Grouting disaster

[Richieduliban87]

I tried to follow manufacturers instructions but the grout wouldn’t sponge off easily and now there is grout still stuck on all the porcelain tiles after two hours of effort scraping them off. Does anyone know a good way to remove the grout from the tiles more efficiently?

 

[dontbelieveawordofit]

another 2 hours.
you mixed a bucket full of grout?
i’m sure thats not included on the instructions.
the longer you leave it the harder it will get.

you mixed too much and spent too long filling the gaps with the wrong tool.

 

[Richieduliban87]

No no, thats my water bucket trying to save the day. I only mixed 1/5 of the packet. I’ve got a professional grout float and sponge. It set waaay too fast. No idea wtf went wrong. Maybe I didnt put enough water. I’ll be calling Mapei tomorrow.

I’m finding steel wool is working well but I might pass out before I finish.

 

[Nozzle]

Brick acid? Could damage your tile surface, but....

Nozzle

 

[JaimieH]

Bloody hell! You'll have arms like Popeye when you're done scrubbing them. I'd try cleaning using a white emulsifying pad first and you'll probably get through quite a few of them. It's going to be time consuming but scrubbing would be preferable to using a grout residue remover, just because I wouldn't want to risk damaging the tray, although you may have to go down this route if no luck scrubbing. See what Mapei recommend in the way of grout residue removers.

 

[Richieduliban87]

I managed to scrub all the excess with steel wool after 5 hours but the grout lines are not so professional looking but will have to make do.

Mapei said I probably made an error in mixing.

 

[lostinthelight]

I don't take chances with with mixing and weigh the water and powder.

 

[johnny2007]

Although not very good at tiling, I found to be very good at grouting to the point that I was called by friend tradesmen to do it for them, so
1. They could let the tiles set properly overnight
2. I would be removing the spacers
3. They could be at another full job instead of wasting a couple of hours

My trick (and surely that of many others) is timing.
I mix the grout by heart in a creamy consistency, whippy ice cream like.
Apply very quickly and sponge off middle of tiles as i go.
Wait for the magic moment when you can rub a dump sponge and finish the lines.
Grout must be hard enough to stay put but not too hard to having to rub more than 4/5 times across to remove excess.
Finish off by sponging lightly.
An hour later (or next day) a dry kitchen towel will polish the tiles in a few minutes.
Hope this helps.