Pre-Mixed Grout… (201 - Crystal Moon)

I rarely ever write reviews but I thought this might help out someone considering this product. 30+ year contractor with vast hands on experience. The results are impressive but the labor required is quite excessive. If you have little to no experience with grouting, then do NOT buy this product. It will overrun you and the frustration might shorten your life span. If you are confident, then I have some tips that will provide excellent results. First, the manufacturer recommends only 5 minute working time before clean up. I think it is closer to three and the working area should not exceed about 4 square feet. I was grouting 4 x 10 decorative glass subway tiles with uneven top surfaces. My grout spacing was 3/16" and the required amount of clean up water for a 2ft by 2ft section was between 12-15 gallons. This grout is an acrylic (glue) based grout and dries by contact with air. So, as soon as grouting begins, the product is already drying. Do not recommend large grout float. I used a grout bag to fill in the joints, then a 2 inch float was diagonally used to pack and remove excess grout. Then immediate cleaning and I mean right away. Regular grout sponge and one sided microfiber sponge needed. I had no hazing or picture framing on the tiles with this approach. Also, if you wait about two hours then can use lacquer thinner on the tiles to remove any smudges present. Just use a microfiber towel and stay away from the grout. In fact, the grout was fully dry in about 4 hours but needs a day to cure. As I stated in the beginning, the results are impressive but the labor is excessive. I used this grout in my own residence but I doubt if many customers would pay the labor to have installed. I hope this helps someone out.

Grout was dried out on topHad to pick off the dried layer to get to useable grout. Really expensive to have to waste some of it. Grout isn’t as sparkly as shown in Mapei ads.

Unless you have an installer virtuoso, don’t touch or come close to this grout! My guy is pretty good, but guys he still can’t afford grouting a square foot of tile, then stopping, cleaning up access without taking off fresh grout! Like, seriously! The hazy film this grout creates happens REALLY quickly and its almost impossible to take it off. I called Mopei, followed their instructions- clean cloth and Windex- nothing happened. Then ran to buy a Mopei special haze remover- nothing! And we are talking after 24 hours only! Of course, we were trying to take the haze off right away, but it removes the grout!!! So had no choice but to wait 24 hours. Today we went through hell trying to remove it all possible and impossible ways, and its better but still not perfect. Its a horror story. Stay away!