How to grout a stained glass mosaic
Prior to grouting make sure that your mosaic is completely dry – best to wait at least a week to be sure!
Things that you will need:
- sanded grout – I use Polyblend from Home Depot:
- bucket with some clean water
- plastic mixing bowl or similar container
- plastic scoop
- chopsticks or a paint mixing stick
- dust mask
- rubber gloves (latex works too, but is easier to tear)
- sponge
- old t-shirts or rags
- paper towels
- old shower curtain or some other plastic to cover the working surface
Grouting step by step:
1. First cover your working space with plastic to protect it from grout – it is best to do this outside or in the basement
2. Put on your gloves and a dust mask to prevent inhalation of grout. You may also consider wearing goggles or glasses to protect your eyes
3. Scoop some grout into the mixing bowl (you can find measuring guides online, but I usually just estimate without bothering to measure)
4. Add water to the grout little by little – do not add too much water all at once, you can add more later. You want your grout to end up with the consistency of cookie dough (fairly thick)
5. Continue mixing grout until you achieve the desired consistency
6. Pour the grout onto the mosaic – be generous at this stage
7. Cover the mosaic with grout and push it into the cracks between the glass pieces
8. Once you are happy with the coverage, use the sponge to remove the thick layer of grout on top. Rinse the sponge in the bucket afterwards, so that it can be reused next time
9. Continue until you can see the glass
10. Use an old t-shirt or a rag to remove the rest of the grout from the glass
11. Your mosaic is almost ready! Once the mosaic dries a bit, you should clean it some more with a dry paper towel to remove any hazing. You can also remove any undesirable grout from the imperfections in the glass with a sewing needle.
12. Consider sealing the grout once the grout in the mosaic has cured for at least 48 hours. You can use any of the sealers sold in home improvement stores.
