LATICRETE Spectralock Pro Premium Grout Installation Guide
- June 3, 2024
- LATICRETE
Table of Contents
LATICRETE Spectralock Pro Premium Grout
- A Professional grade product for tiling contractors
- For most ceramic tile, glass tile, porcelain tile, and natural stone Floors and walls
- Interior and exterior
- Residential and commercial
WARNING
This product may cause skin sensitization. Avoid skin contact. Wear gloves
when using this product. United States Patent No.: 6,881,768 (and other
Patents)
CAUTIONS (See SDS)
NOTE: ALWAYS USE PROTECTIVE CLOTHING (GLOVES, LONG SLEEVE SHIRT, AND
SAFETY GLASSES) WHEN WORKING WITH EPOXY SPECTRALOCK®* PRO PREMIUM GROUT. KEEP
OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. PART AB LIQUIDS CAUTION: THIS PRODUCT CAN BE
IRRITATING TO THE EYES AND SKIN. AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES AND PROLONGED CONTACT
WITH SKIN. IN CASE OF DIRECT CONTACT WITH EYES, WASH YOUR EYES IMMEDIATELY
WITH WATER AND SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION QUICKLY. DO NOT SWALLOW. KEEP OUT OF
REACH OF CHILDREN.
PART C POWDER CAUTION: CONTAINS SILICA SAND. CRYSTALLINE SILICA INHALED FROM OCCUPATIONAL SOURCES CAN CAUSE CANCER IN HUMANS. PROLONGED INHALATION OF SILICA SAND MAY CAUSE DELAYED LUNG INJURY INCLUDING SILICOSIS. MAY IRRITATE THE EYES. AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES. IN CASE OF CONTACT, FLUSH THOROUGHLY WITH WATER. DO NOT TAKE IT INTERNALLY. AVOID BREATHING DUST. WEAR SAFETY GLASSES AND A WORK-SAFE APPROVED DUST RESPIRATOR IN DUSTY AREAS. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONSULT THE SDS FOR THIS PRODUCT. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
PART D DAZZLE™ CAUTION
AVOID EYE CONTACT OR PROLONGED CONTACT WITH SKIN. WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER
HANDLING IF EYE CONTACT OCCURS, AND FLUSH WITH WATER FOR 15 MINUTES. AVOID
INHALATION, WHICH CAN CAUSE BREATHING PROBLEMS. FINE PARTICLES CAN BECOME
AIRBORNE WHILE MIXING. PROTECT THE WORK AREA. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.
MAINTENANCE
LATICRETE® and LATAPOXY® grouts, sealers, and sealants require routine maintenance and cleaning with neutral pH detergent and water. See TDS 1113 for more information. Contact the cleaner manufacturer if another cleaner type will be used to ensure compatibility with the grout. All other LATICRETE and LATAPOXY non-finish materials require no maintenance but installation performance and durability may depend on properly maintaining products supplied by other manufacturers.
WARNING This product may cause skin sensitization. Avoid skin contact. Wear gloves when using this product. Easy to Install, Easy to Clean-Up! SPECTRALOCK® PRO Premium Grout† installs easily and provides the color uniformity, stain protection, and durability of an epoxy. New improved non-sag formula makes installation even easier and helps achieve full flush grout joints. SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout can be used for interior or exterior applications on floors and walls. SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout may also be used with SPECTRALOCK Dazzle™, a design component that produces metallic and glow-in-the-dark grout when mixed with our 40 lifestyle colors.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Contact LATICRETE for free training, particularly where a trained LATICRETE
SPECTRALOCK Pro Premium Grouter is a condition of warranty.
IMPORTANT : Do not mix SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout† Part A or Part B
liquids with SPECTRALOCK® PRO Grout† Part A OR Part B liquids. Do not install
SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout adjacent to SPECTRALOCK PRO Grout of the same
color to avoid possible colour shade and texture variation.
- SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium is easy to use however is not installed in the same way as ordinary epoxy grouts.
- Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations for minimum cure time prior to grouting.
- SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout is a sanded grout.
- The use of sanded grouts in joints less than 3mm will result in a coarser surface texture as compared to wider joints.
- Do not add water or any other materials to the grout mixture. Do not re-temper with water. This will have an adverse effect on the product and void all warranties.
- Clean-up is critical. Prepare for the initial and final washes by having 2 pails of clean water ready for the clean-up process.
- Not for use in areas subjected to enzymatic cleaners and no-rinse cleaners.
- Part C grout powder should be from the same batch/lot and have the same C.N. number. If using Part C powder with different C.N. numbers, mix dry powder thoroughly prior to adding gauging liquid.
- No claims for shade variation will be honored.
- Conduct a mock-up of grouts with the tile for approval of color prior to commencing installation.
ENSURE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE ON THE JOBSITE BEFORE GROUTING. PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION TOOLS
- Broom/vacuum (remove debris)
- Utility knife (removes excess thin-set in joints, open A and B pouches) Clean water and sponges (to clean the surface of tile)
- Firm-edged, rubber epoxy grout float
- Margin trowel
- Low-speed drill and grout mix paddle (optional)
- Empty pails
CLEAN-UP SUPPLIES
- Fresh water supply
- Extra sponges (for floor installation)
- Terry cloth towels (optional for wall clean up)
- Empty pails
- White scrub pad
STORAGE
Condition the components at 21°C to allow for easier application. Protect Part
A and Part B liquids from freezing.
SURFACE PREPARATION
NOTE: Ensure the substrate including the tile bedding is dry before commencing work. Wet/damp substrates may damage curing grout, cause surface blemishes in the grout, discolor the grout, or re-emulsify curing resins.
- Ensure the tile surface has no residual film from the adhesive setting material.
- The use of a STONETECH® sealer or grout release applied to unglazed porcelain tile, abrasive, non-slip or rough textured tiles or porous tile or stone surfaces before grouting will facilitate cleaning.
- SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout, as well as other sanded grouts, may “scratch” glass tiles, soft or polished marble and stone, soft glazed, and handmade tiles. Test grout on a small area to ensure compatibility.
- Test stone for compatibility with water and cleaning additive mixture.
- Epoxy resins may affect the color of white or light-colored porous stones (such as white Carrara, those white, Make sure tile surface and open grout joints are clean and free from debris, grout spacers, or standing water.
- The surface temperature range for installation must be above 4°C(including for the length of the cure period) and less than 35°C.
WORKING TIME
The working time of grout is approximately 80 minutes at 21°C after the components are thoroughly mixed. Please note that working time is affected by many variables including grout mix consistency, surface, and ambient temperatures. Warmer climates, for example, will shorten the working time, while colder conditions will extend the working time. Note: Wear appropriate personal protection, including gloves and glasses. See SDS.
- Cut open Part A and B pouches, and squeeze the liquids (A first, then B) into a clean pail. IMPORTANT: MAKE SURE TO SQUEEZE ALL THE LIQUIDS OUT OF THE POUCHES. NOTE:
- Make sure tile is ready to grout before mixing.
- Fold pouches in half and roll up like a toothpaste tube.
- To remove any remaining liquid, fold the pouch in half from top to bottom, drape folded pouch over the edge of the pail, and squeeze out liquids against the inside of the pail.
- Mix liquids thoroughly, completely blending all liquid from the sides and bottom of the pail. Mix with a margin trowel or slow-speed drill mixer (< 300 RPM).
- Once blended, add Part C color powder to blended A and B liquids and mix thoroughly with a margin trowel or slow-speed drill mixer (< 300 RPM). The SPECTRALOCK PRO Premium Grout unit is designed to use all the Part C colour powder for most applications.
- For narrow joints, it is acceptable to leave out up to 10% Part C color powder to produce a more fluid mix.
MIXING WITH PART D DAZZLE™ POWDER
- If using Part D Dazzle Powder: Mix Part D Dazzle powder into the blended liquids before adding the Part C color powder. Use one (1) Part D Dazzle cup per mini-unit, four (4) Part D Dazzle cups per full unit, and sixteen (16) Part D Dazzle cups per commercial unit. Be careful mixing, as Part D
- Dazzle powder is light and will become airborne easily.
- Once blended, add Part C color powder to the mix, leaving out an amount approximately equal to or slightly more than the volume of Part D Dazzle powder used. Use the empty Part D Dazzle cup to hold back the Part C color powder.
- NOTE : You will not be able to add all the Part C color powder when using Part D Dazzle powder. Mix to desired consistency
GROUTING
- After surfaces are cleaned, allow drying thoroughly before grouting.
- Spread grout using a sharp-edged, firm rubber grout float. Work the grout diagonally across the joints, packing them full.
- “Cut” excess grout off the tile surface using the edge of the float held at a 90° angle like a squeegee, striking the joint direction at an angel to avoid having the float edge digging into the packed joint and pulling grout out.
- Once the grout has been spread and joints filled, loosen any excess grout and dress joints smooth by using a damp (not wet) sponge in a circular motion, cleaning off any further excess grout on the face of the tile as you progress. Rinse out the sponge regularly in a clean bucket of water.
INITIAL WASH
NOTE: Have clean water, a new clean sponge, and an initial wash cleaning
additive packet ready. n Wait 20 minutes before commencing the cleaning off of
the epoxy film with a damp not wet
- sponge (or within one hour of the initial mixing of the product). Wait longer at colder temperatures. Prepare film washing water by adding a satchel of the initial wash cleaning additive to 7.5 Litres of clean water and mix until fully dissolved.
- Do not mix cleaning additives with grout. Immerse the clean sponge in water and wring until damp. Change water with a new cleaning additive mixture every 4.6 m².
- Do not use wet sponges or excessive water to clean grout film from the surface before the grout has taken set.
WALL APPLICATIONS
- Instead of a sponge, the use of a damp, well-wrung, folded terry cloth towel can be helpful to remove excess grout while smoothing joints less than 3 mm on walls. Use light pressure when using folded terry cloth towel.
- Begin final cleaning approximately one hour after initial wash has taken place or when the grout can withstand the use of a scrub pad without affecting the surface finish. Prepare another 7.5 liters of clean water and pour in the final wash cleaning additive packet, and mix until fully dissolved.
- Follow the same process as the initial wash but use the clean white scrub pad in place of the sponge to break apart any leftover film. Rinse the scrub pad frequently.
- Then, drag a clean damp sponge diagonally over the scrubbed surfaces to remove froth and residue. Use each side of the sponge only once before rinsing and changing water and cleaning the additive mixture at least every 4.6 m² when using multiple units.
- Allow cleaned areas to dry and inspect tile/stone surfaces. For persistent grout film/haze
- (within 24 hours and after the grout has taken set), scrub the area with a mixture of 7.5 liters of clean water and 120 ml of white vinegar. Conduct a test area to verify results on polished stones.
- Rinse with clean water and allow the surface to dry. Inspect the grout surface and repair it as required with freshly mixed grout.
- Unlike cement grout haze that can be buffed off the following day, SPECTRALOCK PRO
- Premium Grout* film/haze that is allowed to cure on the tile surface may be difficult to remove. Make certain to check the tile surface with adequate lighting after the tile surface is dry.
- Clean hardened or set grout haze with STONETECH® Epoxy Grout Haze & Coating Stripper only. Do not use it on uncured epoxy grout joints.
- Protect the finished surface from traffic for at least 12 hours at 21°C.
- Do not expose grout to acid cleaners or epoxy grout haze removers for 7 days.
- Allow grout to cure for 10 days at 21°C prior to use in immersed applications or steam rooms. See SPECTRALOCK PRO* Premium Grout Product
- Data Sheet DS-1191 for more information.
- The use of excess water during the installation or immersing installations in water before adequate curing will likely cause damage to the grout installation. Manifestations include whitening of grout, weakening of grout or loss of chemical resistance.
- The use of cleaning chemicals on curing grout, other than those discussed in this document, will damage the grout. Manifestations include change of color, weakening of grout or loss of chemical resistance.
PROTECTION OF SURFACE AND TIME TO TRAFFIC
Note: Do not cover with vapor blocking covers like polyethylene sheet, till grout is cured.†United States Patent No.: 6,881,768 (and other Patents)