Ther pink membrane you speak of was probably waterproofing, which really isn't necessary. As for doing the brink, I would STRONGLY recommend using a WATER based sealer on it as you set it. Although everything you hear says solvent based sealers are better (and actually, they are), in this case you're better off with the waterbased for two reasons. First, you're only using it as a grout release. Doesn't matter if it wears off, so long as it doesn't let the grout suck into the surface until you get to it. Secondly, solvent based sealers are breathable, meaning they allow moisture to transmit back and forth, while a water based sealer will REPEL water.... and anything it's mixed with! What I'll normally do is have a pump up garden sprayer filled with sealer next to me as I set it, and as I complete each section, I'll pray it down-- I mean SATURATE it, intul it gets to the point where it's not soaking in any more. Now, overspray on previous areas WILL TURN WHITE-- but don't let that scare you-- it'll come off when you grout. Do this, and it'll almost be like grouting glazed tile. In this first pic, you'll see the white haze I'm talking about, every couple of feet, going from side to side of the hallway: This is grouted (except the steps, obviously):

I just wanted to let you know someone else who does them -- Inglenook Tile in Lancaster, PA. We live not too far from them and went to their workshop and they look really wonderful. We wound up going with someone else - solely based on the fact that we stumbled across a surplus of thin brick while we were looking for our marble slab and they gave us a great deal. But Inglenook was our first choice. Here is a link that might be useful: Brick Tiles

may_flowers - I'm going through a tile company not an individual and the only two options they have are the polybend grout and the Fusion Pro. I thought about going out on my own and buying epoxy or urethane, but my job would probably be the first time these guys have ever used either and I don't know if I want to be their guinea pig. Romy - I'll keep you updated on what I find out. The guys started on my floors Monday and they had to remove the previous tile from my kitchen, office, laundry room and one bathroom. It is taking them forever to get the concrete slab smooth. They did tile my office yesterday but they didn't ask what pattern I wanted. Everything is taped off, so I can't see what they're doing from my family room. I walked around the front to get at one point and he was almost done with my office but it did a regular pattern and I wanted it done in a brick pattern, so he had to start all over. I couldn't believe he didn't ask how I wanted it laid before he started. They sill have so much stuff to scrape off the rest of the floors to get it smooth. I think they're doing it all by hand. Shouldn't their be some type of machine they could use to make it faster?

Welcome back! My tile department at Lowes has a general tile and grout sealer. Though honestly, my kitchen is tiled. The grout is a dark gray. Even with greasy things dropped on it, I don't have stains and have never sealed it. It's 7 years old now, looks great. (After I sweep and mop it, of course LOL) It's possible you were looking in the paint department at your store? The tile department would probably have what you're looking for.