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Fixing down sanded grout

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Fixing down sanded grout
Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:20 PM
I put down cardboard strips with hot glue.  Covered that with plaster gauze.  Covered that with a thin layer of plaster.  Then painted it over with a tan latex base color.  I sprinkled the sanded grout onto the wet paint.    I tried brushing off what didn't stick.  I had to add more sanded grout - there were a lot of bare spots.    After adding more so that the ground was fully covered, I wetted it well with a spray mist with a little detergent so it would soak in.  But at least on the surface, the sand isn't fixed.   I can deform it with my figures.  Sounds like I've done much of what you listed, but at this point...
 

 

What I need is to fix what I've applied as mentioned in the earlier post.  I assume I'll have to wet it with a dilute adhesive?
 
 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by wjstix on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 4:31 PM

Yes once you spray the grout with 'wet water' (water with detergent or alcohol) you would spray or drizzle on (like with a eyedropper) some type of adhesive, like white glue and water, Matte Medium, Woodland Scenic's Scenic Cement, etc. 

Stix
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Thursday, May 2, 2024 9:01 AM

Any suggestions on what is an economical mix for this?  I have a lot of area to cover!  Using an eyedropper to cover the entire area sounds like it would take forever to do!

 

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, May 2, 2024 12:02 PM

I just brush on white glue and then sprinkled the grout or whatever around. Then I use various colour washes in old spray bottles to vary the colour. The washes can be as subtle as you like. I find the washes will stick down what the glue hasn't. I generally use grout and thin-set left over from renovation projects and at times the colours were horrid so once down I hit them with the airbrush.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, May 2, 2024 6:31 PM

So you are using sanded grout as ground cover?

Interesting?

Sheldon

    

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Posted by reasearchhound on Thursday, May 2, 2024 11:27 PM

I used dark gray sanded grout for my gravel roads. I sprinkle it on, use a small paint brush to get it where I want as well as create some slight ruts and then spray on wet water. I then apply a white glue and water mix using a plastic squeeze bottle with a smallish tip that allows me to control the amount of application. You could maybe try using a baster to apply the glue mix if you need to speed things but I find it spreads out pretty fast and thoroughly if the grout has been well saturated with the wet water. 

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Posted by wjstix on Friday, May 3, 2024 9:05 AM

I've used different colors of sanded grout on my layout for quite a while, one of the model mags (can't remember which one) had an article about using it maybe 10 years ago. 

Ideally you'd spread something like white glue full strength first, then sprinkle on the grout, then maybe come back the next day with a spray of wet water and adding some more glue or matte medium etc. But since the OP already has the grout in place, the only option (other than starting over) is the wet water / glue.

reasearchhound
You could maybe try using a baster to apply the glue mix if you need to speed things but I find it spreads out pretty fast and thoroughly if the grout has been well saturated with the wet water. 

That's been my experience too. The wet water makes the glue or matte medium to spread out, so doing it with an eyedropper works well. You can find a bigger version, I've used a larger all-rubber one that I think came with a fluid for cleaning your ears. I tend to shy away from spraying the glue mix unless it's a huge area, because the glue then gets on everything (like track/rails) and has to be cleaned off. 

Elmer's white glue is the cheapest way, at a hardware or big-box store (Menards, Fleet Farm etc.) you can get a big jug of it that will last for years and years for a decent price. I think matte medium or one of the similar products (like Woodland Scenics makes) is better because they dry kinda rubbery - white glue is a bit brittle and if you bump the scenery it can come loose in small chunks. 

Stix
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Saturday, May 11, 2024 7:45 AM

Some are saying what they do first before putting the sanded grout down.  Mine is already down, but I did sprinkle it over wet latex so some would stick but at the surface it's still not fixed, I can deform it with a finger.  What seems evident is I will need to fix it down with a dilute white glue or similar.  I have a bottle of matt Mod Podge.  What would be a good ratio to mix it down with?  1 part matt Mod Podge to 3 or 4 parts water with a couple drops of detergent to break up any surface tension?

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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Posted by AEP528 on Monday, May 13, 2024 9:22 AM

I'd question if the plaster absorbed the latext paint faster than the grout could. I've never tried that, always applying slightly diluted white glue over an already painted surface before sprinkling on the grout.

As for why I use grout - well, a few years ago I was able to find a dark brown grout for $15 for a 25lb bag. Short of drying and filtering dirt myself (not so easy as I live in an area with high clay content) or mixing my own with plaster, sand, and dry pigment, I can't think of a less expensive product.

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Posted by wjstix on Monday, May 13, 2024 9:49 AM

riogrande5761
I have a bottle of matt Mod Podge.  What would be a good ratio to mix it down with?  1 part matt Mod Podge to 3 or 4 parts water with a couple drops of detergent to break up any surface tension?

I like to keep them separate. I would wet the area with wet water - water with a little alcohol or detergent - completely first. Then while it's still wet, drizzle on the Mod Podge. The wet water will dilute the Mod Podge so you don't want to dilute it. 

Stix
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Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, May 13, 2024 8:49 PM

I ended  up diluting matt Mod Podge 1:3.5 water.  I added a couple drops dish detergent and I used a one of those bulbs used for rinsing ears.  I could suck up the solution and drizzle it on.  It soaked in readily.  I've covered about 1/4 of the surface so far.  After drying overnight it seems to have fixed the sanded grout down well.  

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

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