Advice needed

[Hlm]

Hi,

first post and after some advice if you could help.

Just about to fully tile my en suite and was after advice on notched trowel size, adhesive and substrate prep work.

The tiles are 400x250 ceramic and I'm running a mosaic border around the room, would a 10mm and a 4mm trowel be okay? The walls are a mix of skimmed and bare gyproc. When I prime the wall which is partially painted would I have to scratch it up first?

Also, what is a good all round adhesive ie waterproof for the shower and suitable for the rest.

The shop is trying to sell me the tubbed sovereign stuff.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nybor62]

remove the paint imo , 8 mm trowel will be fine for the main tile, how thick are the mosaics against the main tiles ,no tubbed addy i would prob go for webber set plus white
its a slow set addy

 

[bugs183]

If the mosaic runs in between the tiles, don't try and fix the mosaics as you fix the walls.
Tile up to the mosaic height, then cut some packing pieces (wood or tile) that are the same width as the mosiac border allowing for spacing). Then tile above. Leave to dry, then remove the packers and then add the mosaics, you'll get a much neater and flatter job.

 

[Hlm]

Thanks for the reply guys.

What is the quickest way to strip the painted areas? Also when I leave a gap for the mosaic, what's the best way to get the adhesive onto the mosaic or into the gap?

Thanks again!

 

[bugs183]

You'll need a sander with some course grit paper to remove the paint properly, horrible job i'm afraid!!
Now this bit is a pain too:
It will depend on how much thicker the mosaics are than the wall tiles, they look fab on the display board, but this can be a real pig to get right, the tile show room won't tell you that!!!!

If they are the same thickness, cut a piece of wood or tile slightly smaller than the width of the mosaic border, use that to spoon the cement based adhesive onto the wall, try and get a depth of about 3mm in there. Place the mosaics and then with a flat piece of wood, flatten the mosaics against the wall tiles to they are flat and flush, quite easy, wait for it to start drying wipe of with a sponge, wait for it to go quite hard then rake out the joints with a stanley knife or nail to remove the adhesive, wipe off so nice and clean. You don't want to see the adhesive too high in the joints or it makes the grouting look duff. Kinda simple!!!

Now if the mosaics are thinner than the tiles it gets tricky.
You can't fix mosaics neatly to a thick bed of adhesive, it will not work!!!! You may need to spoon a layer of adhesive on to border area and allow to dry to bring the level of adhesive up a few mm, and then do the previous stage.This is so you are only placing the mosaics in a thin bed of adhesive, too thick and the mosaics will form a wave, and you'll get in a right mess and start swearing, then the mosaics will fall off the mesh as the glue weakens, then you're in big trouble.
Don't think this is a quick and don't rush it.

 

[Hlm]

Forgot to add, the tiles have a sloping edge, I'm guessing that this will be even more tricky?