What's the best wall tile adhesive out there in your opinion? Obviously there's diffferent types for different applications but I mean generally.

Recommended: www.mapei.co.uk - Wall and floor tile adhesive. Available at www.TileGiant.co.uk

Any BAL products wouldnt use anything else, there is a lot of crap out there palace is one of the s*!t ones not to fond of that mapei stuff.

Tried the new Johnsons Professional range?

As you know i am new to tiling
and on my first job my customer supplied all materials including palace mutli-flex rapid set for the floor i started using it and there was somthing about it that i didnt like but topps tiles recommended it to him they also recommended he buy topps fix (topps own adh') so i checked with topps and the store i went in said they had never heard if it good comunication there then I told him to take back the topps fix tub gear and i used BAL sgl part flex for the walls as i was fixing 400 by 400.

So BAL all the way for me

As they are new to the adhesives range I think they may have a few problems (H&R Johnsons)

They're actually not new to the tile adhesives industry at all, they used to own BAL / Norcros & Dunlop before Ardex got involved. We had a technical bod reply to my post about it on these forums some time ago, the post is here http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tile-a...ahdesives.html

larsen cement based adhesives, dont use ready mixed paste.

Originally Posted by toots tiling

As they are new to the adhesives range I think they may have a few problems (H&R Johnsons)

Not even close, mate.

Originally Posted by toots tiling

Any BAL products wouldnt use anything else, there is a lot of crap out there palace is one of the s*!t ones not to fond of that mapei stuff.

Rubbish, Mapei is top gear, beats the pants off Bal. That's from experience, toots.

Mapei are also well established, they've made some unique ranges too, seen some of their stands at exhibitions and they are MASSIVE so they certainly have a good place in the market. Never really used them for long periods of time nor have I used some of their unique adhesives, like the one that sticks to tongue and groove floors, like the BAL fastflex and the likes. So I suppose I can't really say. I've heard palace isn't too professional, and things like evostick etc

Originally Posted by Admin

Mapei are also well established, they've made some unique ranges too, seen some of their stands at exhibitions and they are MASSIVE so they certainly have a good place in the market. Never really used them for long periods of time nor have I used some of their unique adhesives, like the one that sticks to tongue and groove floors, like the BAL fastflex and the likes. So I suppose I can't really say. I've heard palace isn't too professional, and things like evostick etc

I've used both Bal and Mapei tub gear for years and Mapei is much easier to spread and has a higher grip.
Newbie tilers who have only ever used Bal and rarely used Mapei(if ever), should try it. Saying that, Bal Single Part Flex(cement-based) is very good. Granfix's multi-fix tub gear is also very good and self priming.
Mapei Ultracolor grout is far superior to Bal's version. Granfix wall grout is also decent.

Dependant upon substrate that your application refers to you can't go wrong with D20 as it has built in admixes so no primer required when applying to porous surfaces therefore cutting down on working time and the properties within the adhesive ensure that you get no rolling of the ribs even after going over multiple times .Plus piece of mind to finished project. You can also hold up a breeze block with no slippage!

Palace supergrip is the one i use for ceramics on walls, totally no slip, no battens required, its quite thick and strong to trowel though. Its an acrylic class B adhesive use for dry and occasionally wet areas,

Granfix ready mix. Does the job for me, no problems

Single part and rapid for the floors both by Bal.

I think D20 and D30 are awfull to use, it just falls off the wall as you trawel up, so so frustratrating no rolling ridges?? i found that is all it does.

No such problems with BAL white star or Mapei's tub gear... spreads easy with no slippage and great sticking power.

Saying that i do find all Ardex powder stuff fantastic and i agree with you about the self primming part in D20, but apart from that YUCK!!!

I have got to agree with you with regard to Ardex D20, bloody nice to work with. I was taught with the stuff so you get used to it- i have never had problems with slippage or the need to use wall battens- they must be doing it wrong if it slips that much!!
The thing is, at the end of the day everyone will have a favourite adhesive/ grout manufacturer, if it works for you then use it, if it doesn't try something else.
I would continue to use Ardex products as they are quality and do what they say they are gonna do. I have just fixed my own tiles at home on the top of the window surround-upside down-floor to ceiling tiles. They never moved at all- I was worried that I would go downstairs and hear a big crash and find tiles lying in the bath- not so- a great adhesive-my two penny's worth!!

Neil

I like Bal whitestar for bathrooms, but I think Topps topfix is great gear aswell, very good stick.

biscem is good stuff i reckon i use it all the time in genaral use, its got a good stick and its nice and creamy too also comes in large 15lt tubs

shaun....

White star has it for me..hands down,but there are many good makes out there...never by afraid to try new ones....ask you dealer for samples free and use if you like it ...Gaz

ultra pro spes and nicobond unique are good to use

Originally Posted by Gaz @ Topps

White star has it for me..hands down,but there are many good makes out there...never by afraid to try new ones....ask you dealer for samples free and use if you like it ...Gaz

do topps give out samples then gaz???

i've only eva used BAL, so i can't really comment!

Hi all,

Be kind, as this is my 1st post on here.

I am about to embark on my 1st tileing project, the bathroom (including shower) from floor to ceiling. I have got my tiles 400*250. I was going out the weekend to get my adhesive. I was planning on getting a universal/waterproof unibond from my local B&Q. However after coming accros this site, im now wondering if this is a wise choice. Never relised there was so many adhesives around.
Any help for a complete novice would be great.
Gary

i would use a cement based adhesive on tiles that size or use granfix multiflex. i wouldnt use any adhesive from diy shops in my opinion they are crap

white star. best wall grout arduflex fs brilliant white full joints everytime

I mainly use powder gear. I like Ardex tubber D20. But, what happens when the walls are all out? Tubber gear will never go off after 4mm. I've seen that so many times with builders who reckon you can put up 300x600 with it! What if the plastering is out?

I love Mapei, don't care what people say. Their white slow set powder gear is great. And their fast set is great, it gives you a better open time then alot of the powder gear out their.

Ardex is good, but very expensive. Bal powder gear is very good.

I also use alot of Howtes grey & white SP rapid. Lovely stuff.

I hate, and repeat hate Nicobond, full stop. Their rapid set is set in the bucket in summer time before you can do anything with it. However, I like their tilers white grout, odd World!

thats the only problem i have had with nicobond adhesives. you can grout tiles after one hour it goes off that fast.