Cut resistant gloves and a homemade grout float.

I had several baaaaaaaad infections from grouting barehanded. Keep an eye on your cuts.

I ALWAYS double, and sometimes, triple glove! My suggestions would be: 1) use a drier grout, which makes it less messy to work with; 2) grout gently, especially if you aren't counting on sharp edges. BUT if you used a tumbler to take off the sharp edges, you shouldn't have that problem. I started out using a grout float (very good for pushing the grout into deep spaces) but have now turned my hand into a float. If you're new at this I would suggest using the float until you get the hang of it. 3) don't give up. It gets easier, I promise!

I would also say a dryer grout .Did you use grout.I use a slice of the kid noodle (they swim with) I just slice a bout a inch or more .you have a lot of controle .I have grouted a lot of dif ways I like this the best .I have cut my self more breaking the stuff.
Use dryer grout get you some old tshirt cut them up and use them to wipe your grout off .No water I use a spray bottle if it gets a little dry .We all have dif. ways keep on trying till you find somthing that works.

I like to grout with leftover plastic eating utensils from restaurants. When I spread grout I look like I am icing a cake. You know how it's all packaged together? I use the spoon to stir the grout and water together, the knife to spread the grout onto the project, the napkin to clean up any immediate messes, and...the fork to eat my cheesecake as I grout. It's the BEST part of grouting!!

I wear rubber gloves when I grout. I plop blobs down and smush into the grooves with my hands. I use a damp sponge to remove excess.

I use rubber spatulas a lot, also wear rubber gloves. Went through two pairs today in fact!

Nanatricia, good tips! Kelly: Cheesecake!!! I have been missing that step in my grouting all this time?!!! Weeeellll, not anymore, heh heh! And here I've been trying to do it with rubbergloves and my hands and a towel, Silly Me!!! As I recall, Slow and Rosie prefer to have a Margarita in one hand as they grout!heh heh!

CALAMITY JANE: You l'il heifer! There, I said it. SEAMER: The dry grout method is the best for me. There are some great gardening gloves - the kind w/cloth/rubber that work well, as well as the Playtex ones for dishwashing. Put the grout on w/your gloved hand, then I take a piece of the grouting sponge - dry - to push the grout into all the crevices, then a barely damp one to take off the excess. After about 45 min/hr. a dry rag to buff. It gets easier w/practice. Please don't give up. You'll be glad you stayed w/this in just a short while.

Thanks for all your tips. I don't want to give up, the results are beautiful, but the cuts were yukky. I will give all your tips a try.
Seamer

hey, that's great advice..I never knew about using something like a bit of a sponge for pushing it in to the crevices..I always used my fingers and was with cuts a bit but not too bad so far..but then again, I haven't really done that many projects.
actually, I think I only have about 5 to my name..one waterglass size vase,
two medium vases, the frying pan and the watering can.
wow, I think I have a bunch of catching up to do.
I do have lots of things all taped up, ready to work on.

and when you sat 'dry grout'..do you mean it's just shy of crumbling off the piece, or what?
I haven't been mixing any...it comes in that tub that I use, so I've not got experience in the peanut butter consistency to mix myself. ( "I've not got" )..don't ya love my English?)

Becky

Cut resistant gloves like THIS

I don't buy from this company but I waned to give you an idea. I can get gloves for $3 - $5 a pair.

Wench, these are also good and work out to be 2.25 a pair

Here is a link that might be useful: gemplers

Those are similar to the ones I get at Harbor Freight. I used these also for working w/the mesh on the Riana method.

I use rubber spatulas from the TS get them for .10-.20 last time I found some cool, brightly colored plastic knives. Better than disposable.They had just enough give. I'll dig them out and post a pic later. The floats work good, but if you have a small area this is great.I like the idea of the swim noodles too - have to try that

Maria