StarQuartz QuartzLock 2 Review

angus242

So your finger nails look all gothic

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Angus
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PrecisionFloors

Go hang out at Home Depot

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Bud Cline

More than less. I find black grout to be very irritating, in more ways than one.

brendanstl

I'll have to try this out, sounds like the cleaning may suck. For those of you that are complaining about epoxy grout being too expensive, check this place out http://www.tilestoreonline.com/Epoxy_Grout_s/30.htm . I use to use sanded and epoxy about 50/50 on my jobs now all I use is epoxy after I found this place.

angus242

Cleaning is actually very easy, as long as you do it often. Spread maybe 6 sq ft. Wipe. Repeat. Easy!

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Angus
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srwcontracting

disadvantages:
-availability
-long term durability
-air-cured needs 7 days dry time before introducing water (wet locations).


7 days Really!! I've just started using this stuff myself and think its awsome....The color uniformity is amazing!

I just can't see how after 3 days its going to make a difference. Has anyone run into a problem with not waiting?

Bud Cline

Did you read the recommendations that come with the product? Read the instructions. It takes three days before heavy traffic and twenty-two days for full cure. Why try to screw up a good thing by getting impatient?

angus242

For me, no. When I do a shower, it's usually custom. Therefore, my glass guy doesn't come out to template until the shower is tiled. From that point, it's usually 7-10 days before they install. No issues with cure time there.

I have been using QuartzLock 2 since it came out and I can say it is an improvement over the original formula. I actually used some today. I used my paddle mixer to stir it up. A small dime-sized chunk fell off and when I was done grouting 2 hours later I noticed laying on the floor. It was very hard. I can't say cured but neither me or the home owner could smash it. One of the experiments I do for home owners is take 2 pieces of tile (small, under 3"x3"), lay them down and add grout between them. The next day, those 2 pieces of tile are stuck together. You can hold it horizontally and the joint doesn't bend, break or budge. I have even shook them a bit and they stay adhered.

It's definitely my grout of choice.

In the long run, I think it all evens out. I'd rather the easy of installation and "pay" with the total cure time.

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Angus
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angus242

Working Time - 3 hrs

Tack‐Free Time - 8 hrs
Ready for light foot traffic - 24 hrs

Ready for heavy foot traffic (as in commercial)- 72 hrs

Stain resistant (food, cleaners, etc.) - 3 days

Showers, Outdoors, Pools, Fountains and Wet Area Installations - 7 days


Don't cementitious grouts take 28 days to fully cure?

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Angus
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Bud Cline

Technically that's true but who pays any attention to that? Everything has to be done yesterday it seems. Whatever happened to taking the time to do a job right and being patient? I would hope the manufacturers of these products would know their products and know what's best to achieve the desired results.

My customers always ask my recommendations for first use and maintenance. Even with (especially with) Portland grout I tell them to wait three days to flood an area or use a driving spray on it. I assume they all respect those recommendations.

Bill_Vincent

Better late than never, right?

You might want to check over to John Bridge's Pros forum. There are a couple of threads over there full of horror stories about showers where supposedly they didn't wait long enough. That's the only problem I have with this stuff. I've used it once, and I found out real quick that I needed to jump back and wash a little more often than normal. Once I got past that, though, it was pretty simple to use.

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Joshthetileguy

Just got some samples of the Quartzlock, just wondering if anyone has used this in their own home. I was curious about the self-sealing properties. Anybody seen how it looks after some heavy use?

angus242

Josh,

I've tiled a countertop in my house and used Quartzlock. I beat it up pretty good. Since July, I have not been able to stain it nor get it to crack.

I'm absolutely sold on the stuff. Now, I'd like to do some wet testing. Still trying to figure out how to accomplish that. I used it in a shower I built last June. I revisited the site a few months ago and all is well!

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Angus
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"Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"

goneelkn

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how about cardboard box, kerdi the sides, and tile/grout the bottom, then fill it up???

angus242

That would be quite the submersed test! I was thinking something more of a wet/dry out situation like a shower would be. I suppose I could just tile directly to CBU, grout and place outside for a few months.

That or take the tile board in with me every time I shower!

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Angus
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goneelkn

must be one heck of a mosaic!!!

Bill_Vincent

[quote=Angus]I used it in a shower I built last June. I revisited the site a few months ago and all is well! [/quot]

Angus, from what I've seen and heard, the trick seems to be waiting the week till it's fully cured before letting moisture near it. After that, it's supposed to be pretty much bulletproof. Atleast I HOPE it is!! I just did a shower a couple of weeks ago where the whole thing was 2x2's all grouted with the Quartz-Lock.

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angus242

Bill,

There was a difference between QuartzLock 1 & 2. The shower I did was with version 1 (+ the additive). I know there were reports of issues with that combo. For version 2, I've done probably close to 2000 sq ft of tile with it and it has been all good; glass, porcelain, stone and even metal.

I tell customers to wait 3 full days before introducing water and 7 days for and standing liquids. Also, what type of cleaners can be used on it are important. I make sure to give each customer the "how to maintain" sheet with each job.

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Angus
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Bud Cline

...and you guys are using this product on shower ceilings? How the hell are you getting it to stay in place?

angus242

Um, nope. That's one place I haven't used it.

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Angus
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"Promise only what you can deliver. Then deliver more than you promise"