are mineral concrete dyes sold in building material stores in a limited range of colors, such as black, brown, gray, terracotta, etc. Alternatives to adding dye to your grout as you mix it include utilizing food coloring and acrylic paint. Add the dyes to your grout as you mix it.
Continue to add paint in equal amounts until the grout appears slightly darker than the shade you desire your grout to be. As the mixture dries, your grout colour will appear lighter. An alternate method of colouring grout would is using store-bought colour mix (dried grout colouring). Use two containers of colour mix (of the same colour) and add it to your grout. [6] X Research source Mix the grout for two minutes, allow it to set for 10 minutes, and then mix it again for an additional minute.
Inspect the mosaic and make sure that the cracks between the mosaic tiles are completely filled by grout. Run your fingers along the cracks to push grout down and secure it in the spaces even further. As you inspect, there shouldn’t be any bubbles between the grout and wood.
A thin grout of haze will be left over even after the excess grout has been cleaned off. Allow it to dry for a few minutes to make the thin layer easier to see and to clean. Give the mosaic project one last wipe using a clean paper towel or a dry rag. The last layer of excess grout should be lifted at this point. Wrap a rag or a paper towel around your finger and remove any grout that appears built up on any tiles on the surface area of the mosaic piece. Finished grout needs to be flush against the tiles themselves or slightly lower than the height of the tiles around it.
Use a degreaser to clean your grout. Spray the degreaser along the grout lines. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes and then start scrubbing it with a toothbrush. Wipe the gunk removed between tiles up with a paper towel. Repeat as needed until the grout is as clean as you need it to be. When it’s done being cleaned, allow the grout to sit overnight in order to dry completely.
Make a thin line in the middle of the tile lines and work in smaller areas of 6” at a time. Small areas are ideal because of how fast colorants tend to dry and applying the colorant a little at a time will ensure that you are able to distribute the colorant evenly before it dries. Use a cotton swab to work the colorant into the tile lines evenly. If any excess gets on the tile itself, clean it up quickly with a paper towel.
White grout can appear very harsh as it will draw the eye to the gaps rather than the coloured tiles. However, it can be a complement to lighter tones so it is very good for showing off pale mosaics. And when used with strong bright colours, it will produce a Mediterranean feel. Grey grout enhances most coloured tesserae and has the most unifying effect of all the coloured grouts. Dark grout unifies darker coloured tesserae and segregates lighter ones.
For example, gray grout should not be used with a gray tile. Use a red-brown terra cotta grout for gray tile instead. [12] X Research source Avoid matching colours and gravitate towards contrasting colours.
