Starlike PRO Grout Installation Instructions
Starlike PRO is Litokol's newest generation decorative epoxy grout, and proper installation is the key to getting the smooth joints, color consistency, stain resistance, and long term performance the product is designed to provide.
If you previously used Starlike EVO, do not assume every installation step is identical. Starlike PRO uses a newer epoxy gel formulation and should be installed according to the current Starlike PRO instructions rather than relying only on previous EVO experience.
This BELK Tile guide walks homeowners, contractors, designers, and tile installers through the basic Starlike PRO grouting process, including preparation, mixing, application, cleanup, curing, and common mistakes to avoid.
Important: This guide is intended as a practical overview. Always review the current Litokol Starlike PRO Technical Data Sheet and product instructions before installation, especially for swimming pools, exterior applications, natural stone, commercial projects, or unusual installation conditions.
Starlike PRO Installation at a Glance
| Installation Detail | Starlike PRO |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Two component decorative epoxy gel |
| Grout Joint Width | 1 mm to 20 mm |
| Mixing | Combine all Part B with Part A |
| Recommended Mixing Method | Low speed electric mixer |
| Approximate Mixer Speed | About 300 rpm |
| Application Temperature | Approximately +10°C to +30°C |
| Pot Life | Greater than 90 minutes under stated laboratory conditions |
| Grouting Application | Starlike rubber float or suitable epoxy grout float |
| Initial Cleaning | While grout is still fresh |
| Ready for Foot Traffic | Approximately 24 hours under stated conditions |
| General Commissioning | Approximately 5 days |
| Swimming Pool Commissioning | Approximately 7 days |
Temperature, humidity, ventilation, tile type, substrate conditions, and jobsite conditions can affect working and curing times. Always use the manufacturer's current technical requirements for your specific installation.
What You Need to Install Starlike PRO Grout
Have all tools and cleaning materials ready before mixing the epoxy grout. Unlike cement grout, epoxy begins reacting once Parts A and B are combined, so stopping halfway through the installation to find tools can make the process more difficult.
- Starlike PRO Part A and Part B
- Low speed electric mixer
- Mixing paddle suitable for epoxy grout
- Starlike rubber grout float or suitable epoxy grout float
- White cleaning felt or recommended epoxy cleaning pad
- Epoxy grout sponge
- Two clean buckets or containers of water
- Clean water
- Trowel or spatula for scraping the container
- Protective gloves and appropriate jobsite protection
- Starlike Care or other manufacturer recommended epoxy cleaning product if needed for later residue
Step 1: Prepare the Tile and Grout Joints
Before mixing Starlike PRO, make sure the tile installation is fully ready for grouting.
The setting material beneath the tile should be fully cured and dry according to its manufacturer's requirements.
The grout joints should be:
- Dry
- Clean
- Free of dust
- Free of loose debris
- Free of excess adhesive
- Open to sufficient depth for proper grout placement
Litokol specifies that the joints should be empty for at least approximately two thirds of the tile thickness.
Any setting material that has squeezed into the grout joints should ideally be removed while it is still fresh. Hardened adhesive in the joints can interfere with grout depth and may create uneven grout appearance.
Should You Wet the Tile Before Applying Starlike PRO?
The grout joints themselves should be clean and dry before grouting. Do not introduce unnecessary standing water into the joints before applying the epoxy grout.
Water is used during the cleaning and finishing process after the grout has been placed.
Step 2: Test Sensitive Tile and Natural Stone
Always perform a test before grouting porous, polished, textured, sensitive, or natural stone surfaces.
Starlike PRO can be used with many materials, including ceramic tile, porcelain, glass mosaics, marble, granite, natural stone, large format slabs, and other compatible surfaces.
However, epoxy resin can interact differently with various finishes and surface textures.
A small test area allows you to confirm:
- The grout does not alter the tile appearance
- The surface can be cleaned properly
- The selected grout color works with the tile
- No unwanted resin film remains on porous or textured surfaces
This step is especially important with polished porcelain, natural stone, textured tile, crackle finishes, and porous materials.
Step 3: Mix Starlike PRO Part A and Part B
Starlike PRO is a two component epoxy product. Both components must be combined thoroughly before application.
Part A contains the colored epoxy gel. Part B contains the polymeric catalyst that begins the curing reaction.
How to Mix Starlike PRO
- Open the Part A container.
- Open the Part B component.
- Pour the entire contents of Part B into Part A.
- Remove as much Part B as possible from its packaging so the intended proportion is maintained.
- Mix using a low speed electric mixer at approximately 300 rpm.
- Continue mixing until the material becomes creamy, smooth, homogeneous, and free of lumps.
- Scrape the sides and bottom of the bucket with a trowel or spatula.
- Mix briefly again until the entire batch has a uniform gel consistency.
Do not mix Starlike PRO by hand. Mechanical mixing helps properly combine the components and reduces the chance of incomplete blending.
Why Low Speed Mixing Matters
A high speed mixer can introduce excess heat and air into the epoxy mixture. This can reduce workable time and affect the consistency of the material.
Use a low speed mixer and avoid unnecessarily prolonged mixing.
Can You Change the Mixing Ratio?
Do not casually alter the ratio between Part A and Part B.
The components are designed to work together in a specific proportion. Incorrect ratios or incomplete mixing can affect hardness, chemical resistance, curing, color performance, and overall durability.
Step 4: Begin Grouting While the Product Is Workable
Once Parts A and B are combined, the chemical reaction begins.
Starlike PRO has a pot life greater than approximately 90 minutes under the manufacturer's stated test conditions, but actual jobsite working time can vary.
Higher temperatures generally shorten working time, while cooler temperatures generally extend it.
Do not assume you will always have the full published pot life. Work efficiently and only mix when the surface, tools, cleaning materials, and installer are ready.
Step 5: Apply Starlike PRO Into the Grout Joints
Use a Starlike rubber float or a suitable epoxy grout float to work the product into the joints.
Move the float diagonally across the tile rather than following the direction of the grout joints.
Press firmly enough to completely fill each joint to its full depth.
Fill the Joints Completely
Epoxy grout should fully occupy the grout joint without voids or shallow areas.
Incomplete joints can create:
- Low spots
- Uneven appearance
- Areas that collect dirt
- Inconsistent finished joint depth
Apply enough material to fully pack the joint, then remove as much excess grout as practical from the tile surface with the float.
Hold the Float Diagonally
Working diagonally helps prevent the float from digging into the fresh joints and pulling grout back out.
After filling an area, use the edge of the float to remove excess material before beginning the washing process.
Step 6: Clean Starlike PRO While It Is Still Fresh
Do not wait for Starlike PRO to harden before beginning the initial cleaning process.
This is one of the most important differences between successfully installing epoxy grout and dealing with difficult hardened residue later.
Surface cleaning and finishing should begin while the product is still fresh.
First Cleaning Pass
- Wet the grouted surface with clean water.
- Use a white Starlike cleaning felt or suitable recommended epoxy cleaning pad.
- Work in circular movements over the tile surface.
- Emulsify and loosen excess epoxy resin.
- Avoid digging grout out of the joints.
The goal of this first cleaning pass is to break down excess material on the tile surface while leaving the grout joints properly filled.
Second Cleaning Pass
Follow with a damp Starlike PRO sponge or suitable epoxy grout sponge.
Use the sponge to:
- Smooth the grout joints
- Remove remaining residue
- Remove excess water
- Create a clean finished surface
Do not use excessive water or repeatedly scrub the grout joints.
Use Two Buckets of Clean Water
BELK Tile recommends following Litokol's two container cleaning method.
Use one bucket for rinsing the felt and sponge during the initial cleaning process and a second bucket containing cleaner water for the final surface rinse.
This helps reduce the amount of epoxy resin that gets redistributed across the tile.
Replace Dirty Sponges and Cleaning Pads
Do not continue using a sponge or felt pad after it becomes saturated with epoxy resin.
Once the cleaning material can no longer be rinsed effectively, replace it.
Trying to finish the entire installation with one resin saturated sponge can spread epoxy residue over otherwise clean tile and contribute to haze.
Step 7: Inspect the Tile Before Moving On
After cleaning a manageable section, inspect the tile from several angles and under good lighting.
Look for:
- Shiny epoxy film
- Streaks
- Sticky residue
- Uneven grout joints
- Low joints
- Missed areas
Correct problems while the product is still workable whenever possible.
Epoxy residue becomes much more difficult to remove after it has cured.
Step 8: Allow Starlike PRO to Cure
Curing time depends on temperature, humidity, ventilation, and jobsite conditions.
Under Litokol's stated conditions, Starlike PRO is generally ready for foot traffic after approximately 24 hours.
General commissioning is approximately 5 days, while swimming pools require approximately 7 days before commissioning under the stated conditions.
These times can change under different environmental conditions. Cooler temperatures generally slow curing.
Do Not Rush a Swimming Pool Installation
If Starlike PRO is being used in a swimming pool, spa, fountain, or similar submerged application, allow the complete manufacturer specified curing period before filling or placing the installation into service.
Do not assume that grout that feels hard on the surface is fully cured internally.
Step 9: Remove Any Remaining Epoxy Residue
Inspect the finished installation again after the grout has cured sufficiently.
If streaks or light epoxy residue remain, Litokol recommends using appropriate Starlike cleaning products rather than aggressive improvised cleaners.
For recent residue, manufacturer recommended products such as Starlike Care may be appropriate depending on the surface and installation.
More stubborn or cured epoxy residue may require a specialized epoxy cleaning product.
Always test cleaners on a small inconspicuous area before treating the entire installation.
Does Starlike PRO Grout Need to Be Sealed?
No. Starlike PRO itself does not require routine penetrating grout sealer.
This is one of the important advantages of epoxy grout compared with many conventional cement based grouts.
Do not apply grout sealer simply because that is part of your normal cement grout process.
However, the tile or natural stone surrounding the grout may have its own sealing requirements. Evaluate the tile separately from the grout.
Can Starlike PRO Be Used in Showers?
Yes. Starlike PRO is designed for bathrooms, showers, spas, pools, and other wet area applications when properly installed.
Its waterproof, stain resistant, acid resistant, and chemical resistant properties make epoxy grout attractive for demanding wet environments.
However, waterproof grout does not replace the waterproofing system behind a shower.
A properly constructed shower still requires an approved waterproofing assembly, properly treated penetrations, movement joints, drainage, and correct substrate preparation.
Can Starlike PRO Be Used on Shower Floors?
Yes, Starlike PRO can be used with suitable shower floor tile and mosaics when installed according to manufacturer requirements.
Epoxy grout is particularly useful on shower floors because of its low water absorption, stain resistance, and resistance to many cleaning chemicals.
Make sure the shower floor assembly is properly pitched toward the drain before grouting. Grout does not correct drainage or slope problems.
Can Starlike PRO Be Used With Glass Tile?
Starlike PRO can be used with compatible glass mosaics and tile.
Because glass can be transparent or translucent, the adhesive and grout may influence the finished appearance.
Test the complete installation system when appearance is critical.
Can Starlike PRO Be Used With Natural Stone?
Yes, Starlike PRO can be used with many marble, granite, and natural stone installations.
However, natural stone varies widely in porosity, finish, resin content, sensitivity, and surface texture.
Perform a test before grouting the entire surface.
This is especially important with light colored, porous, polished, textured, or translucent stone.
Can Starlike PRO Be Used Outdoors?
Starlike PRO is designed for suitable interior and exterior applications.
For exterior work, pay close attention to installation temperature, weather, direct sunlight, rain, substrate conditions, movement accommodation, and curing conditions.
Do not apply the product when temperatures are expected to fall below the manufacturer's specified minimum during the critical curing period.
Common Starlike PRO Installation Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting Too Long to Begin Cleanup
Do not treat Starlike PRO like conventional cement grout and allow significant residue to harden on the tile before washing.
Initial cleaning should occur while the epoxy is still fresh.
Using a High Speed Mixer
Excessive mixing speed can introduce heat and air into the mixture and reduce useful working time.
Use a low speed mixer.
Mixing by Hand
Hand mixing can leave material insufficiently blended.
Use a low speed mechanical mixer and scrape the bottom and sides of the bucket during mixing.
Leaving Part B Behind
Add the full supplied Part B component to Part A unless the manufacturer's packaging specifically directs otherwise.
An incorrect component ratio may affect curing and performance.
Using Dirty Cleaning Water
Cleaning with heavily resin contaminated water can redistribute epoxy film over the tile.
Change water frequently and use the two container method.
Using the Same Sponge Too Long
Replace sponges and felt pads when they become saturated with resin.
A dirty sponge can create haze rather than remove it.
Assuming Epoxy Grout Waterproofs the Shower
Starlike PRO produces highly water resistant grout joints, but it does not replace the required waterproofing system beneath the tile.
Sealing the Epoxy Grout
Routine penetrating grout sealer is not required for Starlike PRO itself.
Only seal adjacent stone or tile if that material requires it.
Skipping a Test on Natural Stone
Do not assume every stone or porous tile will react the same way to epoxy grout.
Test before completing the entire installation.
Starlike PRO Installation FAQ
How do you mix Starlike PRO grout?
Add the complete Part B catalyst to the Part A epoxy gel and mix with a low speed electric mixer at approximately 300 rpm until the material is smooth and homogeneous. Scrape the sides and bottom of the bucket, then mix briefly again. Hand mixing is not recommended.
How long do you have to work with Starlike PRO?
The manufacturer lists a pot life greater than approximately 90 minutes under specified test conditions. Actual working time can be shorter or longer depending on temperature, humidity, ventilation, surface conditions, and other jobsite factors. Higher temperatures generally shorten working time.
How long should I wait before cleaning Starlike PRO?
Do not use a fixed waiting period like you might with some cement grouts. Cleaning and finishing should begin while Starlike PRO is still fresh. Wet the surface with clean water, emulsify residue with the recommended white felt, then finish with a clean epoxy grout sponge.
Can I leave Starlike PRO haze until the next day?
It is much better to remove as much epoxy residue as possible during the initial installation while the product is still fresh. Light remaining residue may be removable later with an appropriate Starlike cleaning product, but hardened epoxy is more difficult to remove.
What temperature can Starlike PRO be installed at?
The current Litokol technical specifications list application temperatures from approximately +10°C to +30°C. Temperature affects working time and curing, so pay particular attention to environmental conditions during exterior or unconditioned installations.
How wide can grout joints be with Starlike PRO?
Starlike PRO is designed for grout joints ranging from approximately 1 mm to 20 mm.
How soon can I walk on Starlike PRO grout?
Under the manufacturer's stated conditions, the installation is generally ready for foot traffic after approximately 24 hours. Cooler temperatures or different jobsite conditions can extend the curing time.
How long before Starlike PRO can get wet?
The answer depends on the application. Do not confuse surface hardness with full commissioning. Litokol lists general commissioning at approximately 5 days under stated conditions and approximately 7 days for swimming pools. Follow the current technical sheet for the specific application.
Does Starlike PRO require grout sealer?
No. Starlike PRO itself does not require routine penetrating grout sealer. Natural stone or other tile materials installed with it may still require sealing.
Can a homeowner install Starlike PRO?
An experienced DIY tile installer can install Starlike PRO, but preparation is especially important with epoxy grout. Read the complete instructions before mixing, organize all tools and cleaning supplies in advance, work in manageable sections, and clean the tile while the epoxy is still fresh.
Is Starlike PRO easier to install than traditional epoxy grout?
Starlike PRO uses a sixth generation decorative epoxy gel formulation designed for improved spreadability and cleaning. It still requires epoxy appropriate installation techniques, particularly careful mixing and timely cleanup.
Do I need a special grout float for Starlike PRO?
Use a Starlike rubber spatula or suitable epoxy grout float. The float should allow you to firmly pack the joints while efficiently removing excess material from the tile surface.
Why is my Starlike PRO grout still soft?
Possible causes can include insufficient curing time, cool temperatures, incorrect mixing, incomplete incorporation of Part B, or improper component proportions. Do not put the installation into service until the grout has properly cured. Consult the current Litokol technical information if curing appears abnormal.
Can leftover mixed Starlike PRO be saved for later?
Once Parts A and B have been mixed, the epoxy curing reaction has begun. Mixed material cannot simply be stored and reused later like an unmixed product. Plan the installation before combining the components.
Can Starlike PRO be used as both adhesive and grout?
Yes. Starlike PRO is classified for use as both a reactive adhesive and epoxy grout in appropriate applications. Installation procedures differ when the product is being used as an adhesive, so follow the manufacturer's adhesive application instructions rather than the grouting steps alone.
Starlike PRO vs Starlike EVO Installation
If you previously installed Starlike EVO, many of the core epoxy grouting principles will feel familiar, including two component mixing, complete joint filling, timely cleaning, and careful residue removal.
However, Starlike PRO is a newer formulation and should not be treated as though it is simply EVO in a different bucket.
Starlike PRO expands the grout joint range to 1 mm through 20 mm and uses Litokol's newer decorative epoxy gel technology.
For that reason, BELK Tile recommends following the current Starlike PRO technical instructions even if you have years of experience installing Starlike EVO.
Install Starlike PRO With Confidence
The key to a successful Starlike PRO installation is preparation.
Have the tile and grout joints ready, organize your mixing and cleaning tools before opening the product, completely combine Parts A and B, work in manageable sections, and clean the surface while the epoxy remains fresh.
When properly installed, Starlike PRO provides the waterproof, stain resistant, color stable, and highly durable grout joints that make premium epoxy grout an excellent choice for kitchen backsplashes, showers, bathroom floors, swimming pools, mosaics, natural stone, and demanding residential or commercial tile installations.
If you are transitioning from Starlike EVO, you may also want to review the BELK Tile Starlike PRO Grout Color Chart and Starlike EVO Color Comparison to find similar colors from the former EVO collection.
For a detailed comparison of the two generations, read our Starlike PRO vs Starlike EVO guide.
Shop Starlike PRO epoxy grout at BELK Tile and choose from the new Classic and Glamour color collections for your next tile installation.
