Mapei Ultracolor Plus High Performance Grout

Available as 5.0kg Bags

 
High-performance, anti-efflorescence, quick-setting and drying polymer-modifed mortar free from Portland cement with water-repellent DropEffect and mould-resistant BioBlock technology for grouting joints up to 20 mm wide, with very low emission of volatile organic compounds and fully offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Where to Use

Internal and external grouting of floors and walls in all types of ceramic (double-fired, single-fired, clinker,
porcelain, etc.), terracotta, stone material (natural stone, marble, granite, agglomerates, etc.), and glass and
marble mosaic.

Some application examples:

▪ Grouting floors and walls in areas subject to intense traffic (airports, shopping centres, restaurants, bars, etc.)
▪ Grouting floors and walls in residential areas (hotels, private houses, etc.).
▪ Grouting floors and walls on façades, balconies, terraces, and swimming pools

CO2 Fully Offset Product

Ultracolor Plus is part of the CO2 Fully Offset in the Entire Life Cycle line of products. CO2 emissions
measured throughout the life cycle of products from the Zero line in 2024 using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
methodology, verified and certified with EPDs, have been offset through the acquisition of certified carbon
credits in support of forestry protection projects. A commitment to the planet, to people and to biodiversity. For
more details on how emissions are calculated and on climate mitigation projects financed through certified
carbon credits, visit the webpage zero.mapei.com.au

Technical Characteristics

Ultracolor Plus is a mortar made up of a blend of special hydraulic binders, graded aggregates, special
polymers, water-repellent admixtures, organic molecules and pigments.

The impact Ultracolor Plus has on the environment throughout its entire life cycle has been measured using
the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) method and reported in EPD n° S-P-07051 and S-P-07044 (Environmental
Product Declaration) in accordance with ISO 14025 standard, certifed and published by The International EPD
System.

Ultracolor Plus is a product with very low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC), which safeguards
the health and safety of installers and final users. It is certifed as EC1 Plus by the German institute GEV.
Ultracolor Plus helps earn important Green Star and LEED credits.

The formulation of Ultracolor Plus contains no Portland cement, making it a safe product for users.
With Ultracolor Plus, the Ultracolor technology is based on a special, self-hydrating hydraulic binder that
guarantees colour uniformity by two innovative technologies which are the result of MAPEI research:
BioBlock and DropEffect.

The BioBlock consists of special organic molecules which, by distributing themselves evenly in the micro-
structure of the joints, block the formation of micro-organisms that cause mould damage. The DropEffect®
technology, with a synergic effect, reduces the absorption of surface water.

When it is mixed with water in the proportions recommended and correctly applied, Ultracolor Plus forms a
grouting mortar with the following characteristics:

• water-repellent and droplet-effect;
• uniform colour and free of staining, since Ultracolor Plus does not produce efflorescence. From an analysis
  carried out using an electronic microscope (SEM), note that, compared with a Portland cement-based
  binder in a normal cementitious grouting mortar, the special cements in Ultracolor Plus do not generate
  the calcium hydroxide (hydrolysis lime) crystals during the hydration process, which cause efflorescence;
• colours resistant to ultra-violet rays and atmospheric agents;
• short waiting time before cleaning and easy finishing;
• ready for light foot traffic and for use after a short period of time;
• smooth, compact finished surface, with low water absorbency for easy cleaning;
• shrinkage compensated, therefore free from cracks;
• excellent resistance to abrasion compression and flexural strength even after freeze-thaw cycles, therefore
  optimal durability;
• good resistance to acids with pH > 3.

Recommendations

• Ultracolor Plus does not contain Portland cement and must not be mixed with gypsum or other hydraulic
  binders; never add water to the mix once it has started to set.
• Never mix Ultracolor Plus with salty or dirty water.
• Use the product at temperatures between +5°C and +35°C;
• Carry out grouting only on substrates that are sufficiently dry or have been waterproofed, to avoid a whitish
  film forming on the surface.
• In order to avoid an uneven colour finish, we do not recommend sprinkling Ultracolor Plus powder onto the
  filled grout joints.
• When resistance to acids, high hygienic requirements, or sterile conditions are needed, or for swimming
  pools and spas with pool water treatment chemicals or cycles that are potentially harmful to cementitious
  products, use a suitable epoxy grout from the Kerapoxy range.
• Expansion and movement joints on walls and floors must never be filled with Ultracolor Plus. Use a suitable
  flexible sealant from the MAPEI range.
• The surface of certain tiles or stone materials may have micro-porosity or a rough surface. We recommend
  carrying out a preliminary test to check how easy it is to clean the surface where necessary to apply a protective treatment to the surface, to ensure the grout does not penetrate into the surface porosity of the
  tiles.
• If an acid-based cleaner is used to clean the joint, we recommend testing the product beforehand to check
  the resistance of the colour. Always make sure that the joints are thoroughly rinsed down to avoid leaving
  traces of acid in the joints.
• Avoid using bags of grout from different batches in the same area as minor colour variations may occur. Dry
  blend the grout bags together if required.

Application Procedure

 
Preparing the joints

Before grouting joints, wait until the adhesive or the mortar has completely hardened, and the waiting times
indicated in the relative Technical Data Sheet have been respected.
The joints must be clean, free of dust, and empty down to at least 2/3 of the thickness of the tiles. Any adhesive
or mortar that has seeped into the joints while laying the tiles must be removed while still fresh.
With very absorbent tiles, or in high temperatures or windy conditions, dampen the joints with clean water.

 
Preparation of Mix

While stirring, pour Ultracolor Plus into a clean, rust-free container containing 20-26% by weight of clean
water.
Mix the grout with a low-speed mixer to avoid air entrainment, until a smooth paste is obtained.
Let the mix stand for 3 minutes, then mix again briefly before use.
Use the mix within 30 minutes of preparation.

 
Application

Fill the joints with the Ultracolor Plus mix using an appropriate Mapei trowel or rubber spreader without
leaving any gaps or lippage. Remove excess of Ultracolor Plus from the surface of the tiles by passing the
trowel or spreader diagonally to the joints while the grout is still wet.

 
Finishing

When the grout loses its elasticity and becomes opaque, normally after 15–30 minutes, wash off any excess of
Ultracolor Plus with a damp hard cellulose sponge (such as the Mapei Sponge) working diagonally to the
joints. Rinse the sponge frequently in two different containers of water: one container to remove the grout
from the sponge and a second container, with clean water, to rinse the sponge. This operation can also be
carried out with a machine with a sponge belt.

It is possible to finish the surface also when the mix is partially set, after 50–60 minutes, with a damp
ScotchBrite® sponge: pass it over the joints to even out the surface.

This operation may also be carried out with a single disk rotary machine with a special Scotch-Brite ® type felt
disk.

If the joints are cleaned too soon (while the grout is still plastic) the grout could be dragged from the joints and
leave gaps, which may then change colour more easily.

If grouting is carried out in extremely hot, dry or windy weather, we recommend that the joints filled with
Ultracolor Plus are dampened after a few hours. Damp curing of Ultracolor Plus improves its final characteristics
in all cases.

Final cleaning of the powdery film of Ultracolor Plus from the surface may be carried out with a clean, dry
cloth.

After the final cleaning operation, if the surface still has traces of cementitious residues, it may be cleaned
down with an acidic cleaner (e.g. UltraCare Keranet), after the grout has completely cured.

If it is necessary to use a product to remove residues of grout at the moment of installation, it is recommended
to use UltraCare Keranet Easy spray, suitable for removing excess grout from surfaces during installation.
For the correct use of UltraCare products range, please refer to the relevant Technical Data Sheets