MAPEI Flexcolor CQ
Ready-to-Use Grout with Color-Coated Quartz
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is a professional-grade, ready-to-use specialty grout for precision commercial and residential installations with porcelain, ceramic and natural-stone tiles. MAPEI Flexcolor CQ can be used to grout interior/exterior tile, and its dense composition helps to prevent water-based stains by providing water repellency to the grout surface. MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is formulated with the latest innovation in quartz aggregate, which ensures color consistency, ease of cleanability and improved workability. In addition, this grout can be used on sensitive tile surfaces once tested, requires no sealer and cures naturally from evaporation of the low level of water in the formulation.
Comparison testing of MAPEI Flexcolor CQ versus traditional Portland-cement grout has verified that MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is 30% more cost-efficient (based on typical rates of installers) and requires 65% less time to install.
Available Colors
FAQs
Can Type 1™ mastic also be used as a grout?
MAPEI's Type 1 should not be used as grout. For convenience, MAPEI offers MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ, which is a ready-to-use (premixed) grout.
Can Keracolor® S be used in joints 1/8" (3 mm) or smaller?
MAPEI's Keracolor S contains sand. So, when it is used for joints narrower than 1/8" (3 mm), it will be difficult to pack the grout fully into the joint. This often results in voids below the surface of the grout, which turn into areas of missing grout over time. It is best to use MAPEI's Keracolor U, Ultracolor® Plus FA or MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout for joints less than 1/8" (3 mm) wide.
Can Keracolor® S be used to grout unfilled travertine and limestone tile?
It is best to use MAPEI's Keracolor U grout or MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout when grouting unfilled travertine tile.
Can I use Keracolor® S with installations of glass tile?
MAPEI's Keracolor S grout contains sand and may scratch glass surfaces. It is best to use Keracolor U grout for glass tile and delicate glass tile. If a sanded appearance is desired, a colored-quartz (CQ) grout, such as MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ, can sometimes be used successfully, but a test panel should be grouted and inspected for unacceptable scratching before grouting.
Can I use Keracolor® S with glossy wall tile?
MAPEI's Keracolor S grout contains sand and may scratch delicate finishes. It is best to use Keracolor U grout for glossy wall tile. If a sanded appearance is desired, a colored-quartz (CQ) grout, such as MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ, can sometimes be used successfully, but a test panel should be grouted and inspected for unacceptable scratching before grouting.
Is Keracolor® S recommended with wood-look tile?
It is best to use MAPEI's Ultracolor® Plus FA grout or MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout for grouting installations of wood-look plank tile.
Can Keracolor® U be used in joints 1/8" (3 mm) or larger?
When MAPEI's Keracolor U is used for joints wider than 1/8" (3 mm), it may result in hairline cracks and the grout may dry to a level lower than the height of the surface of the tile. It is best to use MAPEI's Keracolor S, Ultracolor® Plus FA or MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout for joints more than 1/8" (3 mm) wide.
Is Keracolor® U recommended with wood-look tile?
It is best to use MAPEI's Ultracolor® Plus FA, MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ or Kerapoxy® CQ grout for grouting installations of wood-look plank tile.
Can I use MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ with installations of natural stone?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ contains a color-coated quartz aggregate. So, it is a great choice for grouting most installations of natural stone. When grouting installations of polished stone tile, it is recommended to build a mockup (sample board) or, at the very least, test MAPEI Flexcolor CQ in an inconspicuous area before grouting.
Can MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ be used to grout unfilled travertine and limestone tile?
If the desired look is to fill the voids and pitted areas, MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout is a great choice. Choose a color of MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout that most closely resembles the color of the travertine or limestone tile.
Can MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ be used to grout pebble tile?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout is not recommended for grouting installations of pebble stone and river rock mosaics. It is best to use MAPEI's Ultracolor® Plus FA grout when grouting pebble stone.
Can I use MAPEI Flexcolor CQ with installations of glass tile?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ contains a color-coated quartz aggregate. So, it is a great choice for grouting most installations of glass tile. When grouting installations of delicate glass tile, it is recommended to build a mockup (sample board) or, at the very least, test MAPEI Flexcolor CQ in an inconspicuous area before grouting.
Can I use MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ with glossy wall tile?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ contains a color-coated quartz aggregate. So, it's a great choice for most installations of glossy wall tile. When grouting installations of antique or handmade wall tile, it is recommended to build a mockup (sample board) or, at the very least, test MAPEI Flexcolor CQ in an inconspicuous area before grouting.
Is MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ recommended with wood-look tile?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout is a great choice for grouting installations of wood-look plank tile.
Can MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ be used in a pool?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout is not recommended for use in pools or other submerged areas.
Can I apply another layer of MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout will stick to itself, so repairs can be made without removal. It is important that the grout is completely clean so that nothing will interfere with the bond.
Is MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ an epoxy grout?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ is not an epoxy or a urethane grout. Rather, it is an innovative single-component grout made from a unique color-coated sand in an acrylic base.
How long does MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ need to set before cleanup?
MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout is typically ready for cleanup after only 5 minutes.
Can MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ be sealed?
Although MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout does not require a sealer, it can be sealed. Select a high-quality, water-based grout sealer and always test the sealer in a small, inconspicuous area to ensure compatibility. Please note that solvent-based sealers should not be used on MAPEI Flexcolor CQ grout.
Can Kerapoxy® CQ be used to grout unfilled travertine and limestone tile?
MAPEI's Kerapoxy CQ grout is not recommended for use with travertine and limestone tile. It is best to use MAPEI's Keracolor® U grout or MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout when grouting travertine tile and/or filling voids in travertine tile.
Can Premium Mortar also be used as a grout?
MAPEI's Premium Mortar for tile and stone should not be used as a grout. For convenience, MAPEI offers MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ, which is a ready-to-use (premixed) grout.
Can I put UltraCare® Grout Refresh™ on ready-to-use (premixed) grouts?
MAPEI's UltraCare Grout Refresh can be applied over ready-to-use (premixed) grouts, such as MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ grout. It is important for the surface of the grout to be completely clean. An alkaline-based, stone-safe cleaner is recommended for cleaning MAPEI Flexcolor CQ.
Can I use Keracolor® S to regrout over old grout?
Cement-based grouts, such as MAPEI's Keracolor S grout, will not effectively bond to themselves. So, if the existing grout is damaged, then at least 2/3 of the depth of the grout joint must be removed before regrouting. The only grout that can be successfully applied over old grout, and that will adhere and perform properly if the grout joint is not filled correctly initially, is MAPEI Flexcolor® CQ. The original and new grout must both be MAPEI Flexcolor CQ or it will not work. Note: If the existing grout is simply discolored, MAPEI's UltraCare® Grout Refresh™ can restore the look without removal of the existing grout.