Mapei Keracolor GG

WHERE TO USE

Grouting interior and exterior floors and walls in all types of ceramic tiles (single fired, double fired, klinker, porcelain tiles, etc.), terracotta, face brick and stone material (natural stone, marble, granite, agglomerates, etc.). Some application examples

• Grouting façades, balconies, terraces and swimming pools.

• Grouting floors with a rustic finish (terracotta, enamelled porcelain, antiqued marble, klinker, single fired tiles).

• Grouting floor and wall ceramic tiles in interiors.

• Grouting ceramic tiled industrial flooring where resistance to chemicals is not required (garages, warehouses, etc.).

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Keracolor GG is a mixture of cement, graded aggregates, synthetic resins, special additives and pigments. The following features are obtained when mixed with the right water ratio and used correctly:

• good compressive and flexural strength, and good resistance to freeze/thaw cycles, therefore good durability;

• good abrasion resistance;

• low shrinkage, therefore absence of cracks and fissures;

• good resistance to acids with pH > 3;

• excellent cost-performance ratio. When mixing Keracolor GG with Fugolastic, a special synthetic resin based polymeric additive, the final characteristics are improved, achieving adequate resistance even under harsh conditions (grouting façades, swimming pools, bathrooms, floors subjected to heavy traffic). For further information consult the Fugolastic Technical Data Sheet.

RECOMMENDATIONS

• Do not use Keracolor GG with cement or any other products. Never add water to the mixture that has begun to set.

• Do not blend different colours of grout together as there is a risk of colour inconsistency and non-uniform final shade once the grout has set.

• Never mix Keracolor GG with salt or dirty water.

• Use the product in temperatures between +5°C and +35°C.

• The amount of mixing water must be precisely measured. An excess of water could induce the appearance of a whitish coat over the surface (efflorescence). If mixtures with different mix ratios are prepared, different colour tones could result. Efflorescence over the surface is due to the formation of calcium carbonate and could also be caused by moisture residue contained in adhesives, not fully hydrated grouts, in substrates not adequately dried, or in substrates not adequately protected from rising damp.

• After having filled the joints with the mixture, do not strew the grouts with Keracolor GG powder to avoid an uneven colour.

• When resistance to acids or hygienic finish is required, use a suitable anti-acid grout (e.g. Kerapoxy).

• Expansion joints and fraction joints in floors and walls should never be filled with Keracolor GG, but with the appropriate flexible MAPEI sealants.

• Occasionally the surface of some ceramic tiles or stone materials are rough or contain micro-porosities. It is recommended to make a sample test to verify cleanability and when necessary, apply a protective treatment over the surface, avoiding its penetration into the joints.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Preparing the joints

Before grouting the joints, wait until the installation mortar or the adhesive has completely hardened. Verify that the waiting time indicated on the relevant Technical Data Sheets has passed. The joints must be clean, free of dust and emptied to at least 2/3 of the tile thickness. The excess adhesive or mortar should be removed while still fresh. Wet the joints with clean water when using very porous ceramic tiles in high temperatures and in the presence of wind.

Preparing the mix

While stirring, pour Keracolor GG into a clean, rust-free container containing 18-20% by weight of clean water or Fugolastic (if required in the application). When grouting floors, the mixture can be made thinner by adding more water (approx. 24% by weight). Mix, preferably with a low speed mixer to avoid excess formation of air bubbles, to a smooth consistency. Wait 2-3 minutes and briefly re-stir before use. Use the mixture within 2 hours of preparation.

Applying the grout

Fill the joints well with Keracolor GG using the appropriate MAPEI trowel or rubber float, making sure the joints are completely compacted, with no unevenness. Remove excess Keracolor GG, while still fresh, from the surface moving the trowel or float diagonally across the joints.

Finishing

When the mixture loses its plasticity and becomes opaque, usually after 10-20 minutes, clean excess Keracolor GG with a damp hard cellulose sponge (e.g. MAPEI sponge) working diagonally to joints. Rinse the sponge frequently using two separate buckets of water: one to remove the excess mixture from the sponge and the other with clean water for rinsing out the sponge. This can also be carried out with a power float. To help remove the hardened product from the tiles, use a dampened Scotch-Brite® pad or a disc-type power float with special abrasive-felt discs. If cleaning is carried out too soon (when the mixture is still plastic), the joints may be partially emptied, therefore more subject to colour variations. On the other hand, if the grout has already hardened, it is necessary to clean the surface mechanically, which could scratch the surface of the tiles. When applying Keracolor GG in extremely hot, dry or windy climates, it is recommended to wet the joints after several hours. The wet curing always improves its final performance. Final cleaning of a powdery haze of Keracolor GG from the surface is carried out with a clean dry cloth. After the final cleaning, if the surface of the floors or walls are still covered with excess Keracolor GG due to poor application technique, an acid cleaner can be used (e.g. Keranet), following the relevant instructions, at least 10 days after grouting the joints. Use Keranet only on acid-resistant surfaces and never on marble or lime materials.

SET FOR LIGHT FOOT TRAFFIC

Floors are set for light foot traffic after approx. 24 hours.

READY FOR USE

Floors are ready for traffic after 7 days. Basins and swimming pools can be filled 7 days after grouting. Cleaning Clean tools and containers with plenty of water before Keracolor GG hardens.

CONSUMPTION

The coverage of Keracolor GG varies depending on the width of the joints, the size and thickness of the tiles.

PACKAGING

25 kg bags and boxes containing 4x5 alupacks depending on the colour.

COLOURS

Keracolor GG is available in 14 colours from the MAPEI range (please refer to the colour samples). STORAGE Keracolor GG can be stored 12 months (25 kg bags) and 24 months (5 kg bags) in a dry place in original packaging. Please refer to packaging label. The product complies with the conditions of Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) N° 1907/2006 (REACH) - All. XVII, item 47.

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION

Keracolor GG contains cement, which when in contact with sweat or other body fluids, may cause an irritant alkaline reactions and allergic reactions to those predisposed. It may cause damage to the eyes. During use, wear protective gloves and goggles and take the usual precautions for handling chemicals. If the product comes in contact with the eyes or skin, wash immediately with plenty of clean water and seek medical attention. For further and complete information about the safe use of our product please refer to the latest version of our Material Safety Data Sheet.

PRODUCT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE.

WARNING

Although the technical details and recommendations contained in this product data sheet correspond to the best of our knowledge and experience, all the above information must, in every case, be taken as merely indicative and subject to confirmation after long-term practical application; for this reason, anyone who intends to use the product must ensure beforehand that it is suitable for the envisaged application. In every case, the user alone is fully responsible for any consequences deriving from the use of the product.