Had the exact same issue with graphite leaving smudges on a client's white cabinetry—nightmare to fix.
I've never tried mica myself, but now I'm curious too. Had graphite on my garage door lock and it left these annoying smudges all over the white paint—spent ages scrubbing them off. Switched to a silicone-based lubricant afterward, and it's been pretty good so far. Does mica have any advantages over silicone, you think? Or is it mostly just preference?
I've heard mica's decent, but honestly, silicone's been my go-to for ages—no smudges yet. Wonder if mica's more eco-friendly though... might have to look into that myself now.
Funny you mention mica—I actually went down that rabbit hole myself last year when I was redoing my kitchen backsplash. Silicone's always been reliable, but I got curious about mica after reading some eco-friendly remodeling blogs. Turns out, mica can be more sustainable depending on sourcing, but it's a bit tricky. Some mining practices aren't exactly stellar environmentally or ethically, so you gotta check the supplier carefully.
I ended up trying mica grout in a small bathroom project just to test the waters. Honestly, it looked great at first—nice shimmer and all—but it was a bit fussier to apply than silicone. And after a few months, I did notice some minor staining around the sink area (could've been user error though... wouldn't be the first time!). Still, if sustainability is your main concern, it's worth exploring. Just be prepared for a little extra homework on sourcing and application tips.
Interesting you brought up mica grout—I had a similar experience when renovating a rental property last summer. Thought I'd give it a shot in the kitchen backsplash because tenants love that "sparkly" look. Application was definitely trickier than silicone, and I noticed it didn't hold up as well around high-moisture areas like behind the sink. Ended up having to redo parts of it after just six months. Sustainability's great, but durability matters too, especially if you're dealing with rentals...
"Ended up having to redo parts of it after just six months. Sustainability's great, but durability matters too, especially if you're dealing with rentals..."
Totally get where you're coming from on this one. I tried mica grout myself in our guest bathroom remodel last year—thought the shimmer would add a nice touch for visitors. It looked fantastic at first, but I quickly realized it wasn't the easiest material to work with. Definitely agree that application is trickier than silicone or standard grout; it tends to set faster and can be unforgiving if you don't get it right the first time.
Funny enough, I had the opposite issue regarding moisture. Mine held up surprisingly well around the sink area (maybe I got lucky?), but I noticed some cracking and discoloration near the shower edges after about eight months. Could've been my prep work, though—I admit I rushed a bit toward the end of the project. Lesson learned: patience really is key when working with specialty grouts.
For rentals especially, durability and ease of maintenance are crucial. Tenants usually won't be as careful or attentive as homeowners, so materials that require minimal upkeep are always a safer bet. I've found epoxy grout to be a solid alternative—it’s water-resistant, stain-proof, and pretty forgiving once it's set. It doesn't have that same sparkle factor, but you can always compensate with decorative tiles or accents elsewhere.
Still, kudos for giving mica grout a shot! Home improvement is all about trial and error...and sometimes more error than we'd like to admit.
