If you do a search in this forum, this issue has probably come up before and you'll find great information from Bill Vincent on sealers, enhancers and grout.
I do have tumbled stone bricks that I just finished sealing first, then grouted using a grout bag. With the grout bag you simply squirt the grout into the grout lines and it doesn't get all over the stone. If any of it does get on the stone, the sealer seemed to make it much easier to just wipe off and release from the surface.
This was my first grout job and it looks fine to me, but I can never invite Bill Vincent to my house for supper ;-)

I was thinking of doing it the same way.
The problem with most searches is that there is not an easy to filter the correct answers out of 1000's of posts with a few words. I did a search and found nothing on this problem. Tumbled stone grouting and stone grouting yields no threads with this problem. I was hoping someone would point me to a thread or answer.

We sealed our 4x4 tumbled travertine using an enhancer/sealer before grouting. We then picked a grout color very similar to our tile color and then grouted everything. Even though the grout got into the pits/holes we left it as it just enhanced it in my opinion.

Here is ours just after grouting (before caulking and removing blue tape):

There is a lot of information about tiling and they were a GREAT help at the following forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: John Bridge tile forum

Thank you for the link and your back splash looks great That is the same color I am looking for and the exact same accent tiles.
What are the names of the accent tiles? Where did you get them? I cant find them. Also the name of the tile?

again thanks

Larrylwill, I recently changed the look of my tumbled travertine back splash and grout with glaze. I, too, wanted a Grey grout. The color faded hideously and I wasn't going to do a complete re-do. So, after I got my cabinet doors up (some are waxed with clear wax, some with a light brown wax, so the doors/drawers will not all match... I'm still trying to decide which color I like), I boldly glazed my tile.

I posted glazing info on another thread earlier this week, then decided to put a little something online. It was easy to do and I really, really like it. Here's a link to the page I put telling about the grout.
http://www.sherichase.com/progress/grouttile.htm

Here's a link to the page on how I glazed my tile and grout with BEFORE and AFTER photos. (So sorry for the large photo. I resized it online, but it's still coming up huge.) AND...my kitchen is still a work in progress...but almost done.

Here's a quick peek at the paled grout BEFORE GLAZE. It's hard to believe it's the same tile job.

And AFTER glazing.

Here is a link that might be useful: All BEFORE and AFTER photos.

I did fill my stone with grout. I love the way it grabbed the glaze. If you do not fill those holes, they will become a haven for spiders, dust, and splashed food, etc... I'd think twice before not filling all of it to some depth. It doesn't have to be smooth like travertine floor tile.

Here's a photo of some I did with sealer only on the grout.

PS: I am going to glaze that bottom tile with that granite, too. It's the same granite as is in my kitchen. I just don't like how the grout turned out. Darkening it will make me very happy! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: progress while we built...and are still fine tuning

I like your back splash. If I read your post correct you used a light gray grout and grouted the holes and pits. Then it faded, then you applied a colored glaze that changed the color of the grout and tiles? Looks like the grout darkened much more than the tile. I didn't know you could re glaze tiles and grout to change the color. I need to know more.
Although it looks like my original plan on using porcelen look alikes would be far easier to do.
I looked for your the thread about glazing, I searched your name and glazing tiled, neither showed it. can you give me the link?

You understood correctly. As for why the grout faded...it never, ever looked like the sample card and a pro did this job.

Yes, the grout did darken more than the tile, but I didn't try to wipe all of the glaze off the grout. I hated the light grout with my granite. Porcelain just does not have the same look or warmth that stone gives to a room. I have porcelain in the dog's room and several baths. I love the two baths that has travertine better.

I took close up photos and put them on the page below. I also have very simple directions in bold and below the photo gallery I put online. Just click on the thumbnails.

IMHO, If you have granite or natural stone counters, then use stone on your backsplash. I hired someone to do my kitchen, but I did the rest of the house it was so easy. Including the diagonal cut back-splash on that counter above. Hope this info helps.

Here is a link that might be useful: More photos and product info

not a grout sealer,but a stone sealer is best!! there are 2 choices water based or petroluem based sealer.Petroluem based will leave it shiny somewhat! there is a product called grout release. it helps clean up the grout when wiping it down!! i hate using grout bags,you never know if your getting the grout lines completely filled up, the bag will create air pockets when wiping grout. i am a pro of 28 yrs. exp.