Mosaic Tips

Websites:
Mosaic Direct or Indirect http://mosaictipsandtricks.blogspot.com/2009/06/methods-direct-indirect-and-mine.html
Mosaic How to http://mosaictipsandtricks.blogspot.com/2009/08/broken-china-mosaic-pique-assiette.html

GROUTING
Tip 1: Finish project once you start. Do not walk away while project is unfinished.
Tip 2: Try to use grout up within 72 hrs.
Tip 3: Choose a work area that caters to the messiness of grouting. (ie, outdoors)
Tip 4: Work from the top down
Tip 5: It's better to mix too much than not enough. You can store the excess for a future project. To store place moistened paper towels on top of the remaining grout and sea. You want the seal as tight as possible.
Tip 6: It is a good idea to mist the surfaces for 15-20 minutes for the first hour or two, so that the grout will dry more evenly.

Supplies needed:
Grout (sanded or unsanded)
Adhesive (Weldbond to reinforce and strengthen grout)
Container for mixing grout (with lid, can store for 72 hours or up to a week...but don't push it, after 10 days it will be too hard to use.)
Paint stick
Painters Tape
Latex gloves (Prevent skin from drying out and becoming irritated)
Bucket (filled with water)
Water Spray Bottle
Bottled water (optional...check to see if tap causes discoloration if so use bottled water to mix grouot)
paper towels
plastic sheets to cover work area
Small trowel ( or a stiff rubber spatula)
Dremel
Extension cord

FIRST: TAPE OFF
Prepare surface by taping (painters tape) off area that you don't want the wet grout to contact before mixing grout.
Used a plastic bag to cover the bottom and secured with tape.

MIXING GROUT
Wear gloves! Pour about 1 cup grout (about 1/3 of the container), 3 tablespoons of Weldbond, and 2 tsp of bottled water in your container.

Mix (with paint stick) thoroughly. It should be the consistency of runny peanut butter.

When ready, spread thoroughly over the top and around the edge, pushing into all the crevices. When grout becomes too thick, spray a light mist over the surface, then spread.

Once your have covered the surface thoroughly with the grout, lightly squeegee (with trowel) the surface to remove the excess grout. Try not to press too hard. You want the grout level to the tiles.

Angle the trowel using a criss-cross motion to clean off excess grout. To prevent excess grout from building up on the trowel, you should continuously clean it off by dipping in a pail of water, wipe off any moisture with a paper towel, then continue to squeegee until the surface appears level.

SINGLE SURFACE
If you are grouting a single-level surface, allow the piece to rest for 10 minutes. Skip down to "CLEANING MOSAIC TILES"

MULTI-LEVEL SURFACES
If you are grouting a multi-level surface, apply the grout to the next area; be sure to work from the top, down. Mist surfaces every 15-20 minutes while you are working on other areas. Misting prevents the grout surface from drying too quickly. The more evenly the grout dries, the stronger the bond. Once you have finished grouting all areas, it is time to clean the film off the mosaic tiles.

CLEANING MOSAIC TILES
Clean the haze off the tiles by lightly misting a small area then wipe the surface using paper towels. Take care not to rub the paper towels into the grout lines.

You will notice the tile wakes up as you clean off the film. Continue cleaning until all the tiles are shiny and free of grout or haze. Again, take care not to remove grout lower than the height of the mosaic tiles.

To remove the tape, spritz the edge with water, then score with a dull knife. Use an old butter knife and work in sections. This enables you to remove the tape without removing too much grout from under the tiles.

Should you inadvertently remove any grout, using the reserves to carefully replace the grout taking care not to get any wet grout on your surface. If you do, immediately wipe it off with a damp paper towel.

Once you have cleaned off the film and any excess grout, lightly run your hand over the surface. Dremel any sharp corners you encounter. Take care not to dremel off any of the grout lines or too much of the tile. A quick light touch is all that is required.

Let the piece cure for at least 72 hours before you seal the grout. Should you use the piece before you seal it, take care not to spill anything onto the surface as the grout is still vulnerable to stains. Once it is sealed, simply wipe any dirt or spills with a damp cloth.