Mastic Method

[cowgomoo]

Hi Tilers everywhere, which method do you use for mastic application, are you a wet finger merchant or a taper, and how do you like your mastic - fat and chunky or thin. Has anyone discovered the perfect way to apply mastic leaving a uniform line and without getting it all over ones person ??

 

[enduro]

Try cornertape if your having problems.

 

[bigandy]

we have had this discussion before and got a prietty equal amount of replies and they fall in to three main catagries 1;fingers-the tools god gave you 2;tools -the things we invented because our fingers were nt good enough 3; cornertape!!the tool that god gave us!?we also found that most people sprayed soapy water on after initial application but before smoothing

 

[garretridge]

apply thin bead its only normaly got to fill around 2mm depends on your cuts though (lol) then soapy water sprayed on then finger with sergical glove to keep fingers nice and clean does the trick for me!

 

[cowgomoo]

Hi , I am not having any problems at all with masticing, I was just curious. I personally use the tube scoop method - very neat and tidy, no need for smoothing or soapy water and you can have any width you fancy - I personally go for as thin as possible - enough to do the job but no more. David.

 

[Olz]

Forgive my ignorance but what is the tube scoop method?

 

[david campbell]

i'm with oli whats the tube scoop method,also find most customers want the Silicon as thin as possible,even had customers asking if i would use grout instead of Silicon in bathrooms cause they didnt like it

 

[cowgomoo]

Basically you get a used tube of mastic or caulk and cut a slice of the end say 40mm, run in the line of mastic and then squash the slice to an elipse and then run this along the line, all excess mastic with gather in the tube. You must ensure that the end you use for scooping is not the cut end ie. make sure it has a rounded finish. That is it.

 

[Olz]

Hmmmm, interesting, ill give it a try, not heard of this method before but i presume that you keep the tube pressed asainst the wall and worktop to retain the even finish, I usually stick to the wet finger / tape + wet finger method.

 

[Prem Tiler]

i've got to try this. i too usually do the whole wet finger/tape/kitchen towel to clean off finger and ALWAYS a bit of mess.