glass mosaic tile art studio of william j enslen jr
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How to Make Glass Mosaic Tile Art: How to Mix Grout
How much grout you need for your mosaic depends on the size of your piece and the width of your joints. Smaller grout joints need less grout.
You should mix more than you think you’ll need so you don’t run out, especially when using colored grout.
Don’t dump a whole new box of grout into a bucket of water! If this is your first time grouting, put what you think is enough into your mixing
container and then add at least half that amount. In other words, mix at least 1.5 times what you think you need. When you’re done grouting, look
at how much you throw away. Based on what you throw away (if any), you can judge how much you’ll need for your next mosaic.
Always read and follow safety precautions on the grout box and then read and follow the label instructions for mixing it. Before starting the mixing
process, go somewhere away from your mosaic to do the mixing so you don’t splash wet grout on the mosaic. Go outside or to the opposite end
of the garage. Scoop some grout powder and put it carefully into your mixing container. Don't drop it in the container because the powder will
cloud up. Slowly add small amounts of water and mix the grout. I use a paint stirring stick. Some grouts are “polymer modified,” which means
acrylic latex has been added to the powder during the manufacturing process. If the grout already contains the latex, the bag will clearly state so,
such as, “polymer modified.” If the grout doesn’t already have the latex, then you can mix the grout with an admixture instead of water. As I
describe in my ebook, I never add acrylic latex for my indoor mosaics. Plain hose water works just fine.
Add small amounts of water at a time and mix it thoroughly. Don’t pour in all the water at one time. Don’t make the grout too runny by adding too
much water. Take your time. When it’s almost at the right consistency, just a teaspoon more water can be too much.
Again, don’t make the grout too runny. This is important so let’s say it again aloud, “Don’t make the grout too runny.” I use thick, pasty grout
because I think it's easier to wipe off without digging into the joints. Besides, too much water makes the grout weaker and more susceptible to
staining. So, thicker and pastier is better. I like my consistency to be like thick toothpaste or cookie dough (thick toothpaste, not runny
toothpaste). Some books say to make it like pudding or mayonnaise, but I think that's too thin.
After mixing the grout thoroughly, I use the stirring stick to scoop some up and hold it over the container. If the grout drips off the stick, then it’s way
too runny. I like it so it stays in place on the stick and doesn’t droop or sag.
If you pour in too much water and make the grout too runny, just add a little more grout powder to thicken it. Add just a little at a time. A small
amount can change it from runny to just right. If you add too much grout, it’ll be too thick and then you’ll have to add a few drops of water to thin it.
You’ll be stuck in an endless loop of adding grout to thicken it, then adding water to thin it. So, add small amounts. After your first grout job, you’ll
get a feel for how much water to add, so it’ll be easier the next time you do it.
After you have the right consistency, thoroughly stir it some more to ensure there’s no remaining powder and no lumps.
How much grout you need for your mosaic depends on the size of your piece and the width of your joints. Smaller grout joints need less grout.
You should mix more than you think you’ll need so you don’t run out, especially when using colored grout.
Don’t dump a whole new box of grout into a bucket of water! If this is your first time grouting, put what you think is enough into your mixing
container and then add at least half that amount. In other words, mix at least 1.5 times what you think you need. When you’re done grouting, look
at how much you throw away. Based on what you throw away (if any), you can judge how much you’ll need for your next mosaic.
Always read and follow safety precautions on the grout box and then read and follow the label instructions for mixing it. Before starting the mixing
process, go somewhere away from your mosaic to do the mixing so you don’t splash wet grout on the mosaic. Go outside or to the opposite end
of the garage. Scoop some grout powder and put it carefully into your mixing container. Don't drop it in the container because the powder will
cloud up. Slowly add small amounts of water and mix the grout. I use a paint stirring stick. Some grouts are “polymer modified,” which means
acrylic latex has been added to the powder during the manufacturing process. If the grout already contains the latex, the bag will clearly state so,
such as, “polymer modified.” If the grout doesn’t already have the latex, then you can mix the grout with an admixture instead of water. As I
describe in my ebook, I never add acrylic latex for my indoor mosaics. Plain hose water works just fine.
Add small amounts of water at a time and mix it thoroughly. Don’t pour in all the water at one time. Don’t make the grout too runny by adding too
much water. Take your time. When it’s almost at the right consistency, just a teaspoon more water can be too much.
Again, don’t make the grout too runny. This is important so let’s say it again aloud, “Don’t make the grout too runny.” I use thick, pasty grout
because I think it's easier to wipe off without digging into the joints. Besides, too much water makes the grout weaker and more susceptible to
staining. So, thicker and pastier is better. I like my consistency to be like thick toothpaste or cookie dough (thick toothpaste, not runny
toothpaste). Some books say to make it like pudding or mayonnaise, but I think that's too thin.
After mixing the grout thoroughly, I use the stirring stick to scoop some up and hold it over the container. If the grout drips off the stick, then it’s way
too runny. I like it so it stays in place on the stick and doesn’t droop or sag.
If you pour in too much water and make the grout too runny, just add a little more grout powder to thicken it. Add just a little at a time. A small
amount can change it from runny to just right. If you add too much grout, it’ll be too thick and then you’ll have to add a few drops of water to thin it.
You’ll be stuck in an endless loop of adding grout to thicken it, then adding water to thin it. So, add small amounts. After your first grout job, you’ll
get a feel for how much water to add, so it’ll be easier the next time you do it.
After you have the right consistency, thoroughly stir it some more to ensure there’s no remaining powder and no lumps.
| Mosaic Trade Organizations |
| Thank you for your patience as I build my list of preferred mosaic trade organizations. My website is new and I'm working to update this page. |
The Society of American Mosaic Artists (SAMA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and promoting excellence in fine mosaic art. To
achieve this mission, SAMA organizes various wonderful mosaic-related programs, events, and activities.
Institute of Mosaic Art, mosaic classes for all levels including Tile Mosaics, Glass Mosaics, Italian Style, Garden Mosaics, Tile Making, Glass Fusing, Sculpture,
Intensives and Masters Classes. Evening and Weekend Classes, Fun Atmosphere!
The mission of the Mosaic Art Association of Canada is to promote mosaic art and artists in Canada by enhancing public awareness of mosaic art and by cultivating
a supportive network of mosaic artists and enthusiasts.
The Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand is a non-profit association that began in March 2002 with a simple idea: to create exhibition events that will
allow artists of all levels and of all styles to display their works and provide an opportunity for their creative growth.
The British Association for Modern Mosaic promotes, encourages, and supports excellence in contemporary mosaic art, and raises public awareness of modern
mosaic art through exhibitions, publications, events, and related educational activities.
achieve this mission, SAMA organizes various wonderful mosaic-related programs, events, and activities.
Institute of Mosaic Art, mosaic classes for all levels including Tile Mosaics, Glass Mosaics, Italian Style, Garden Mosaics, Tile Making, Glass Fusing, Sculpture,
Intensives and Masters Classes. Evening and Weekend Classes, Fun Atmosphere!
The mission of the Mosaic Art Association of Canada is to promote mosaic art and artists in Canada by enhancing public awareness of mosaic art and by cultivating
a supportive network of mosaic artists and enthusiasts.
The Mosaic Association of Australia and New Zealand is a non-profit association that began in March 2002 with a simple idea: to create exhibition events that will
allow artists of all levels and of all styles to display their works and provide an opportunity for their creative growth.
The British Association for Modern Mosaic promotes, encourages, and supports excellence in contemporary mosaic art, and raises public awareness of modern
mosaic art through exhibitions, publications, events, and related educational activities.
| Copyright © 2008-2009 by William J. Enslen, Jr. All rights reserved. Any use - including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, or display - of the content (text and illustrations) is strictly prohibited. |
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Below you'll find a variety of information, primarily about mosaic trade organizations, that will help you on your
journey into the fun and exciting world of glass mosaic tile art.
journey into the fun and exciting world of glass mosaic tile art.