I am preparing to grout my new marble floor. The tiles have a tumbled finish with a cobbled edge. I spaced the tiles slightly more than one sixteenth of an inch and plan on using a sanded grout.I have two questions. First, will the sanded grout scratch the tumbled finish and second do I need to seal the tile before grouting? Any other tips would also be apprieciated.Thank You.

 

Dear Mike:

No, sanded grout will not scratch your stone, unless you systematically rub it on it!... And even if it does (which it won't), what's the big deal to remove scratches from a surface as tumbled marble? You can use sand paper, can't you?...

Keep the grout gap approx. 3/16”: you do want that rustic look, don't you?

Do not seal before grouting. Do the grouting and then a week or so after everything is done, you can seal the whole thing. Actually, if you like the depth of color that the stone takes when is wet, your best bet is to use a good-quality stone color-enhancer/impregnator like MB-6, which will give you permanently that wet look (only the depth of color – no sheen). 

May I ask you now to please read and e-sign our Statement of Purpose at: http://www.marblecleaning.org/purpose.htm? J

Ciao and good luck,

Mauri z io Bertoli

 

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