[zhawkeye]

My first tiling attempt...kitchen backsplash. Attached is the tiling my wife and I selected after many sample purchases and returns...
Unfortunately I was numb by then and didn't think it through completely.
I'm wondering how to grout it without filling up the grooves in the accent strip?
I've tried using painter's tape across the piece but the top is textured and the tape won't seal it off.
Has anyone worked with anything like this?
Thanks,
Matt

 

[zhawkeye]

...hmmm...don't know why the images uploaded sideways...

 

[chandler48]

If the painter's tape is wide enough, you can bend it over the corners slightly, but that may hinder side grouting. Use it sparingly, but Tyvek tape will stick. Remove it as quickly as you can.

 

[zhawkeye]

Thanks chandler...that's an idea I might experiment with...

 

[huesmann]

Another idea: Cover front, top and bottom with clear packing tape. After grout is complete, run a utility knife along the surface of the grout and score the tape. Remove any exposed tape.

 

[zhawkeye]

That's another interesting idea...not that I know much about tiling, but I'd be concerned that the thinset wouldn't adhere well to the tape.
Although, I may try going over the top and partially down the sides...

 

[jeffnc]

Grouting over tape is a bad idea (where you will be cutting and leaving some tape in there.) But first, I'm at a loss as to why you'd want to avoid grouting in the accent part. That sounds like a bad idea right from the get-go.