Hi Peter. I love your videos and your work. So many great tips, techniques and fantastic mosaics that are inspirational and very helpful. Thank you so much 🙏
I'm going to grout for the first time tomorrow! Have been doing mosaics but so afraid to attempt this last step. But I keep watch this video and I think I've summoned enough courage!
Go for it Michelle, its not really hard, some see it as a real chore however I see it as just part of the process and enjoy it. Dont grout on a hot day, cool days are best and take off as much grout as you can when you have worked it in, let it just haze over and then wipe off, you may have to allow it to haze over again and wipe again with a dry rag but you will be fine, let me know how you go. :)
Omg the spoons on the side is so cute!! I am grouting for the 1st time this weekend, your video is SUPER helpful! Love your care and attention to detail
Thanks for this. I love to make mosaics with different heights so this was helpful as I'm always worried i am doing things wrong because I mostly just wing it 😃🙃 love your videos.
Love your videos! You are the only one I've seen who mentions wearing a mask to cut dishes and tiles because of the health risks. Keep making your great videos! Love your mosaics too. You are very talented. I just finished my first mosaic and I have a lot to learn.
Thankyou so very much Pat, appreciate that. So glad you completed your first mosaic and hope you enjoyed doing it. We are always learning we never stop. 😊
Thankyou so much Jean appreciate that. Try not to be afraid of grouting it can be fun and I'm sure you will be fine with it. Thanks for watching and for your comment. :)
Thankyou so much Rachel. Its not hard I find uneven tesserae easy to do, of course a very large area takes more time and that needs to be allowed for in cleaning. Thanks for watching. :)
Just lovely. I’m afraid I made a lovely mosaic. An outrigger canoe on the ocean. Put grout on left it too long it all dried in and what a mess. I couldn’t get grout off. Sadly I had to smash the mosaic and will do a new one. Lesson. Don’t leave grout on too long before wiping off. I too loved the spoons. Your vase is stunning.
Oh Dorothy that's terrible especially after all your hard work with creating a mosaic. But you're getting back into it so that's good. Thankyou for your kind comment and for watching as well. :)
Thankyou so much Jody that’s good to hear. A lot of people are always worried about grouting Tess that’s uneven but it’s really quite easy. Thanks for watching and commenting. 😊
I love the glass grout tutorial. I am planning an external wall part mural I hope I can use this principal as the pieces will be in various areas of the wall only.
Thankyou very much Colleen, so glad the video helped. Theres a little bit more time in cleaning up uneven tess but the attention to detail in getting in there with a knitting needle or something else to take the grout off the edge of the tess and tidy the edges up makes a difference. I generally start doing that after the final rag clean up. :)
Thank you! Love seeing your videos. They are so informative and interesting. I also appreciate them since they are Aussie and it shows products I can get.
Thank you for your video. Was wondering what kind of time lapsed when you started wiping your pot to clean the grout up to a polished piece. I did hear you say at one point you were at the 10 minute mark. And then you started using that tool. Was just trying to get an idea for time to clean and perfect grout
Thankyou so much. Generally on a piece the size of the pot around 20 mins from start of first grout wipe to final cleaning, if l need to take longer that’s fine as well. Temperature does effect the time but l only grout on a cool day or in the morning. It will also depend on the grout as well. When you think you have it clean come back in 5 or 10 minutes and have another look to double check, you can give it another wipe over again with a clean rag. Thanks for watching. 😊
Your videos really are the best, Peter! I also always read the comments & your answers because I find that I pick up a lot of extra information there. For instance, I didn’t know grouting shouldn’t be done in hot weather (I live in Florida). How does the hot weather affect grouting?
Thankyou Karen so much for the support. Its not just hot weather that can effect grout its also humidity. The hot weather can force the grout to cure quicker than it should and of course drying it out quicker, this can compromise the integrity of it. Once you mix the grout and let is slake a chemical reaction then takes place, this is why you don't add any further water or additive to it after its been slaked. If you are going to grout and its going to be a warm day, grout in the morning and don't put the piece in the sun to cure quicker, I don't grout at all on a hot day. Thanks for watching and for commenting. :)
Hello---your ideas r terrific. My question: I used some Permacolor NS and What A Mess I had!!! What other kind of qrout can I use that will NOT make a mess???? tk u K
Hi Kaye. Thankyou so much. All grouts will make a mess, it really comes down to how you used it and the way you used it. Grouts do make a mess however its to the degree of mess and I haven't come across one that has been any messier than others. I suggest watching my grouting videos they may help you so you dont get into as much mess. :)
Hi, I use a toothbrush to get into those hard places when I grout. Like you I like to use different mediums in mosaics. Excellent ideas. Also can you tell us where you got the metal tool from that helps with removing excess grout to make the edges crisp? thank you. Blessed be.
Thankyou Michelle, appreciate that. A toothbrush works well, the metal tool I bought from Oz Mosaics here in Australia but you can use a metal knitting needle which is what I used to use before buying the tool in the video. Its a fairly common tool the one I was using. :)
Love the colour combination on the pot and the vase looks amazing. I have just created an outdoor mosaic table and the grout has sunk can I re grout on top? Thank you
Thankyou so much Sylvie, appreciate that. I cant speak specifically about your job but generally If ordinary sanded grout has been used and it hasn't been sealed then it can be regrouted over the top, providing that there is enough room in the grout lines. Spraying lightly with water where the regrouting needs to be done and then apply the new grout. :)
Wow I love how clean everything looks! Question..- I’m not sure I understand what did you do with the glass one? It seems like there is no grout at all at the end. Why did you grout in the first place then? Or did it became transparent? Thank you so much! 🙌🏽
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. Everything was grouted in the masked area, l choose a good shade of grey sanded grout as it was important, l was aiming for an airy open look which it achieved, keeping your grout lines also close together makes sure the grout doesn’t overshadow the piece. I didn’t have to grout but it helped to bring the piece together also as l used glass and the vase has couverture to it l would have had to grind all the edges just in case someone might cut themselves. 😊
Thankyou very much. I use Laticrete Permacolour sanded grout because its consistent in quality and is a fine grout. I have also been using epoxy grouts over the last 10 years and now I use that for most of my outdoor projects because they don't require sealing, its waterproof and its also more durable than sanded grout. However it is more expensive and fairly accurate measuring is needed but I consider the benefits outweigh the cost. The brand I use for the epoxy grout is Litokol, I consider that to be my favourite and easiest to use. They are the two grouts that I use. Thanks for watching and for commenting. :)
Your videos are always so filled with information! I am curious about one thing: you masked around the shape of the mosaic on the glass vase . . . . at what point did you remove that tape? My thought was that if one waited too long, one might have to deal with removing grouted-in tape. Many thanks!
Thankyou very much Andrea. You can remove the tape before you do the final polish of the tess or you can remove the tape just once the grout firms up a little, that way if you happen to effect the edge of the grout removing the tape, you can just push that grout edge down a little. Just go easy cleaning with the final clean after you've removed the tape so you don't disturb the grouted edge. :)
I take it you are referring to the reflective backing on mirror, you need a neutral curing adhesive, such as a silicone, however not all silicones are neutral curing so make sure the tube states that. You could also use a SMAX polymer such as Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All as it doesnt contain solvents, unlike silicones which continue to give off solvents whilst curing Also you need to ensure the grout doesn't come in contact with the backing because grout is Alkaline. I have used sanded grout without an issue, such a Laticrete Permacolour grout but you could also use LItokol Style Grout Tech which is a new grout and very smooth. Another option is an epoxy grout which works well with mirror. :)
Hi Peter! Love the content!!! I’ve learned a ton from your UA-cam posts. So I’ve been doing mosaic art for just over a year and love it… but- I have a constant problem that I’m hoping you may be able to solve: it’s about grouting. On my smaller projects the grouting comes out fantastic. My terra cotta pots and mirrors turn out great. I use particleboard, sealed and painted prior to using adhesive (usually weld bond) on the prepaid particleboard. I always use sanded grout. My problem is on my larger pieces with wider grout gaps- 1/4- 1/3” wide. I almost always have small cracks appear in the grout after drying!!! Very annoying!! These projects are on prepped particleboard. Can you give any thought on why this may be occurring? Thanks!
Hi Jeff, thankyou so much. There could be many reasons why this is happening and I can only guess, what do you mean you sealed and painted the board?. I don't use particle board as its not as condensed or as dense as MDF, being wood it can interreact with the environment that its in, only use wood inside even with sealing. The board interacting with the environment can cause your grout to crack on your larger pieces especially using particle board, you could be exceeding the manufactures recommended grout line width, the packet should have that on there. There could also be an issue with too much water or not enough water when mixing the grout or your sponge that you are wiping the board down with could be to damp adding more water to the grout. The environment that you are grouting in may be too warm. The grout may be out of date or may not have been stored correctly. There are so many variables with grout cracking however if everything else is grouting well and you are not changing anything, the board would seem to be the issue and your increased grout lines width. :)
Thankyou very much. I prefer to grout everything in one go, people do grout in sections but if I couldn't grout pieces in one go due to the size then I would get an extra pair of hands as I think this ensures consistency especially if the piece is going to be seen all at once for instance not around a corner. In most cases I use Laticrete Spectralock epoxy grout which has around an 80min work time depending on temperature, its very much different to sanded grout, more expensive and is a 3 part system but I love using it. Have a read of the technical data sheets first to see if this could be an alternative for you.
I did a kitchen back splash that used broken pottery. And it was absolutely a central that I do it in sections and not all at once there would have been absolutely no way I could have done that . I did it in about 5 different sections over the course of a few weeks. The whole entire project took me 3 months. But I was just doing a little bit here a little bit there as I felt like it. So I'm sure if I would have been working harder at it I could have done it in Maybe a month
@@KMF3 Sounds like a big project, mosaics do take a while, creating a mosaic in sections can make it a lot easier and can be a lot less daunting than trying to do it all at once. :)
@@TreasuryRoad yes plus I got all that time to enjoy it. And believe it or not this was only my second time doing any kind of tiling or mosaic. My very first project was my bathroom backsplash with glass gems, seashells and broken glass from a vase. I grouted that one using a plastic bag like a frosting bag to avoid getting grout on the shells.
Hi. I will be starting a pot soon that will have uneven tesserae. Thanks for video. Question: our home improvement store sells large bag of sanded grout. It seems a popular color is grey. Is that the one that is most practical. And if I want black add a color additive. they also sell white I want to make a few mosaic pieces. So don’t want to buy lots of supplies that might not get used. I want to get the most versatile. Also the thin mix comes in white and grey. Which one would give me the most for my $. Thanks for your opinion
A mid grey sanded grout is a popular choice with many people. However the grout is generally the cheapest part of the mosaic and it’s always wise to purchase a colour that will work best with you mosaic. Black is equally popular, l would be inclined to see if you can buy smaller quantities and that will allow you to keep a couple of colours. Grout will generally have a shelf life of 12 months and must be stored correctly so it doesn’t become compromised. Make sure when you purchase the grout that’s it’s not close to expiring especially if it’s on sale. Don’t buy your products in advance only buy them when you know you are going to be using them for a project especially when the product has a shelf life. The thinset colour is up to you just make sure it’s rated for the tessera you are using because there are different ones and for the environment it’s going into. Thanks for watching. 😊
Grout can crack for numerous reasons, if you have used unsanded when sanded would have been best, grout could be out of date, it could have been made to wet or to dry, the weather could have been to hot, an additive could have been added and it wasn’t suitable for the grout or was not the right quantity and the list goes on. :)
Thank you Peter, what should be the maximum gap for grouting? I read somewhere if it’s too big of a gap grouting may crack. My first ever mosaic recently I had wider gaps and realised too wide possibly after I grouted. Is there a general rule? Example bird bath.
Thankyou so much. Generally the packaging will have the maximum width that the grout can go to, if it hasn’t then go to the manufactures website or read their technical data sheet on it, they are informative to read. If the grout exceeded that width then you do risk the grout cracking. :)
Good question, I generally don’t change the consistency of the grout, it’s probably like smoothy peanut butter. I find grouting so much easier on a cool day, l hope this helps you and thanks for watching. 😊
Peter what gloves do you use? I'm having a hard time finding gloves that are strong and protective enough but close-fitting so they don't get in the way of "feeling" the grout as I apply it, particularly to uneven tess. I've experimented with most of Bunnings range of gloves and also surgical gloves, but can't seem to strike the right balance.
The gloves I prefer to use are the ones by Ansell, they are sold at Bunnings in the cleaning section but they are expensive when compared to the USA market. They come in a pack of 3 pairs and the price is fine if you don't go through many. If you do go through a fair few then use the affiliate link in the description box of this video and it will take you to Amazon where you can order the size you would like. Before doing that buy a packet at Bunnings first to see if you like them, they are called Chem 3. I also use the same ones when I'm using Apoxie Sculpt and I generally use them more than once. Another alternative is to use the ordinary disposable gloves but wear 2 pairs at the same time. If you are dealing with sharp crockery or glass it will still cut through them though so avoid sharp pieces. Just my thoughts. :)
Thankyou so much, yes I did cut the handles, they were small spoons and then I bent them a little with pliers to fit the curve of the pot. There are so many small spoons out there that are very cheap to buy from opshops and thrift stores. :)
Generally you would continue grouting and then clean the area of grout where the piece came out of while the grout is soft. Then add the piece back in and regrout that area once the adhesive has cured. It also depends on the adhesive you used. Thanks for watching. :)
If you are referring to the pieces I used on the garden pot they are just broken crockery and mirror glass that I cut up. If you are talking about the glass Vase, I just used crockery and stained glass cut to the shape I wanted and the others are just round glass gems which are quite common. I have had the stained glass for some time. :)
How high do i go with grout..as i have some quite low pieces to higher pieces..wish i could sent you a pic so you could critique my 1st piece as im such a beginner..
The best grout height is having it level with the tessera (the pieces you adhere down that make up the mosaic). You don't want it any higher and you don't want it much lower so aim for level the best you can. If the grout is to low then the edge of the tesserae will protrude, if you have some tesserae that is a bit buried under the grout because its lower then just clear the grout from it to expose the tessera. A good branded sanded grout is generally used in most mosaics. You can join a couple of the Facebook groups and create a post and post your photo along with any questions you may have. Facebook groups such as Mosaics Australia Wide, I am in this group most days, also Mosaic Mentoring is a good group as well. Thanks for commenting and I will see you in the groups. :) Here's a video that I made that will help you with grouting and cleaning up pieces of tesserae that are not even which I love. ua-cam.com/video/eg8gIoRZYWE/v-deo.html
Hello Peter! Once again, I'm messaging you about grouting. My first attempt was a failure but then I moved everything indoors to avoid the heat and sun of Florida and the next groutings went well. So, I thank you for that. My current project is doing a mosaic on an asymmetrical vase using broken plates. I've attached the china with E6000. But now I have no idea of what to use for grouting....what color or should I use a translucent grout? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you once again Peter Is there a way I can send you a photo of the project?
HI Michelle, thank you and I'm glad your next grouting project went well. E6000 is not a good adhesive to use on glass or mosaics or in mosaics, its quite toxic and it has been reported that it can crack the glass overt time due to the make of it. If you have used crockery in your mosaic I probably wouldn't use the Litokol translucent grout because its best used with glass to get the full benefit from it. You can use it with crockery if you want to though but it wont taking on the surrounding colour of the tess as in my videos on it. I would create a post in one of the many mosaic Facebook groups and include your photo, you will receive many different opinions on the grout colour as its really a personal choice. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much again Peter. We all learn so much from you and it is so kind of you to answer our individual questions. I will definitely stop using the E6000. What adhesive do you recommend when cementing ceramic on glass?
@@michellelalonde4918 Thankyou so much. I cant comment specifically about your project but generally speaking I would use a product like Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All, its a SMX polymer and it doesn't have any solvents, its sold in the USA by Soudal under another name but you should be able to get that from Soudal. You can also use silicone however I try and avoid using silicone where I can because they continue to give off solvents whilst curing. Silicones and Soudal can get a yellow tinge over time but if you cant see it, then it doesn't matter. I have created a video on using the Soudal if you're interested, here's the link. ua-cam.com/video/X1HYyHhBTHU/v-deo.html
Hi Genevieve. Theres a link in the video but you can go to the video showing you what I used and creating the flower pot. ua-cam.com/video/15JaG09YS7w/v-deo.html
Enjoyed your video! Two questions: I used to mosaic a lot and am only now getting back to it so I've forgotten a lot! I have some beautiful colored grouts from maybe 10 years ago. Is it still okay to use do you think? Also, I didn't see you polishing with the dry cloth. Do you just use any type of cloth for that?
Thankyou so much Chana, I would be throwing the grout out, its very cheap and you certainly don't want to compromise your mosaic. Generally sanded grout has a 12 to 18 month shelf life depending on the brand and it must also be correctly stored as well. The manufacturers ensure that if its stored correctly and used within their time frame then the grout will be at its best. Here's a video I made on storing grout so you get the best out of it. I just use any clean soft cloth that I have laying around as long as it doesn't leave remnants of cloth everywhere. :) ua-cam.com/video/p0aKCWyKdRE/v-deo.html
I’m not sure what you mean. Spectralock Pro Premium epoxy grout is a stand alone product and is meant for grouting. To ensure you’re using the correct product for the job always read the manufactures technical and msds information on the Manufactures website. 😊
Thank you Peter for updating that you now prefer epoxy grout because I was wondering if there was a reason that you did not, especially for the projects with varied. tess. Will you be doing videos showing use of epoxy grout on 3D/sculptural? I understand it can also be used as the adhesive/ mortar for small projects. I don't think that's cost wise but it's good to know in a pinch for tricky bits
"grout doesn't have any adhesive property": I think this is not generally true! Polymeric grouts are used also as mortar, because they are good adhesives too
If you add an additive to the grout or the grout containers polymers that's very true. However not all grouts do but I think you made a good point and I will clarify that better moving forward. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanks for the feedback! These types of grouts that can be used also as mortar are quite useful if a mosaic piece needs grouting with more than 1 color. It avoids having a mortar of different color that can spill in between the tiles into the grout lines. I have never tried this technique, but I have read it in other forums and on the instructions of the polymeric grouts from Mapei. I plan to use it for a mosaic that will be placed into a headstone; it should make it more resistant. I like your channel, it is very instructive!
@@jagan2 Thankyou so much appreciate that. I find I love using Laticrete Permacolour grout and Laticrete Admix this way I can have the thinset in the same colour as the grout colour that I will be grouting with, so if it gets into the grout lines it doesn't matter. When I grout I just use the Permacolour grout with water so essentially one product does two things. :)
Hi Peter. I love your videos and your work. So many great tips, techniques and fantastic mosaics that are inspirational and very helpful. Thank you so much 🙏
Thankyou very much Justine appreciate that and thankyou for watching. :)
I'm going to grout for the first time tomorrow! Have been doing mosaics but so afraid to attempt this last step. But I keep watch this video and I think I've summoned enough courage!
Go for it Michelle, its not really hard, some see it as a real chore however I see it as just part of the process and enjoy it. Dont grout on a hot day, cool days are best and take off as much grout as you can when you have worked it in, let it just haze over and then wipe off, you may have to allow it to haze over again and wipe again with a dry rag but you will be fine, let me know how you go. :)
Omg the spoons on the side is so cute!! I am grouting for the 1st time this weekend, your video is SUPER helpful! Love your care and attention to detail
Thankyou so much, I love quirky and whimsical things hence the spoons. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Beautiful work and great instructions!
Thankyou so much Barb, so glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching and appreciate the comment, 😊
I watch your videos over and over. I wish I could give you more likes. 😊
Thankyou so much, even one like helps the channel and just telling people about it also helps. Appreciate it and thankyou so much for the support. :)
Thanks for this. I love to make mosaics with different heights so this was helpful as I'm always worried i am doing things wrong because I mostly just wing it 😃🙃 love your videos.
Thankyou so much Cosmic, appreciate that. I mainly do a lot of winging in my projects as well. :)
Wonderful! Love the glass bottle! Great choice of tesserae! 💕
Thanks so much Dianne appreciate it. 😊
Thank you very much for the video. I am new to mosaics and these videos are a lifesaver 💐
Thankyou so much Elizabeth and thankyou for watching and commenting. :)
Thankyou so much for all that you teach us Peter. You are a treasure
Thankyou very much Denise, appreciate that and Thankyou for watching. 😊
Thank you for a clear explanation of grouting different types of tesserae and levels
Thankyou so much Lisa, glad you enjoyed the video and thankyou for watching. :)
These pieces came out beautiful. Thank you for your knowledge!
Thankyou so much Sue, appreciate that. :)
Love your videos! You are the only one I've seen who mentions wearing a mask to cut dishes and tiles because of the health risks. Keep making your great videos! Love your mosaics too. You are very talented. I just finished my first mosaic and I have a lot to learn.
Thankyou so very much Pat, appreciate that. So glad you completed your first mosaic and hope you enjoyed doing it. We are always learning we never stop. 😊
Excellent video; helped me become more confident about grouting. Thank you!
Thankyou so much AT, l think you will find once you start you will generally find it easier than what you think. Thanks for commenting. 😊
love your work and your tuition thanks , it’s giving me confidence to now grout my table .
Thankyou so much Jean appreciate that. Try not to be afraid of grouting it can be fun and I'm sure you will be fine with it. Thanks for watching and for your comment. :)
Great tips. Just what I needed.
That's awesome Sharon and thankyou for watching. :)
Beautiful work! I appreciate the tips. I have done mosaic off and on for a few years but I always seem to learn something new from a pro like you.
Thankyou very much Brenda appreciate it, but I'm more of an apprentice than a pro. Thanks for watching and for your comment. :)
Great tip on the combo of cloth and pick! Thanks!
thanks heaps Kathy, appreciate that. :)
Thank you, Peter. This video is really helpful.
My pleasure, thankyou for watching. :)
I love your videos. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise.
Thankyou so much Ladan. 😊
So easy to follow! Can’t wait to get started ❤
Thankyou so much Rachel. Its not hard I find uneven tesserae easy to do, of course a very large area takes more time and that needs to be allowed for in cleaning. Thanks for watching. :)
Thanks, Peter. A great tutorial : ) and very helpful for my new project.
Thankyou very much and so glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting. 😊
Just lovely. I’m afraid I made a lovely mosaic. An outrigger canoe on the ocean. Put grout on left it too long it all dried in and what a mess. I couldn’t get grout off. Sadly I had to smash the mosaic and will do a new one. Lesson. Don’t leave grout on too long before wiping off.
I too loved the spoons. Your vase is stunning.
Oh Dorothy that's terrible especially after all your hard work with creating a mosaic. But you're getting back into it so that's good. Thankyou for your kind comment and for watching as well. :)
This video was really helpful. Definitely feel more confident grouting my next piece now! Thank you 😊
Thankyou so glad it helped you, grouting uneven pieces isn't difficult, it just looks that way, thanks for watching. :)
Thank you Peter for your expertise and teaching. You are very inspirational.
Thankyou so much Jennifer, very kind. :)
Excellent. Thank you Peter.
Thanks so much Sara, appreciate that. :)
Thanx heaps for your information..really helped me as im doing my 1st piece and being adventurous with heights..😊😊
Thankyou so much Jody that’s good to hear. A lot of people are always worried about grouting Tess that’s uneven but it’s really quite easy. Thanks for watching and commenting. 😊
I love the glass grout tutorial. I am planning an external wall part mural I hope I can use this principal as the pieces will be in various areas of the wall only.
Thankyou very much. Generally speaking grouting various thicknesses in a mosaic shouldn't create too much extra work. :)
Love the vase!
Thankyou so much Clara and thankyou for watching. :)
Thanks Peter, really enjoyed this as it is something I struggle with
Colleen
Thankyou very much Colleen, so glad the video helped. Theres a little bit more time in cleaning up uneven tess but the attention to detail in getting in there with a knitting needle or something else to take the grout off the edge of the tess and tidy the edges up makes a difference. I generally start doing that after the final rag clean up. :)
Very good hints, on uneven tesserae.
Thankyou so much Patricia, appreciate that. :)
I am very inspired! Thank you for your great video.
Thankyou so much appreciate that and thankyou for watching. :)
Loved seeing this video and techniques. I do love textured glass and that is a cool way to clean it. Thank you. Fun!
Thankyou very much Sunshine. :)
pot is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Thankyou so much Ann and thankyou for watching and for the comment. :)
wow! so professional! thanks Peter!
Thanks so much Cinde and thanks for watching it. :)
This was incredibly helpful thank you
Thankyou so much, appreciate that. 😊
Thank you! Love seeing your videos. They are so informative and interesting. I also appreciate them since they are Aussie and it shows products I can get.
Thankyou so much Janelle, so glad you are enjoying them. :)
Thank you for your video. Was wondering what kind of time lapsed when you started wiping your pot to clean the grout up to a polished piece. I did hear you say at one point you were at the 10 minute mark. And then you started using that tool. Was just trying to get an idea for time to clean and perfect grout
Thankyou so much. Generally on a piece the size of the pot around 20 mins from start of first grout wipe to final cleaning, if l need to take longer that’s fine as well. Temperature does effect the time but l only grout on a cool day or in the morning. It will also depend on the grout as well. When you think you have it clean come back in 5 or 10 minutes and have another look to double check, you can give it another wipe over again with a clean rag. Thanks for watching. 😊
Your videos really are the best, Peter! I also always read the comments & your answers because I find that I pick up a lot of extra information there. For instance, I didn’t know grouting shouldn’t be done in hot weather (I live in Florida). How does the hot weather affect grouting?
Thankyou Karen so much for the support. Its not just hot weather that can effect grout its also humidity. The hot weather can force the grout to cure quicker than it should and of course drying it out quicker, this can compromise the integrity of it. Once you mix the grout and let is slake a chemical reaction then takes place, this is why you don't add any further water or additive to it after its been slaked. If you are going to grout and its going to be a warm day, grout in the morning and don't put the piece in the sun to cure quicker, I don't grout at all on a hot day. Thanks for watching and for commenting. :)
Hello---your ideas r terrific. My question: I used some Permacolor NS and What A Mess I had!!! What other kind of qrout can I use that will NOT make a mess???? tk u K
Hi Kaye. Thankyou so much. All grouts will make a mess, it really comes down to how you used it and the way you used it. Grouts do make a mess however its to the degree of mess and I haven't come across one that has been any messier than others. I suggest watching my grouting videos they may help you so you dont get into as much mess. :)
Gorgeous work and very helpful tutorial. Thank you
Thankyou so much, appreciate that and thankyou for watching. :)
Hi, I use a toothbrush to get into those hard places when I grout. Like you I like to use different mediums in mosaics. Excellent ideas. Also can you tell us where you got the metal tool from that helps with removing excess grout to make the edges crisp? thank you. Blessed be.
Thankyou Michelle, appreciate that. A toothbrush works well, the metal tool I bought from Oz Mosaics here in Australia but you can use a metal knitting needle which is what I used to use before buying the tool in the video. Its a fairly common tool the one I was using. :)
Helpful advice - thanks!
My pleasure and thankyou for the comment. :)
So beautiful - thank you for sharing -.
Thankyou so much and thankyou for watching Colette
Love the colour combination on the pot and the vase looks amazing. I have just created an outdoor mosaic table and the grout has sunk can I re grout on top? Thank you
Thankyou so much Sylvie, appreciate that. I cant speak specifically about your job but generally If ordinary sanded grout has been used and it hasn't been sealed then it can be regrouted over the top, providing that there is enough room in the grout lines. Spraying lightly with water where the regrouting needs to be done and then apply the new grout. :)
Awesome. So informative! Thank you!
My pleasure and thankyou for watching. :)
Wow I love how clean everything looks!
Question..- I’m not sure I understand what did you do with the glass one?
It seems like there is no grout at all at the end.
Why did you grout in the first place then? Or did it became transparent?
Thank you so much! 🙌🏽
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. Everything was grouted in the masked area, l choose a good shade of grey sanded grout as it was important, l was aiming for an airy open look which it achieved, keeping your grout lines also close together makes sure the grout doesn’t overshadow the piece. I didn’t have to grout but it helped to bring the piece together also as l used glass and the vase has couverture to it l would have had to grind all the edges just in case someone might cut themselves. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad thank you so much for detailed explanation! 🙌🏽
I love you work very nice.
Thankyou so much Athanasia, appreciate that. :)
Thank you Pete Godbless
Thankyou so much Ebony and Godbless as well. :)
very helpful video, what kind of gorut do you recommend for outdoor projects?
Thankyou very much. I use Laticrete Permacolour sanded grout because its consistent in quality and is a fine grout. I have also been using epoxy grouts over the last 10 years and now I use that for most of my outdoor projects because they don't require sealing, its waterproof and its also more durable than sanded grout. However it is more expensive and fairly accurate measuring is needed but I consider the benefits outweigh the cost. The brand I use for the epoxy grout is Litokol, I consider that to be my favourite and easiest to use. They are the two grouts that I use. Thanks for watching and for commenting. :)
Your videos are always so filled with information! I am curious about one thing: you masked around the shape of the mosaic on the glass vase . . . . at what point did you remove that tape? My thought was that if one waited too long, one might have to deal with removing grouted-in tape. Many thanks!
Thankyou very much Andrea. You can remove the tape before you do the final polish of the tess or you can remove the tape just once the grout firms up a little, that way if you happen to effect the edge of the grout removing the tape, you can just push that grout edge down a little. Just go easy cleaning with the final clean after you've removed the tape so you don't disturb the grouted edge. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much!
What do use fir backs adhesive on the mirrors so they dont change color? Also can u use sanded grout on the mirrors? Won't scratch? Ty!
I take it you are referring to the reflective backing on mirror, you need a neutral curing adhesive, such as a silicone, however not all silicones are neutral curing so make sure the tube states that. You could also use a SMAX polymer such as Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All as it doesnt contain solvents, unlike silicones which continue to give off solvents whilst curing Also you need to ensure the grout doesn't come in contact with the backing because grout is Alkaline. I have used sanded grout without an issue, such a Laticrete Permacolour grout but you could also use LItokol Style Grout Tech which is a new grout and very smooth. Another option is an epoxy grout which works well with mirror. :)
Hi Peter! Love the content!!! I’ve learned a ton from your UA-cam posts. So I’ve been doing mosaic art for just over a year and love it… but- I have a constant problem that I’m hoping you may be able to solve: it’s about grouting. On my smaller projects the grouting comes out fantastic. My terra cotta pots and mirrors turn out great. I use particleboard, sealed and painted prior to using adhesive (usually weld bond) on the prepaid particleboard. I always use sanded grout. My problem is on my larger pieces with wider grout gaps- 1/4- 1/3” wide. I almost always have small cracks appear in the grout after drying!!! Very annoying!! These projects are on prepped particleboard. Can you give any thought on why this may be occurring? Thanks!
Hi Jeff, thankyou so much. There could be many reasons why this is happening and I can only guess, what do you mean you sealed and painted the board?. I don't use particle board as its not as condensed or as dense as MDF, being wood it can interreact with the environment that its in, only use wood inside even with sealing. The board interacting with the environment can cause your grout to crack on your larger pieces especially using particle board, you could be exceeding the manufactures recommended grout line width, the packet should have that on there. There could also be an issue with too much water or not enough water when mixing the grout or your sponge that you are wiping the board down with could be to damp adding more water to the grout. The environment that you are grouting in may be too warm. The grout may be out of date or may not have been stored correctly. There are so many variables with grout cracking however if everything else is grouting well and you are not changing anything, the board would seem to be the issue and your increased grout lines width. :)
Where is the one with grey grout please??Id love to see it!
Thankyou, its in the video finished. :)
Thank you for all your help. I wanted to ask if you are doing a large area if it would be ok to grout it in sections
Thankyou very much. I prefer to grout everything in one go, people do grout in sections but if I couldn't grout pieces in one go due to the size then I would get an extra pair of hands as I think this ensures consistency especially if the piece is going to be seen all at once for instance not around a corner. In most cases I use Laticrete Spectralock epoxy grout which has around an 80min work time depending on temperature, its very much different to sanded grout, more expensive and is a 3 part system but I love using it. Have a read of the technical data sheets first to see if this could be an alternative for you.
I did a kitchen back splash that used broken pottery. And it was absolutely a central that I do it in sections and not all at once there would have been absolutely no way I could have done that . I did it in about 5 different sections over the course of a few weeks. The whole entire project took me 3 months. But I was just doing a little bit here a little bit there as I felt like it. So I'm sure if I would have been working harder at it I could have done it in Maybe a month
@@KMF3 Sounds like a big project, mosaics do take a while, creating a mosaic in sections can make it a lot easier and can be a lot less daunting than trying to do it all at once. :)
@@TreasuryRoad yes plus I got all that time to enjoy it. And believe it or not this was only my second time doing any kind of tiling or mosaic. My very first project was my bathroom backsplash with glass gems, seashells and broken glass from a vase. I grouted that one using a plastic bag like a frosting bag to avoid getting grout on the shells.
@@KMF3 They are awesome projects. Yes the baggie system comes in very handy if you are need complete control. :)
Hi. I will be starting a pot soon that will have uneven tesserae. Thanks for video. Question: our home improvement store sells large bag of sanded grout. It seems a popular color is grey. Is that the one that is most practical. And if I want black add a color additive. they also sell white I want to make a few mosaic pieces. So don’t want to buy lots of supplies that might not get used. I want to get the most versatile. Also the thin mix comes in white and grey. Which one would give me the most for my $. Thanks for your opinion
A mid grey sanded grout is a popular choice with many people. However the grout is generally the cheapest part of the mosaic and it’s always wise to purchase a colour that will work best with you mosaic. Black is equally popular, l would be inclined to see if you can buy smaller quantities and that will allow you to keep a couple of colours. Grout will generally have a shelf life of 12 months and must be stored correctly so it doesn’t become compromised. Make sure when you purchase the grout that’s it’s not close to expiring especially if it’s on sale. Don’t buy your products in advance only buy them when you know you are going to be using them for a project especially when the product has a shelf life. The thinset colour is up to you just make sure it’s rated for the tessera you are using because there are different ones and for the environment it’s going into. Thanks for watching. 😊
Quick question, what medium can I use to get a very black grout?
Look at black oxide powder, its used for tinting concrete. :)
What is the best grout to use for differing thicknesses of pottery shards? Can I put this on a wood slab? thanks in advance.
When l grout l only use a good branded sanded grout or an epoxy grout such as Laticrete or Litokol brands. Avoid unsanded or premixed grouts. 😊
What causes grout to crack, and is there any way to fix cracked grout?
Grout can crack for numerous reasons, if you have used unsanded when sanded would have been best, grout could be out of date, it could have been made to wet or to dry, the weather could have been to hot, an additive could have been added and it wasn’t suitable for the grout or was not the right quantity and the list goes on. :)
Thank you Peter, what should be the maximum gap for grouting? I read somewhere if it’s too big of a gap grouting may crack. My first ever mosaic recently I had wider gaps and realised too wide possibly after I grouted. Is there a general rule? Example bird bath.
Thankyou so much. Generally the packaging will have the maximum width that the grout can go to, if it hasn’t then go to the manufactures website or read their technical data sheet on it, they are informative to read. If the grout exceeded that width then you do risk the grout cracking. :)
What is the consistency of your grout for uneven tesserae? Thanks
Good question, I generally don’t change the consistency of the grout, it’s probably like smoothy peanut butter. I find grouting so much easier on a cool day, l hope this helps you and thanks for watching. 😊
Peter what gloves do you use? I'm having a hard time finding gloves that are strong and protective enough but close-fitting so they don't get in the way of "feeling" the grout as I apply it, particularly to uneven tess. I've experimented with most of Bunnings range of gloves and also surgical gloves, but can't seem to strike the right balance.
The gloves I prefer to use are the ones by Ansell, they are sold at Bunnings in the cleaning section but they are expensive when compared to the USA market. They come in a pack of 3 pairs and the price is fine if you don't go through many. If you do go through a fair few then use the affiliate link in the description box of this video and it will take you to Amazon where you can order the size you would like. Before doing that buy a packet at Bunnings first to see if you like them, they are called Chem 3. I also use the same ones when I'm using Apoxie Sculpt and I generally use them more than once. Another alternative is to use the ordinary disposable gloves but wear 2 pairs at the same time. If you are dealing with sharp crockery or glass it will still cut through them though so avoid sharp pieces. Just my thoughts. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much. I'm off to Bunnings now 🙂
How did you make the last glass piece I’m confused ?
That’s was just used in the demonstration but l have a seperate video on how to make that piece on this channel. 😊
Thank you! ❤️
Thankyou so much. :)
Thanks so much for posting, Peter.
Love the spoons on the garden pot! Did you cut their handles or were they already short?
Thankyou so much, yes I did cut the handles, they were small spoons and then I bent them a little with pliers to fit the curve of the pot. There are so many small spoons out there that are very cheap to buy from opshops and thrift stores. :)
When accidentally one mosaic came off as it came while I was even applying then what would you suggest?
Generally you would continue grouting and then clean the area of grout where the piece came out of while the grout is soft. Then add the piece back in and regrout that area once the adhesive has cured. It also depends on the adhesive you used. Thanks for watching. :)
Where do you buy your tiles from and what is the name of the company
If you are referring to the pieces I used on the garden pot they are just broken crockery and mirror glass that I cut up. If you are talking about the glass Vase, I just used crockery and stained glass cut to the shape I wanted and the others are just round glass gems which are quite common. I have had the stained glass for some time. :)
How high do i go with grout..as i have some quite low pieces to higher pieces..wish i could sent you a pic so you could critique my 1st piece as im such a beginner..
The best grout height is having it level with the tessera (the pieces you adhere down that make up the mosaic). You don't want it any higher and you don't want it much lower so aim for level the best you can. If the grout is to low then the edge of the tesserae will protrude, if you have some tesserae that is a bit buried under the grout because its lower then just clear the grout from it to expose the tessera. A good branded sanded grout is generally used in most mosaics. You can join a couple of the Facebook groups and create a post and post your photo along with any questions you may have. Facebook groups such as Mosaics Australia Wide, I am in this group most days, also Mosaic Mentoring is a good group as well. Thanks for commenting and I will see you in the groups. :) Here's a video that I made that will help you with grouting and cleaning up pieces of tesserae that are not even which I love. ua-cam.com/video/eg8gIoRZYWE/v-deo.html
Hello Peter! Once again, I'm messaging you about grouting. My first attempt was a failure but then I moved everything indoors to avoid the heat and sun of Florida and the next groutings went well. So, I thank you for that. My current project is doing a mosaic on an asymmetrical vase using broken plates. I've attached the china with E6000. But now I have no idea of what to use for grouting....what color or should I use a translucent grout? I'd appreciate any suggestions. Thank you once again Peter
Is there a way I can send you a photo of the project?
HI Michelle, thank you and I'm glad your next grouting project went well. E6000 is not a good adhesive to use on glass or mosaics or in mosaics, its quite toxic and it has been reported that it can crack the glass overt time due to the make of it. If you have used crockery in your mosaic I probably wouldn't use the Litokol translucent grout because its best used with glass to get the full benefit from it. You can use it with crockery if you want to though but it wont taking on the surrounding colour of the tess as in my videos on it. I would create a post in one of the many mosaic Facebook groups and include your photo, you will receive many different opinions on the grout colour as its really a personal choice. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much again Peter. We all learn so much from you and it is so kind of you to answer our individual questions. I will definitely stop using the E6000. What adhesive do you recommend when cementing ceramic on glass?
@@michellelalonde4918 Thankyou so much. I cant comment specifically about your project but generally speaking I would use a product like Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All, its a SMX polymer and it doesn't have any solvents, its sold in the USA by Soudal under another name but you should be able to get that from Soudal. You can also use silicone however I try and avoid using silicone where I can because they continue to give off solvents whilst curing. Silicones and Soudal can get a yellow tinge over time but if you cant see it, then it doesn't matter. I have created a video on using the Soudal if you're interested, here's the link. ua-cam.com/video/X1HYyHhBTHU/v-deo.html
Hi! What kind of adhesive did you use?
Hi Genevieve. Theres a link in the video but you can go to the video showing you what I used and creating the flower pot. ua-cam.com/video/15JaG09YS7w/v-deo.html
Enjoyed your video! Two questions: I used to mosaic a lot and am only now getting back to it so I've forgotten a lot! I have some beautiful colored grouts from maybe 10 years ago. Is it still okay to use do you think? Also, I didn't see you polishing with the dry cloth. Do you just use any type of cloth for that?
Thankyou so much Chana, I would be throwing the grout out, its very cheap and you certainly don't want to compromise your mosaic. Generally sanded grout has a 12 to 18 month shelf life depending on the brand and it must also be correctly stored as well. The manufacturers ensure that if its stored correctly and used within their time frame then the grout will be at its best. Here's a video I made on storing grout so you get the best out of it. I just use any clean soft cloth that I have laying around as long as it doesn't leave remnants of cloth everywhere. :) ua-cam.com/video/p0aKCWyKdRE/v-deo.html
@@TreasuryRoad Thanks so much!
I already have lots of the thinset, can I just purchase SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout and use it to grout my mosaic? Thank you.
I’m not sure what you mean. Spectralock Pro Premium epoxy grout is a stand alone product and is meant for grouting. To ensure you’re using the correct product for the job always read the manufactures technical and msds information on the Manufactures website. 😊
Hi Peter, is this grout sanded or unsanded?
Hi Upasana, l have used sanded grout, l only use sanded grout or epoxy grout. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad... Thanks
What products are you using to get mosaic to stick and what kind of grout?
Here's the link to creating this flower pot. :) ua-cam.com/video/15JaG09YS7w/v-deo.html
What type of grout do you use
I think I used Laticrete Permacolour sanded grout. These days I generally use Litokol epoxy grouts for 90% of my projects. :)
Thank you Peter for updating that you now prefer epoxy grout because I was wondering if there was a reason that you did not, especially for the projects with varied. tess.
Will you be doing videos showing use of epoxy grout on 3D/sculptural? I understand it can also be used as the adhesive/ mortar for small projects. I don't think that's cost wise but it's good to know in a pinch for tricky bits
I'll watch any video where you say pro-jects. Great personality/video!
Thankyou very much Christa, appreciate that and Thankyou for watching. 😊
"grout doesn't have any adhesive property": I think this is not generally true! Polymeric grouts are used also as mortar, because they are good adhesives too
If you add an additive to the grout or the grout containers polymers that's very true. However not all grouts do but I think you made a good point and I will clarify that better moving forward. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanks for the feedback!
These types of grouts that can be used also as mortar are quite useful if a mosaic piece needs grouting with more than 1 color. It avoids having a mortar of different color that can spill in between the tiles into the grout lines.
I have never tried this technique, but I have read it in other forums and on the instructions of the polymeric grouts from Mapei.
I plan to use it for a mosaic that will be placed into a headstone; it should make it more resistant.
I like your channel, it is very instructive!
@@jagan2 Thankyou so much appreciate that. I find I love using Laticrete Permacolour grout and Laticrete Admix this way I can have the thinset in the same colour as the grout colour that I will be grouting with, so if it gets into the grout lines it doesn't matter. When I grout I just use the Permacolour grout with water so essentially one product does two things. :)