Installation Tips to Installing SPECTRALOCK 1 Pre-Mixed Grout

[@terrancetenley2786]

just used this for my new shower and it was not creamy at all. It was quite a workout getting it into the gaps. Clean up was not bad at all, as long as you are ready within the time limits. I grouted one wall of the shower at a time so I could clean as I go. Also, I would use a dry microfiber towel to carefully wipe down the trim so I would not have any residue issues.

[@laticrete]

Hi Terrance. Thank you for reaching out. If you're having trouble with our product, please reach out to our technical support team, they'd be happy to help: 1.800.243.4788 x1235

[@mrbogus2042]

I appreciate the how to video. The only negative thing I see is that with having a white tile you can’t see the haze with the white grout. Perhaps the same video with a darker colored tile. Thanks.

[@laticrete]

We appreciate the feedback. We'll share this with our team.

[@alexsanchez2493]

Same problem we have with this product and we are doing wal marts !!!

[@MaksymSnitkovskiy]

Can spectralock 1 be applied for the tiled shower base?

[@laticrete]

Hello! Yes, SPECTRALOCK 1 can be used in shower applications, floors and walls.

[@H2ObarryField]

Man I wish the two tubs I bought were creamy like that. What I got amounted to one heck of a forearm workout

[@ericvelazquez5255]

Why are the demos always on round edge tile . Everything is rectified these days .

[@luke9822]

If I have a partially used bucket from two years ago that still looks good inside with normal texture and wetness, can it be used again? Or will it not set properly?

[@laticrete]

Hello Luke! Thank you for your message. SPECTRALOCK 1 has a shelf life of 18 months from the manufacturing date. So since it already has been opened and is past that shelf life it would be best served not using it. You can do a test area and decide what you would like to do, but it will likely not perform as intended and wouldn't be a warranted application. More info on our data sheet: cdnmdm.laticrete.com/Datasheet/NA/190/Datasheet_NA_en_190.pdf Hope this helps!

[@paultappenden4337]

All instructions were followed for my shower. However even a week after completion, chunks are falling out. As fast as I clean, dry, and regrout one hole on my shower floor, another one appears. Also, it was supposed to be as white as the tiles, it stayed gray. Did you have a bad batch? What should I do?

[@laticrete]

Hello Paul! Thank you for your message. We're sorry to hear about your issue. Please give our Technical Support Team a call: 1.800.243.4788 x1235 They would be happy to assist you with your product issue. Hope this helps!

[@paultappenden4337]

@@laticrete Thank you. Excellent customer support. Got the answers I was looking for.

[@jasoncy31]

@@paultappenden4337 Can you post what they told you? It'd be helpful. Thanks!

[@paultappenden4337]

@jasoncy31 The contractor ended up removing all the grout, and redoing it. We used the same stuff, but left it for two weeks, as we were going away. It's OK, but the contractor said he'd never use it again.

[@ofiasdfnosdf]

I bought a bucket but it’s not as creamy as it looks in this video. I understand the shelf life is about 1-1/2 years; how can I determine the expiration date from the code on the bucket?

[@laticrete]

Hello! Thanks for your message. There should be a date on the back of the container. Please let us know if you need any additional help.

[@luptonpittman6520]

I see that you begin the initial wash 5 to 15 minutes after applying the grout depending on site conditions. I’ll be doing my basement level bathroom which is about 60°. Should I be waiting on the shorter side a longer side of that 5 to 15 minute range? Thank you

[@laticrete]

All curing and working times are based on 70F and 50% relative humidity. If the area you're working in is cooler than this, the longer side of the recommendation should be observed which may lead to waiting past the recommended times. Please review the product datasheet for additional information: cdn.laticrete.com/~/media/product-documents/product-data-sheets/ds-36589

[@luptonpittman6520]

@@laticrete Thank you for your reply

[@yolandagomez9255]

can I use this to regrout my shower tiles? in other words, can I apply over my existing grout? I'm not that handy to be grinding and removing grout. thanks

[@laticrete]

Industry standards say that you must remove 1/2 the depth of the grout joint when regrouting.

[@yolandagomez9255]

@@laticrete thank you

[@bitneck]

How do you get it to stick to wall tile?

[@laticrete]

Hello! Thank you for your message. SL1 would react like other grouts on vertical surfaces. It was formulated to have increased non-sag qualities and has a creamy consistency to help it glide across the wall tile and stay in the joints. If you're looking for installation techniques, we would recommend viewing installation videos that show grouts being used on vertical applications. Hope this helps!

[@josephreynolds6372]

Haze does not remove that easy with a scrub pad after a few hours. Next day iv had to use multiple headlight polishing kit to remove haze.

[@chrissm757]

Question, I just installed polished white “marble look” ceramic tile on my house and I’m looking for a white non-sanded grout for it. I have done research and I’m interested in your product. What would be your recommendation?

[@laticrete]

SPECTRALOCK 1 is a sanded grout. So for this application we'd recommend using PERMACOLOR Select NS (non sanded). Here is a link to information on it: laticrete.com/tile-and-stone-installation/grouts/cementitious-grouts/permacolor-select-ns-grout-base Let us know if you need more information.

[@pinoyboyfernandez4396]

Is this epoxy? Is resin and epoxy the same? Sorry for the question

[@laticrete]

SPECTRALOCK 1 Grout is not an epoxy/resin grout, but it has the same performance as an epoxy grout meeting or exceed ANSI A118.3 standards. The actual chemistry is proprietary. Here is a link to the datasheet: cdn.laticrete.com/~/media/product-documents/product-data-sheets/ds-36589

[@taracarr1589]

What is the composition of this product? Technical data sheets specify it can be used with glass tile and natural stone, but I've read it's composed of the sanded aggregates from Spectralock.

[@laticrete]

It can be used on glass tiles - but not all glass tiles are created equal and some are "softer" than others and may scratch if using sanded grouts. The only way to know for sure is by asking the tile manufacturer for grout recommendation or testing the grout on a piece of glass; or, buying the finest play sand possible from a big box store and test the tile's hardness.

[@dimapetkov7709]

How to remove haze on the aluminum edge after several days of cure? I tried alcohol and acetone, but neither of them worked.

[@laticrete]

If the grout haze is left on the surface for greater than 72 hours, a stronger clean may be necessary. We recommend the use of SUNNYSIDE® MULTISTRIP ADVANCE or a D-Limonene based cleaner (e.g. L&M™ CITREX™). Allow the liquid to sit on the surface of the haze for a for 5 to 30 minutes and in a small circular motion, applying pressure, pass over the haze with the white nylon scrub or scouring pad. The haze should start to release from the tiles and can be removed with a cleaned damp sponge or microfiber cloth. For larger areas, a floor buffing machine equipped with a white pad can be used. Always conduct a test area to confirm that the liquids and pad used will not affect the tiles.

[@BruceWayne-xv1jk]

Magic eraser

[@willbeau1930]

Hi. So, I just grouted my first tile with SpectraLock 1. I really am happy with the whole process, but I cannot find the troubleshooting document for SL1. Being my first time grouting, I left a couple of small oddball pinholes, and one tiny razor thin void at the edge of a tile. Do I need to cut out those small areas and regrout them? or can I just apply some more of my SL1 to fix it? My grout is only a few days old.

[@laticrete]

The Troubleshooting document can be found here >cdn.laticrete.com/~/media/support-and-downloads/technical-datasheets/tds411-sl1-faqs Please note grout can be altered/fixed while the material is still wet. Once the grout is allowed to dry, it's recommended to remove at least half the depth of the grout joint prior to conducting a fix. This assures proper bonding of the material for a lasting finish.

[@thomasmatthew7759]

Can SL1 be used on 1/16" grout joints?

[@laticrete]

Yes. Here is a link to the datasheet for reference: cdn.laticrete.com/~/media/product-documents/product-data-sheets/ds-36589

[@rastafarian6253]

Mine wasn’t that creamy either

[@laticrete]

Hi there! Thank you for reaching out. If you're having trouble with our product, please reach out to our technical support team: 1.800.243.4788 x1235. They would be happy to help.

[@KJ_nyc]

This video is very misleading. The mixture is wet and feels like wet sand, but I would not call it "creamy." That's a fantasy. It clumps, and it doesn't easily stick to your float. The material is heavy, and it often falls to the ground, which you don't see in this video because their sample board is flat, letting gravity work in their favor. It can be difficult to control waste when using this product. You need a second person handy to gather the waste, and either use it immediately, or put it back in the container. In the first minute on the tiles, it can be easy to spread, but then it gets challenging quickly, and you need to be prepared. Once spread on the tiles, it wants to dry very quickly. When it starts to dry, it can be very challenging to wipe off the face of your tiles. I could say more. IMO, this product is not for the inexperienced. It has its challenges, and they need to be learned and conquered. Once you figure things out, it does get a little easier, and the results seem to be good. But, I have to say, I did not fall in love with this product. I do not enjoy working with it.

[@laticrete]

Hello. Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate it and will share it with our team.

[@chrisl1873]

Y'all desperately need to fire your video editor the music is at 1000 and the voice volume is at 2

[@PhillTheGreat]

Try that on a subway tile wall. Not that easy my friend

[@codymc9820]

Hate to say it but the product is good but the way he is cleaning and grouting isn't right. Never do it that way. You waste so much time. Strike wash method is tried and true. No point in all those steps