Natural Stone on MDF...........

[tfs]

I have just used glue sticks, no special brand.

When larger than 30x30 I put a dab of glue on four corners with a dab of silicon in the centre of the tile. The silicon gives good adhesion once set and the glue sets within 5-10 second when it comes into contact with the substrate so you dont get any play time mate. You need to get it right when you first put it on the wall.

I used my spirit level with nail under it told hold on the wall to ensure that the frist row of tiles where perfectly level. In most case I worked from top to bottome or visa versa.

Be prepared to burn yourself:lol: I got holes all over my finger if the gue drips on to your hand it burns like hell and the only thing you can do to help is blow on the glue to cool it down faster:mad2: I didnt waear gloves as I hate wearing them.


use a glue gun like this
Bosch PKP18E Glue Gun 240V - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

and glue sticks like this
GLUE GUNS, GLUE STICKS, INDUSTRIAL GLUE GUNS, HOT MELT ADHESIVES

hope this helps mate

 

[aflemi]

great, so much faster than normal addy then, I assume as it's a perfectly flat surface I'm tiling onto, the levels are no prob, it's just the alignment that will need to be spot on. Would you still prime the mdf to help avoid tearing the top layers off....? Sorry for all questions but obviously all new to me glueing travertine etc. And the glue will stick to stone, just dampen them a bit I suppose?

 

[tfs]

The MDF will still rip to shreds whether you prime or paint. When they take tiles of it will damage the board and will probably need replaced after changing the tiles on display a few times. (the veneer on ply is stronger than the MDF)

I havent actualy fitted large format trav on mdf etc with glue. I have done porcelain and ceramic up to 60x60 and even 900 x 30 ceramic.

The largest stone I have done with these methods is 100x300 trav.

If you are doing mosaics it is much easier to use adhesive, i have done mosaic borders with glue and even then it can be tricky to get them perfectly straight with glue as it sets so fast. If you need to do an area of 1msq upward with mosaic try your best to get them to use tile adhesive.

Make sure that any facings around the board have been fitted square as this will allow you to make symetric equal size cuts. I have fitted on to some boards that have not been square and plumb etc and it can make you setting out look worse e.g. if you are fixing your tiles plumb and level and the board isnt standing plumb or the facing havent been fitted square then you may need to cut your bottom tiles up to a few mm in shorther or wider than the tiles on the top row.

 

[tommyzooom]

IIRC Bal Mosaic Fix is suitable for tiling over MDF (It's not just for mosaics either):smilewinkgrin: