Epoxy grout from Litokol: personal experience of use, characteristics, consumption. Epoxy grout Litokol: from various types to application Epoxy grout litochrom starlike consumption

Scope of Litochrom Starlike:

Litochrom starlike epoxy grout is used for laying and acid-resistant grouting of ceramic tiles and mosaics with a joint width of 2 to 10 mm.

• For interior and exterior use;
• for laying mosaics (glass, ceramic, metal, wood) and grouting tile joints when tiling walls and floors with mosaics in bathrooms, showers, pools;
• for grouting tile joints when facing with ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, natural stone, wall and floor agglomerate in bathrooms, shower cabins, pools;
• for the implementation of design solutions in the manufacture of kitchen worktops, mosaic panels, interior elements, etc.

The main characteristics of Litochrom Starlike grout are:

• increased mechanical stability;
• excellent chemical resistance;
• complete absence of cracks or shells after hardening;
• use Litonet to remove grout residues;
• exclusive colors with metallic effect;
• litochrom starlike stands out for its color consistency on all types of tiles.

Litokol Starlike instructions.

Foundation preparation.

Make sure the adhesive or mortar used when laying the tiles is completely cured and dry. The joints must be free of dust and at least 2/3 of the thickness of the tile must be released. Traces of glue or mortar remaining in the seams must be removed.

Solution preparation.

Pour component B (hardener) into component A (paste). It is recommended to pour in the entire hardener, cleaning the edges and bottom of the container with a steel spatula. Thoroughly mix the mixture with an electric drill with a special nozzle until a homogeneous mass without lumps is obtained. It is not recommended to stir the adhesive by hand. Components A and B of Litochrom Starlike (Litochrom Starlike) are packaged in the required quantities, which eliminates any mixing errors.

Cleaning.

Cleaning of the lined surface after grouting should be carried out as soon as possible, while LITOCHROM STARLIKE is not dry, making sure that the composition does not wash out of the joints and does not leave streaks on the surface. Cleaning can be done both manually and with a special electric mono-brush with a felt nozzle.

Manual way.

Moisten the treated surface with clean water. Carry out preliminary cleaning with a spatula with a white felt nozzle. Perform circular movements clockwise and counterclockwise, while rubbing the edges of the joints and at the same time removing excess grout from the lined surface. Then wipe the surface again with a hard cellulose sponge until a smooth surface of the joints is obtained, completely removing the grout from the surface of the tile without washing it out of the joints and removing residual water. Felt and sponge are replaced as they get dirty.

Mono brush cleaning.

After removing excess, moisten the surface with plenty of clean water and clean with an electric mono-brush with a felt nozzle. Change the felt disc when dirty.

• Application at ambient temperature from +12 to +30 ºС.
• At temperatures from +8 to +12 ºС it becomes viscous and difficult to apply. Drying time in this case increases significantly.
• Timely remove excess from the surface, since after drying it can only be removed mechanically.
• Do not use for work with tiles "Cotto Tuscany".
• As the ambient temperature rises, the setting time decreases.
• Cannot be used for grouting tanks with chemicals and compounds that may be in contact for a short time (see chemical resistance table at the end of the catalogue).
• Do not use on surfaces exposed to oleic acids.
• Do not add to water or solvent.
• Do not use for purposes not specified in this technical description.

Attention!

Component A: Causes eye and skin irritation. Avoid contact with skin. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with running water and seek medical advice. In case of contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water. Wear gloves and protect your eyes/face when handling.
Component B: corrosive. Poisonous if swallowed. Causes burns. Avoid contact with skin as it may cause irritation. In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with running water and seek medical advice. In case of contact with skin, wash immediately with plenty of soap and water. Wear gloves and protect your eyes/face when handling.

Litochrom Starlike consumption

Specifications:

Manufacturer Litokol produces five types:

• Starlike C.350 Crystal - is a colorless mixture - a chameleon. She overwrites artistic and glass mosaics. Seams up to 2 mm thick. Scope - transparent bases, illuminated from the inside.
• Starlike Defender is available as a two-component acid-resistant grout with an epoxy base. It has an excellent antifungal and antibacterial effect. Scope of use - tile joints, 1-15 mm thick, laying mosaics and ceramic tiles. Has seven color options.
• Starlike Color Crystal - overwrite glass and artistic mosaics. Seams up to 2 mm. Color range of five options.
• Litochrome Starlike is a two part epoxy grout. Application - filling joints 1-15 mm and laying tiles or any mosaic. It is successfully used both indoors and outdoors. Available in 103 colors and shades. To enhance the optical effect, the base color is supplemented with the desired additive component.
• Epoxystuk X90 is another representative of two-component acid-resistant epoxy mixtures. It is used as a filler for joints 3-10 mm, both outside and inside.

Specifications

Flow Formula

The formula for the calculation will look like this:

R=(A+B)/(A*B)*C*D*K,

where R- the desired flow rate;

A- the length of the tile in millimeters;

AT- the width of the facing material;

With- the width of the tile joint, also in millimeters;

D- the thickness of the tile in millimeters;

To- coefficient, which is an indicator of volumetric

the weight of the finished solution, if this indicator is not on the package,

take it equal to 1.6.

Use this formula to calculate the average consumption of Litokol grout.

Add a 10% margin to the resulting total for all sorts of unforeseen situations.

Application of additional tools

To do the job quickly, easily and efficiently, the manufacturer advises to arm yourself with additional tools:

• Cellulose combined sponge. Its price is from 500 to 600 rubles. Sometimes ordinary foam rubber is used instead, but it does not last long. With a sponge, the seams are more beautiful and faster, and it is designed for 20-30 m2 of tiles.
• Skipper - a special bucket with squeezing rollers, which is indispensable when working with epoxy grout mixtures.
• Grater with cellulose nozzles. Perfectly cleans the remnants of the dried mixture.

Knead the mixture

The mixture goes on sale in dry form, and in order to get started, it is necessary to mix both components - A and B. The first component - A, is an epoxy resin, to which quartz sand, a dye and a plasticizer are added. The second component B is a hardener. After the components are mixed, you need to use the mixture within an hour.

This entails some difficulties. To obtain a normal, high-quality mixture, the components must be mixed in a certain proportion. If you work alone, then in 60 minutes you simply won’t have time to work out the entire package, even if you have excellent skills. Therefore, the required amount will have to be calculated and measured by weights, and different proportions of different grouts, for example:

• the components of the Epoxystuk X90 mixture are taken in a ratio of 100 to 7.2, by weighing;
• the proportion of the components of Starlike C.350 Crystal is 100 to 8, also weighed;
• Litochrom Starlike does not indicate the required proportions, the proportion of 14 to 1 was experimentally determined, where 14 is a filler, 1 is a hardener.

The most commonly used is Litochrom Starlike, the grain size of which is much higher than that of another manufacturer -. But it's easy to work with and easy to clean.

At one run, it is better to knead 200, maximum 300 grams of grout.

Filling and shaping seams

We carry out filling of seams as a standard, on a small area.
Joints filled with epoxy grout are formed and sanded immediately while the mixture is still wet, because it has a very long curing period.

Work begins immediately, with a foam sponge and clean water. Blurring seams according to the standard method. To apply the grout, you need a clean and dry surface, so we use the sponge only in the center, leaving the borders of the worn seams dry.

After the mixture is applied, do not walk on the tile - it will be very difficult to correct the defects that have arisen. The seams need at least five days and the temperature is not lower than +23 to “earn” with full dedication.

After the seam is ready, the old sponge is replaced with a new one and the seam is brought to the end.
The grout mixture at this time is still liquid.

We prepare a fresh portion of the mixture and duplicate all the steps.

For internal corners, you will need two days - one day for grouting one side, the second day - the second side of the corner. It will not work to do everything at once, because of the liquid consistency of the mixture, the corner will be deformed, so you can take a long time with this section and still not achieve the desired result.

Litochrom grout has another distinctive feature - to obtain an even seam within an hour, the surface is wetted with a spray gun and smoothed with a finger.

Removing plaque

During the day, the grout will harden and you can begin to remove the epoxy plaque with Litonet. The price for it is quite high, but given that it is concentrated, it will last for a very long time.

The surface is sprayed with the agent, aged and cleaned.
Abundant foam is removed with a vacuum cleaner or self-squeezing mop.
A cellulose sponge removes the remnants of sand and plaque.

For glossy tiles, the agent is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 4. Matte surfaces are cleaned with a concentrate or diluted 1 to 1 agent.

While the surface dries, you need to check if there is any plaque left. If it is slightly washed out with water or the grouting was carried out on clinker, terracotta or clay tiles, then it may be necessary to clean it several times.

To remove plaque, you can use Litostrip gel, but not earlier than a day after grouting.

Summarizing

Working with epoxy grout has its own difficulties - you need to clean and dry the surface, it is difficult to clean plaque, the inability to form internal corners within one day, the need to use large amounts of water for washing. In addition, the high price, strong seams and laborious process do not allow you to make a mistake, because correcting errors will cost much more.

But there are also undoubted advantages - dirt does not accumulate in the seams, they are easy to clean, do not change color when wet, and can be washed by any means. After processing, the seams look like plastic, a little rough, which is why it can have a rough surface.

To choose epoxy grout for grouting or not - everyone makes their own decision.

When choosing grout for tiles, you need to find the best manufacturer who guarantees a quality composition. It is important that the grout meets all the required technical characteristics, and also has good aesthetic properties. These requirements are perfectly met by the modern epoxy grout of the company Litokol (Litokol).

Litokol is an Italian manufacturer that supplies high-quality products to the construction market. In the article, we will consider the features of the grout mixture for Litokol tiles, get acquainted with the recommendations for its application and find out how much it will cost us to purchase this mixture.

Features grout Litokol (Litokol Starlike)

The word "Litokol" in translation means "glue for stone." This is a telling name - after all, the grout of this brand can really be used as an adhesive - it will quite reliably attach the tile to any surface. It should be noted that the company was the first in its industry to apply and use the ISO 9001 system for quality control. This indicates the responsibility of the manufacturer and guarantees reliable product quality.

Let's figure out what technical and aesthetic characteristics made this grout a leader in the Russian market of finishing materials.

In the photo - epoxy grout for tiles litokol

Grout Litokol It is an epoxy based mixture. It is not afraid of acids and alkalis, is very resistant to moisture, convenient and safe. A two-component composition consists of: the first is a mixture of ingredients of the composition, and the second is a catalyst that binds together the components and gives a plastic consistency to the composition.

Properties and benefits of the composition

The waterproofness of Litokol grout is worthy of all praise. It is guaranteed to protect surfaces from moisture penetration, the appearance of fungus, mold, defects and tile loss.

After drying, the grout acquires significant mechanical strength, which allows it to reliably bind the tiles of the wall or floor covering into a single whole, preventing them from falling apart into separate parts. In addition, after drying, the grout cannot even be scratched, it becomes so hard. Cracks on its surface also do not form over time.

The grout has good elasticity, which makes it comfortable to work with. The composition is unique in that it can also be used as an adhesive.

Video: grouting

On the video epoxy grout for litokol tiles:

The composition is able to withstand significant temperature overload. So, it can easily withstand temperatures from minus 20 to plus 100 degrees.

Epoxy grout Litokol, namely Litochrome Starlike - is resistant to UV radiation. Over time, it does not fade, does not turn yellow, does not lose any of its other properties.

Environmental friendliness. Litokol grout is completely safe, it does not contain toxic or harmful components, as well as ingredients that cause asthma and allergies.

Over time, the seams treated with Litokol grout will not fade and will not lose their color, the tiles can be safely washed with any chemical detergents, even very aggressive and caustic ones - the epoxy composition is not afraid of them.

Grout is great for both interior decorating and exterior - there are no restrictions in this regard. Ideal for almost all building and finishing materials: stone tiles, tiles, ceramics, marble and other materials. Even for finicky mosaics, this grout will work, making the seams neat and inconspicuous.

Grout Litokol has a huge selection of shades and textures. So the buyer can choose from any color, including gold and metallic options. The grout with a luminescent effect looks very nice - after the light is turned off, the room begins to mysteriously shine. Bronze, gold and silver grout Litokol is also beyond praise - the bathroom will immediately acquire a luxurious, magnificent appearance.

In the photo - epoxy grout litokol litochrom starlike

Application area

For which surfaces Litokol epoxy composition can be used, consider:

How to apply

Consider how to use the Litokol epoxy composition, and what are the features of its operation.

Before applying the mixture to the seams, the latter must be prepared properly. Namely, to remove the old coating, dirt, glue and cement screed residues. Only on a clean surface will the grout stay for the amount of time guaranteed by the manufacturer.

To prepare the composition, a catalyst is added to the paste with the components, and the whole mixture is thoroughly mixed. Inside the bucket with the mixture is a small bag of catalyst. In order for the “process to start”, you just need to pour this bag into a bucket and squeeze it to the maximum.

After a while, you can apply grout to the seams. Attention: it is not recommended to stir the mixture by hand, it is better to do it with a mechanical drill-mixer. It is important that the components are thoroughly mixed with each other - in this case, the mixture will be uniform and of high quality.

On the video application of epoxy grout:

Do not use solvents, water, any other additional components when preparing the mixture. Any addition of excess ingredients can greatly impair the adhesive, aesthetic and strength characteristics of the grout.

For application, use a special wide spatula. The grout is applied diagonally across the seams of the tiles. In the process, it is constantly necessary to remove excess so that there are no large sagging on the surface of the tile. It is necessary to apply the composition as evenly as possible so that the overall impression of the result of the work is organic.

After grouting has been applied to all joints, it is necessary to clean the surface of the tile from dirt and stains left by the grout within 45 minutes. This must be done quickly, after hardening, the epoxy mixture will be difficult to tear off with anything, only with caustic solvents. To make the tile surface clean, you need to use a damp cloth or a rubber spatula dipped in water and remove the grout in a wide circular motion.

To bring the tile to a shine and completely rid it of stains, smudges and residues of the composition, you must use Litonet - a special cleaner that is designed for this grout. They need to moisten the sponge and carefully wipe the tile over the entire treated surface until you see the desired result.

Then you need to wait for the mixture to dry completely. The duration of the wait depends on several factors: it is important that the room has a suitable temperature - from plus 16 to plus 25 degrees. And second: different grout compositions dry out differently.

After the cleansing activities are completed, it is recommended to walk on the tiles no earlier than a day later. And for the composition to finally harden, it will take about 5 days.

The consumption of the grout mixture depends on the width of the tile used. It is clear that the larger the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe tile, the less grouting it will need, and vice versa - the smaller the tile, the more bonding grouting compound will be needed. The width of the seams between the tiles is also important.

Instructions on how to properly grout tiles

According to the instructions, it is necessary that when working in the room the air temperature should be from plus 16 to plus 25 degrees. Less is no longer too good - the technical characteristics of the composition may become worse in this case. The fact is that the epoxy base of the mixture tends to harden at low temperatures - the composition in a cool room will become too viscous, it will be inconvenient to work with it.

After preparation, the mixture must be used within 40-50 minutes, after which it will become of little use, having lost some of its important properties, including the ability for high-quality adhesion. Allow for this amount of time when preparing the mixture and do not cook more if you feel that you may not have time to work out all the mixture well.

How Diamond Epoxy Grout is used and where it can be applied is described in this

But what kind of grout for natural stone is the best and what colors exist, is described in this

But what and how to determine the required amount, this article will help to understand.

What carries out its production and what is the cost of such material, is described in this article.

epoxy cost

Among the variety of grouts from Litokol, Litochrome Starlike grout is very popular due to its versatility and reliability. It has a rich range of shades, a good price, the grout is easy to use, safe, has enhanced aesthetic and strength characteristics. Let's find out how much it will cost us to purchase a grout of this brand.

It should be noted right away that in many respects the price will depend on what type of composition you choose. Well, from the weight of the package - it is clear that the greater the weight of the packaged products, the cheaper the price and vice versa.

So, the average price of a 2.5 kilogram can of Lithochrome Starlike epoxy grout in a neutral shade will cost the buyer, on average, 2400 rubles. A five-kilogram package will cost 4000-4100 rubles. Agree, the savings are significant - it is more profitable to buy large volumes than several small ones.

Lithochrome Starlike dazzling white with a capacity of 2.5 kg will cost 2700 rubles.

Interesting and unusual colors, such as turquoise, lilac and others, will cost a little more than the usual neutral browns and beiges. Their average price for a 2.5 kg jar is 2500 rubles. Crystal clear grout weighing 5 kg will cost around 4800 rubles.

STARLIKE is a two-component acid-resistant epoxy mortar for laying glass mosaics, tiles and grouting tile joints with a width of 1 to 15 mm, for indoor and outdoor use.

It is a premium design product with a unique range of colors and exclusive visuals.

The STARLIKE product line (STARLIKE, STARLIKE CRYSTAL, STARLIKE COLOR CRYSTAL, STARLIKE DEFENDER, STARLIKE FINISHES) is the undisputed leader among popular analogues in the premium segment.

STARLIKE solves several problems at once: laying tiles and mosaics, grouting tile joints, finishing walls. The wide scope and versatility of the product make it possible to use it at various facilities, including wet rooms, rooms with increased hygiene requirements, aggressive chemical environments, intensive operational
mi loads. Suitable for professional use.

Component A is a mixture of epoxy resin, silicon fillers and additives. Component B is a hardener. After mixing components A and B, a composition is obtained that can be used as a tile adhesive or grout.

STARLIKE complies with class RG - reactive resin based grout (R) for tile joints (G).
STARLIKE is an R2T grade - reactive resin adhesive (R) of improved quality (2), with zero vertical slip (T).

STARLIKE/STARLIKE DEFENDER can be used for laying tiles or mosaics on the following types of substrates:

• cement screeds and plasters LITOPLAN, LITOPLAN RAPID;
• cement screeds with water or electric heating;
• floors leveled with self-levelling mixtures LITOLIV S5, LITOLIV S30;
• concrete surfaces;
• drywall, GVL, LSU, ATSEID, chipboard, DSP, OSB;
• existing coatings of tiles, porcelain stoneware, natural stone when laying a new tile coating using the “tile on tile” method;
• surfaces with waterproofing coatings made with ELASTOCEM, ELASTOCEM MONO compositions.

• ceramic tile;
• acid-resistant clinker;
• porcelain stoneware;
• a natural stone;
• mosaic glass and ceramic.

Main characteristics

Classification according to EN 13888: class RG - reactive grout for tile joints

Technical information

• Complete freedom in choosing a shade. The STARLIKE color palette includes 152 original shades and unlimited design possibilities with STARLIKE FINISHES decorative additives for unique optical effects. The effects of sparkling gold chips, pearly sheen, noble play of bronze, platinum, copper, mysterious glow in the dark open up wide opportunities for the implementation of any, even the most daring ideas, and emphasize the individuality of the interior. STARLIKE CRYSTAL transparent grout with chameleon effect is ideal for creating mosaic panels, illuminated decorative elements and art objects. Colored translucent grout STARLIKE COLOR CRYSTAL "adjusts" to the color of the mosaic within one gamut, which allows you to get the "tone on tone" effect.

• Ease of use and cleaning. Due to its plasticity, the composition is easy to apply, completely filling the seams and just as easy to clean. Unlike other epoxy grouts, the use of STARLIKE allows you to reduce the time of the master's work by 15-20%.

• Excellent chemical resistance. Resistance to aggressive environments makes STARLIKE indispensable for exterior and interior decoration of business facilities and industrial enterprises. STARLIKE is the ideal solution for facings that require high chemical resistance to alkalis, acids and other aggressive substances (laboratories, production shops, car services, car washes and many others).

• High mechanical strength. Thanks to its formula, the composition provides a reliable and durable coating. The absence of cracks or voids after hardening allows you to achieve guaranteed high quality work.

• Color constancy. All colors of the STARLIKE collections are protected from UV rays, thus preventing surface yellowing caused by UV radiation.

• Weather resistant. The composition is intended for use not only for indoor, but also for outdoor work, due to its resistance to changes in humidity, temperature fluctuations, exposure to precipitation and sunlight.

• Security. STARLIKE does not have a negative impact on the environment and human health.

• Antibacterial properties. STARLIKE is the ideal solution for kitchens, food industries and restaurants. It is suitable for finishing workshops in the food industry. The composition is recommended for surfaces in direct contact with food and does not adversely affect food. STARLIKE DEFENDER is the only epoxy in the world that kills 99.9% of bacteria. It provides high hygiene in operating rooms, perinatal centers, kindergartens and any medical institutions.

• Saving time. Using STARLIKE significantly saves time, since the start of operation is possible after 24 hours.

• Compatibility with various types of cladding. The composition is suitable for working with a wide range of types of cladding: glass and ceramic mosaics, ceramic tiles, acid-resistant clinker, porcelain stoneware, natural stone.

Consistency of the mixture: component
A: colored thick paste
B: thick liquid LITOCHROM STARLIKE/STARLIKE® DEFENDER classification according to EN 13888: class RG - reactive tile grout LITOCHROM STARLIKE/ STARLIKE® DEFENDER classification according to EN 12004: class R2T - reactive advanced adhesive with zero vertical slip. Grouting: floor cladding with standard setting adhesive: after 24 hours;
floor cladding with fast setting adhesive: after 4 hours; floor cladding for mortar: after 7-10 days; wall cladding with standard setting adhesive: after 6-8 hours; wall cladding with fast setting adhesive: after 4 hours; wall cladding mortar: after 2-3 days Dilution ratio: component A - 100 parts by weight
component B - 8 parts by weight
both components are packaged in the required ratio Specific gravity of the solution: 1.55 kg/l Application time at t° +23 °C: approx. 60 minutes Application temperature: from +12 to +30 °C after 24 hours Working load (finally hardened): after 5 days at t° +23 °C,
after 10 days at t° +15 °C Joint width: 1 to 15 mm Consumption when using LITOCHROM STARLIKE as adhesive: 1.6 kg/m2 (comb size 4 mm) Shear adhesion (EN 12003) : Initial/ After immersion in water / After thermal shock: > 2 N/mm² / > 2 N/mm² / > 2 N/mm² Abrasion resistance (EN 12808-2): 30 N/mm² Mechanical resistance to compression after 28 days under standard conditions (EN 12808-3): > 45 N/mm² Shrinkage (EN 12808-4): standard pallet 260 kg
plastic bucket 2.5 kg,
standard pallet 375 kg
plastic bucket 5 kg,
standard pallet 450 kg
plastic bucket 10 kg,
standard pallet 640 kg

STARLIKE / STARLIKE DEFENDER is used in cases where, according to the operating conditions, high demands are placed on the lined surface and tile joints in terms of chemical resistance to alkalis, acids and other aggressive substances:

• For interior and exterior use.
• For use on vertical and horizontal surfaces, on surfaces with a positive and negative angle of inclination.
• For laying tiles and grouting tile joints when facing walls and floors in poultry farms, livestock farms and slaughterhouses;
• For laying acid-resistant ceramic tiles and grouting tile joints at food industry enterprises - meat processing plants, cold storage plants, dairies, cheese dairies, bakeries, canning factories, breweries, wineries, wine cellars, freezers.
• For laying acid-resistant ceramic tiles and grouting tile surfaces in contact with aggressive chemicals - in chemical laboratories, in workshops for the production of household and industrial chemicals, in car services, in garages, in battery rooms, at car washes.
• For laying acid-resistant ceramic tiles and grouting tiles in containers and tanks intended for the storage of chemically aggressive liquids, as well as in trays and channels intended for draining or conveying chemically aggressive liquids (see chemical resistance table).
• Airports, railway stations, subway stations, commercial and shopping malls,
• In the kitchens of catering establishments (restaurants, canteens, cafes).
• For laying mosaics (glass, ceramic, porcelain stoneware, metal) and grouting tile joints when facing this mosaic in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, pools with thermal and sea water, water parks, saunas, Turkish baths (hamams), fountains .
• For grouting tile joints when facing with ceramic tiles, clinker, porcelain stoneware, natural stone, agglomerated stone walls and floors in kitchens, bathrooms, showers, swimming pools, pools with thermal and sea water, water parks, saunas, Turkish baths (hamams), fountains.
• For grouting tile joints when facing with ceramic tiles, porcelain stoneware, natural stone of terraces, balconies, exploited roofs, entrance groups of buildings, plinths and facades of buildings.
• For grouting tile joints on foundations subjected to deformation loads - floors with water and electric heating, drywall constructions, GVL, LSU, ATSEID, chipboard, DSP, OSB.