D
doug boardley
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to get through some pin pricks after grouting would be like winning the lottery tho' about 14,000,000 to 1 😛unk::ban:me?
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to get through some pin pricks after grouting would be like winning the lottery tho' about 14,000,000 to 1 😛unk::ban:me?
Leather face will be interested to see how you get on with this pre grout method i suggest you try a couple first leave untill you can get the paper of and see how it goes dont do a large area and try it you might come unstuck these things are a nightmare at the best of times without making it even harder. The best way to work these tiles is with 3mm trowel and it helps if the background is perfectly flat, it sounds daunting cleaning tiles of when addy has gone of a bit but if they are on a nice tight bed not much comes through and easy to clean the scabby bits of with a 3 inch nail and a stiff brush.Lucius
O
oogabooga
Anyone tried that liquid additive that mixes with grout to form an adhesive?. Fix and grout at the same time seems like it might be a lot faster. Apart from borders etc, mosaics are not that popular in my area, so I've never had reason to try it out.
C
CBTC
The pre-grout method is good for large area work, typically pools, but I found that you lose too much control of the sheet. In any case as mosaic girl pointed out it still has to have a full grout pass and clean anyway to finish it correctly. The risk for less experienced fixers is taking the paper off too soon and loosing pieces and disturbing the work generally.
Many other points to quality mosaic installation but the requirement to have a high quality background is the start - think of it as hanging wallpaper in that respect; there can be no dubbing out of the material in the fix process - it all goes west then!
The mosaic companies are turning over to mesh backing more and more, however for other reasons these are not so desirable in some respects of fixing mosaic. The paper carrying system sufficed for many years. Re setting sheets - they dont need pinnning as they are too light. The adhesive you're using must be too wet or too thickly applied if you find they need holding up.
Well done mosaic girl for doing a course to understand the install issues for your work - to do yourself or advise others or clients. It is a part that lets down some buyers of commisioned work in that it is the install part that goes wrong too often.
Many other points to quality mosaic installation but the requirement to have a high quality background is the start - think of it as hanging wallpaper in that respect; there can be no dubbing out of the material in the fix process - it all goes west then!
The mosaic companies are turning over to mesh backing more and more, however for other reasons these are not so desirable in some respects of fixing mosaic. The paper carrying system sufficed for many years. Re setting sheets - they dont need pinnning as they are too light. The adhesive you're using must be too wet or too thickly applied if you find they need holding up.
Well done mosaic girl for doing a course to understand the install issues for your work - to do yourself or advise others or clients. It is a part that lets down some buyers of commisioned work in that it is the install part that goes wrong too often.
M
MTiler
Compared to mesh backed paper faced mosaics are much more suitable for fixing onto curved edges/corners or awkward shapes as the paper has more give even when the sheets are cut into strips. It can done with mesh backed mosaics but takes longer.
MissyT
MissyT
Attachments
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CBTC
Yes - exactly Miss Tiler...plus finer tuning of the material cane be done in various situations as well. Having to cut through the tiles into a mesh is more disruptive and time comsuming per cut made than on paper faced.
T
tubs
Interesting topic, I have recently finished a job using mosaics with plastic sticker covering the front of the whole sheet, it was only a splashback, I found it hard to see the grout lines,however i prefer to use mesh backed mosaics !
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L
Leatherface
I know mate, did a job recently with them where they had to be fixed to a couple of pillars ( basically plastic soil pipe ) Because they had plastic on front, fixing them to a curve forced all the joints together, so I had to cut into individual strips prior to fixing, took ages. Also took ages to peel the plastic off afterwards
R
R Montgomery
If you are completely comfortable with the paper fronted mosaics ie. all the timing issues with removing the paper you should give it a try as it makes it even easier to install them.Less slippage, quicker paper removal and if you are confident in your helpers ability to grout them at the right time a lot quicker.You will never go back.Also I always start at the bottom as I can't think of any reason not to and I just prefer it that way.One other thing is that I would check the sheets to see if the tiles are aligned well and if they aren't I wouldn't grout from the back.You can still adjust them after the paper comes off but you are doing more touch up on the grout and having more things to think about as everything is going off.Maybe get use to grouting from the back when you are on a job were the sheets are good before doing it on a job were the sheets are bad and need a lot of adjustment.Hopefully the sheets are good on this job because you will love it.Good luck Leatherface.
