tiling on mdf

[smidy69]

i have a job where i need to tile mosiacs onto a onto a mdf panel in a pub, mdf cant come off as there is wooden panels glued and screwed on top and cant put tilebacker board on top as landord wants the mosiacs to be inset in the panels and not flush. BAL mosiac-fix says that you can tile onto mdf with their product. Has anyone ever used it on mdf? and how well did it hold up? would i need to scratch the mdf and use BAL SBR Primer? 2 areas each 900x700mm. would never tile onto mdf before but no way round it.

 

[Bubblecraft]

I would defo key the surface & prime with an SBR primer at minimum. If Bal mosaic fix is saying it can be used on MDF well I would go with that. The Tech sheet says you can.
Broken Link Removed
I've never done it before so can't tell you how well it'll hold up

 

[Dougs Third Go]

I certainly wouldn't risk it in a wet/humid area. I've never tiled onto it, but if needs must and Bal claim their product can do it, fair play, can't see it not needing a coat of primer though.

 

[Ian]

I did a fireplace feature wall onto MDF, used mosaic fix and primed with SBR, was 18 months ago and it's still up as far as I'm aware!

 

[bugs183]

It's ok to tile to so long as it's not going to get damp, if it does it swells, then more water gets in and it just gets worse.
Mosaic fix is great stuff and really sticks. It may be worth coating with a tanking membrane if you think it's going to get wet.

 

[smidy69]

spec sheet says "Plywood, Chipboard and MDF on walls

(internal dry areas only)

Ensure boards (i) can carry expected load without excessive
deflection; (ii) are dry, rigid and securely fixed, with no
protruding fixings.
Insert noggings to support all board edges and to allow screw
fixing at 300mm centres.
seal side and edges on back of boards with neat BAL BOND SBR
priming agent.
Do NOT seal or prime surfaces to be tiled.


condused?!

 

[smidy69]

It's ok to tile to so long as it's not going to get damp, if it does it swells, then more water gets in and it just gets worse.
Mosaic fix is great stuff and really sticks. It may be worth coating with a tanking membrane if you think it's going to get wet.

it is not in a wet area, out in main area of pub

 

[Bubblecraft]

That may be tricky to seal the back & sides of the MDF if its pre-fixed. If it says don't prime surface, then don't.

I would show the spec sheet to your customer & politely refuse to do it but if he says he his happy to except the consequences then just have him sign a disclaimer that you have advised the correct method & he understands the consequences if it fails

 

[Bubblecraft]

A membrane seems a great idea, but how do you apply that to MDF?

 

[bugs183]

I'd use Mapelastic, but if the area isn't going to get wet then i wouldn't tank it.
Mdf is weird stuff and it was being used everywhere, people just wouldn't listen when i said DON'T use it for shower walls, they soon learned.
But always been fine so long as it doesn't get wet.

 

[On one]

In previous life I did 3 yrs on Social Housing refurbs which including tiling small moisture resistant MDF boxings under the boilers with Bal Whitestar.(think it did say on the tub it was possible) Everyone cracked within 2 days of being grouted! but still told to get on with it for 3 yrs!

 

[dave l and l]

i have tiled on it and failed on it. joiner forcing the issue a few years back, never again, its a very poor surface it expands and contracts so much tiles will pop of, and if it gets wet it will turn to mush,
i have noticed a few of these wet wall / shower panels are made of mdf, thats a problem waiting to happen

 

[Perry]

it fine as long as the adhesive has no water in it :yikes: