Desperately need help!!

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boodles

New member
So, this is my first time creating a Viv for my Leo. At this rate, I think it will be the only time. It looks great from a distance but there's so much wrong with it up close. I really need some help. I added a picture of the design from a distance right after it was grouted before I ran into these two disastrous problems.
image.jpg image.jpg

My first problem is that I finally got it all cut out, some troubles but got everything cut exactly how i wanted it. Now i did the grouting but as soon as I move any pieces or bump them or anything, all the grout chips off!! I've wasted so much time, and spent over $200 doing all this to make it perfect only so my work can be ruined by the grout. Any suggestions why it's chipping apart? I've added a picture to show.
image.jpg

My next problem is that when I put sealer on it, it all turned like a white hazy colour, any ideas why or how to freaking fix it? I added a picture of this too.
image.jpg image.jpg

Gah! I'm so frustrated! Any help is really appreciated. I have it just the way I want and am so proud but the grout and seal job is ruining it all!​
 
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T

tims95

New member
What is the grout being applied to? It has troubles with smooth surfaces, so roughing them up would help. Also, more layers, 5 is ideal, starting with watery and getting thicker with the fifth, it should be solid.
 
B

boodles

New member
Styrofoam. I made sure to sand away all the smooth spots before I started grouting. That's 4 layers on there now :(
 
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boodles

New member
Sanded. From what I understand both would work, I chose sanded because a) I ha a free bag given to me and b) because I like the texture ALOT more.
 
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tims95

New member
Im also using sanded, agree on the texture, and free is always good. Did it crumble before you sealed it?
 
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boodles

New member
Ok... Will be sanding off the white sealer spots, I guess ill try another 2 layers of grout, hopefully it doesn't make everything to big to fit nice. Found a better 'sealer' not intended for grout but the building place says it will work because I'm not needing the grout to withstand real wear and tear , just a little gecko...
 
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marketingman

New member
Have you tried using cement instead of grout? I used QUIKRETE® Quick-Setting Cement ($10 at Home Depot for small bucket) with QUIKRETE® Acrylic Fortifier ($7 at Home Depot) and it worked perfectly on styrofoam.

1st coat was 2 parts cement to 1 part fortifier, next was 3:1, next was 4:1 and final was 5:1. The styrofoam I was cementing over was part regular white styrofoam sheets I got at home depot for a few bucks and the other parts were shaved down Great Stuff.

I let each layer set for a day before applying the next layer (with a paintbrush) and sprayed it with a squirt bottle filled with water 5 times per day between layers.

This is my first build and I got all that info after reading about a million threads from people on various forums. Seriously, it worked like a charm!
 
cricket4u

cricket4u

New member
marketingman said:
Have you tried using cement instead of grout? I used QUIKRETE® Quick-Setting Cement ($10 at Home Depot for small bucket) with QUIKRETE® Acrylic Fortifier ($7 at Home Depot) and it worked perfectly on styrofoam.

1st coat was 2 parts cement to 1 part fortifier, next was 3:1, next was 4:1 and final was 5:1. The styrofoam I was cementing over was part regular white styrofoam sheets I got at home depot for a few bucks and the other parts were shaved down Great Stuff.

I let each layer set for a day before applying the next layer (with a paintbrush) and sprayed it with a squirt bottle filled with water 5 times per day between layers.

This is my first build and I got all that info after reading about a million threads from people on various forums. Seriously, it worked like a charm!
Click to expand...

Hello,

How long have you been using this in reptile enclosures? Any chipping?

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-J2-FastSettingConcrete.pdf

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-H1-ConcreteAcrylicFortifier.pdf
 
M

marketingman

New member
cricket4u said:
Hello,

How long have you been using this in reptile enclosures? Any chipping?

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-J2-FastSettingConcrete.pdf

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-H1-ConcreteAcrylicFortifier.pdf
Click to expand...

This is my first attempt with this method so I cannot speak to how long it will last. However, I did a ton of research on this method before doing it. Many of the people at Dendroboard use this and I didn't hear any mention of chipping. I know that when I've had to make changes to it during the build that I've had to take a screwdriver and chisel away with some force to get it to break apart. One thing I noticed that I would have done differently is let the Great Stuff cure longer. I waited about 24 hours before applying cement and it expanded more and cracked the cement in some areas. In hindsight, I should have doubled the cure time for the Great Stuff.

My next steps with this is to paint completely with acrylic craft paint and then seal with krylon polyurethane sealer.
 
M

marketingman

New member
cricket4u said:
Hello,

How long have you been using this in reptile enclosures? Any chipping?

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-J2-FastSettingConcrete.pdf

http://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/MSDS-H1-ConcreteAcrylicFortifier.pdf
Click to expand...

This is my first attempt with this method and no chipping so far. However, I'm still in the build phase so I can't speak to how it holds up. I did a ton of research on this method before doing it, many people over at Dendroboard use it and I haven't heard any mention of chipping.
 
AlaskanBlizzard907

AlaskanBlizzard907

New member
If your still having an issue, an i'm not too late...from my artist background with any type of painting...if the layers don't cure right you will get cracking for ever.....you have one of two options that i've dealt with in the past.....take off all falling off an flaking parts like scarping paint off a fence..not all just what ever comes off easily then re-do an let cure with even coat.....second option is you can put a THICK layer of sealant all over it, at one time..as much coverage as can...then when that hardens up it will act as a shield an lock all the loose an cracking stuff in an on the setup......I use modge-podge for mine, it's made for sealing puzzles but you can put it on super thick an it dries clear no matter how thick....u won't get that foggy look...an it moves easily when painting it on.... thanks! an hope it helps ya
 
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