Does the color of thinset change color of tile?

15 years ago

We ran out of thinset at the end of installation of out light beige granite tile and the installer bought a small can of thinset in slighly different color (white vs gray). Now the couple of tiles with different thinset look darker than the rest of the floor. So does the color of thinset change color of granite tile?

TIA.

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Comments (7)

glennsfc
15 years ago
No...what you are seeing is the optical effect of the lighter grout surrounding the tile making the tile look darker than the rest, due to a heightened contrast.

Does that answer your question?
sophie_blue
Original Author
15 years ago
Glenn,
The grout is all the same color. It's the thinset that is different.
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floorguy
15 years ago
Actually yes, it can, with Marble and some other natural stones like granite.
User
15 years ago
Thinset doesn't come in a "can". THinset comes in a bag and is mixed up on site. If it comes in a can, it's mastic, and it does not have the same properties as thinset. Thinset cures by chemical reaction, and mastic cures by dehydration. Because it is different chemically and cures differently, it can stain stone tile, sometimes permanantly. Much of the time, the darker color is caused by the fact that the mastic is still damp behind the tile. Rememember, it cures by dehydration, not chemically, so it takes a lot longer to fully cure than does real thinset. And it's also subject to becoming goopy again in the presence of moisture. That is why it should NEVER be used in a damp situation, or anywhere where moisture will be present (like a bathroom floor). Sometimes the staining is a permanant effect because of the different chemical makeup of thinset vs mastic. Stone is porous, and will absorb moisture etc. This is why stone floors have to be sealed. They are porous. They stain. And, they are more difficult to install correctly.

Bottom line is that section needs to be replaced, using new tile and the correct chemically reactive thinset---after completely scraping off the old residue.
glennsfc
15 years ago
Sophie blue...

Very funny. Did not read your post correctly...sorry. Must have been comatose.

Anyhow, what the other posters said.
sophie_blue
Original Author
15 years ago
Live wire oak, thanks for the detailed explanation. I think I misspoke when I said it came in a can. The new thinset (pic 2) came in smaller container and it was already premixed. The original thinset (pic 1) came in a bag and was mixed on site. I took pictures of the 2 different materials. Please take a look and let me know if the second batch could possible change the color.
pic 1

pic 2
User
15 years ago
It doesn't matter WHAT it's labeled. If it's in a can, chemically it's mastic, not thinset. As I said, real thinset cures by chemical reaction, and you can't stop that, put it in a can, and sell it. It would still harden because of the chemical reaction. Stuff they put in a can is always dehydration based cure and the wrong stuff to use when you've previously used the proper stuff. It is especially wrong anywhere near water. It will leave your porous stone looking different than the first product did.

They used the proper product the first time, and absolutely the wrong product the second time. Make them rip it out and redo it.