Grout Cleaning For best results, remove grout haze AS YOU WORK, particularly in warm or dry climates. If working alone, only grout as far as you can reach (10-12 square foot area) before initial cleaning. If working as a team, one person should grout, with the other(s) cleaning immediately behind the first person. • Rinse sponge in water and wring out completely. Since urethane grout requires very little water during cleanup, make sure that the sponge is wrung nearly dry. Wipe lightly, leaving sponge flat on the tile surface to prevent grout removal from joints. Excessive water during cleanup can dilute the urethane binder and cause curing issues that may lead to grout failure. • Wipe up spilled water immediately. Do not allow water to sit on grout surface or in ungrouted joints. • Change water mixture after each 100 square feet, for each new bucket of grout, or when dirty. • Check work as you clean. Repair any low spots with additional grout. Unlike other grouts, DO NOT over wash. • Allow cleaned areas to dry, and then inspect tile / stone surface. If a second cleaning is necessary, wait 24 hours and spray a film remover (Aqua Mix® Heavy-Duty Tile and Grout Cleaner, Miracle Tile & Stone Cleaner, or DuPont™ StoneTech® Professional KlenzAll™ Cleaner) on a white scrubby Doodlebug™ cleaning pad, rubbing the tile lightly to remove any remaining urethane haze, then using a damp sponge and clean water, wipe the surface to remove the film remover (do not flood surface with cleaner). Finish by drying the tile surface with a clean towel or cloth. Contact StarQuartz if persistent haze exists. Installation Requirements • For use in joints 1/16” or greater. Ensure that joints are well packed. Smaller joints may require extra effort. • To speed up installation, or for quarry and other porous tile and/or outdoor applications, pre-wet tile surface using clean water with a damp sponge prior to spreading grout, being careful not to leave standing water in the grout joints. • Maintain temperature above 40°F (5°C) during installation and curing. Curing • Protect finished surface from light traffic for at least 24 hours at 70°F (21°C). Heavy foot traffic requires 72 hours at 70°F and 50% relative humidity. See Limitations/Cautions below for further curing requirements. • If needed, cover ONLY with kraft or breathable paper after initial 24-hour curing period. • Full cure depends on grout depth. Normal cure of a ¼” grout joint with a 3/8” thick tile is 28 days. Showers/Steam Showers/Wet Applications • Use an approved waterproof sealer for mud bed applications and follow manufacturer’s recommendations for sealer installation. For liquid-applied waterproofing materials, apply to within 1” of any drains to prevent weep hole blockage. The use of pre-sloped, waterproof trays (instead of mud beds) is highly recommended. • Shower, steam shower, pool, fountain and wet area installations must be protected from moisture and allowed to cure for 7 days before use. Limitations/Cautions • Do not apply or clean up this product like traditional cement-based or epoxy grouts; QuartzLock Grout is a new technology that requires a simpler and easier application and clean-up process. • Follow all manufacturers’ instructions for all other setting materials, waterproofing, anti-fracture membranes, etc. to be used on the job. • Minimum recommended grout joint width is 1/16”. • Maximum recommended grout joint width is 1/2”. • Ensure that grout joints are fully packed, especially in tight and irregular joints. Take special care in all wet and outdoor applications. • Do not use as a setting mortar. • Not for use in heavy industrial applications (i.e. chemical plants), in areas subjected to harsh or persistent chemicals, or areas exposed to very aggressive cleaning routines such as steam or pressure washing. • QuartzLock Grout is not a replacement for a waterproofing membrane. When a waterproofing system solution is required, please contact StarQuartz Technical Service. • Protect grout from staining agents and chemicals during the cure process. • Grouting when tile surface is above 90°F (32°C) is not recommended. Cool tile surface with damp sponge if tile surface is above 90°F (32°C). Be careful not to add excessive water during the tile cooling process. • Do not use vinegar or acid solutions for clean-up; this could damage uncured grout. • Always use protective clothing (gloves and eye protection) when working with grout. • Prior to regrouting applications, remove 1/8” of old grout and any surface contaminants. Be sure to rinse any residual solvent/cleaner off grout joints, then allow joints to completely dry before re-grouting. • Do not use for commercial or wet environment re-grouting installations, including showers, steam showers, and outdoor applications. • Seal porous tile surfaces with a water-based sealer, including the sides of the stone, prior to grouting with QuartzLock Grout. • Outdoor installations must be protected from moisture (rain) for 7 days. If rain is forecast within 7 days, protect by tenting the grouted area (at least 1 foot above surface). • Not for use in hot tubs. • Wait 7 days before rigorously cleaning tile and grout surface. • Wait 7 days prior to exposing grout to full submersion. • Use care on soft, highly polished surfaces to avoid scratching. Test a small area. Use of a sealer is always recommended on polished marble, stone, slate and other natural, porous tiles. • Use of enzymatic floor cleaners will void all warranties. • Do not ingest. Keep out of the reach of children. • Do not use StarCure® Urethane Grout Cure Accelerator. • Do not use solvent-based adhesives or sealers with QuartzLock Grout. • Protect grout from freezing. Do not grout outdoors or in unheated areas when temperatures are expected to be below 40°F (5°C) within 3 days. If product freezes, return to room temperature and use as directed. • For Chemical Emergency, call CHEMTREC 24 hours, (800) 424-9300 in North America, (703) 527-3887 International (collect). • For more information, consult the MSDS for this product.