How long do you have to apply the grout before it hardens in the bucket you mix it in?

Thank you for your inquiry regarding MAPEI products! You will get no more than 30-45 minutes pot life from the Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA once mixed and no more than the same for a working time. Please review the tips below for the best use of the Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA grout on how to mix and apply it. If you need additional assistance with your project before you begin, please call us here at Tech Support Mon-Fri from 8 am to 5:30 pm EST at 800-992-6273. Thank you! Product Advisor # 11. The Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA is a calcium aluminate cement grout, not a Portland cement one that you may be more familiar with using. It dries stronger, harder, denser and faster. This is one of many reasons why Mapei publishes a partial bag volume ratio mix of 3 parts powder to one part cold water on the actual bag(s). You must be certain to ACCLIMATE the bag(s) to the jobsite. DRY MIX the material in the bag as polymers and pigment do settle during shipping and storage. Without introducing too much air into the mix, (MIX on slow speed only) and only mix until smooth and creamy. DO NOT SLAKE! and now grout. Grout in small, manageable areas only or as much as you can clean at one time. The Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA is a fine aggregate, fast acting grout, as it states clearly n the bag, and it will not only cure quickly, but it will adhere to the surface of the tiles quickly, especially a textured surfaced tile like a wood grain look plank. Please review some of the helpful tips before for using the Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA, and if necessary, please call us at Tech Support Mon-Fri from 8 am to 5:30 pm EST at 800-992-6273. The Mapei Ultracolor Plus FA (fine aggregate) can be used on both floor and wall installations. It can tend to set up fast based on the temperature in the room, the humidity in the room and the temperature of the water used to mix it with. You will need to grout only as much area as you can clean up at one time, approx. 20 sf-30 sf at one time. Mix with clean, cool water only, and when mixing the “next batch” clean out the bucket completely as any grout left in the bucket can also cause the material to set up more quickly. Add the water to the bucket first and then add the powder. The partial bag mix ration is 3 parts powder to one part clean, cool or cold water. The material should be mixed to a smooth, peanut butter like consistency. DO NOT SLAKE! Do not keep adding water to re-work the product in the bucket, as this will cause the color pigments to “lighten” or bleach out. You do not want to introduce excess water back into the installation by using too much water to clean the grout off the tiles with. It is imperative that you allow the grout to “set-up” before attempting clean up, but not so long that it is difficult to get the grout off the tiles, set up time could be as little at 10 minutes and as many as 30 minutes, once again depending on the temperature and humidity in the room and environment. Have plenty of clean, cool water nearby for clean-up use and plenty of sponges (wrung out to almost dry typically, called “dog boning”) Although Ultracolor Plus FA is a sanded grout, it is not the typical sanded grout that most people are familiar with using. It needs to be applied quickly and efficiently for the best results!