Looking into the tile stores in the last few weeks and it seems most around here stock larsen producta.This AM I came acroos a shop that stocks Benfer addy, grouts etc and the sales who knew me from some work done for the family said she would give me 40% trade discount on their products.
I know she was trying to make a customer of me but if this Benfer (direct from Italy no less ) range is ok it would definitey make a good markup on any tiling jobs for .
Do any of you lads have an knowledge of this range.

I have heard of it but never used it. I can't recall hearing anything bad about it. Why don't you give it a try and get back to us and tell us what you think?

It's been mentioned a few times.


http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tilers...-adhesive.html

http://www.tilersforums.co.uk/tile-a...adhesives.html

I use Benfer and love it, never had a problem or complaint in the many years I have used it.

I use it regularly.

I've used it with everything from ceramic to marble - Good stuff!!!

i just used some benferflex to lay some 600x600 polished porc and i thought it was fine. seemed to take a bit longer to set than dunlop or pci that i normally use but it is cold it the room i was working so i put it down to that

Good prices as well

Originally Posted by cotb

i just used some benferflex to lay some 600x600 polished porc and i thought it was fine. seemed to take a bit longer to set than dunlop or pci that i normally use but it is cold it the room i was working so i put it down to that

Why do they mention a max tile size of 40x40 in the instruction booklet?

Seen a few issues with benfers acrylic primer on anhydrite but am fairly convinced they have been application issues e.g. over diluted, not enough coats etc and then cement addy placed on top leading to the dreaded ettrignite. Other than that I have not come across them much - I understand they are very cheap though so worth considering in this current ecconomic climate. Would prefer to see calcium sulphate addy on anhydrite. Benfer do one called Benfergyps.

Originally Posted by barclay

Why do they mention a max tile size of 40x40 in the instruction booklet?

That will be for the cheaper internal small format stuff (black bag). Still a nice addy, used it on a multi colour slate job recently.

I normally use Benferflex though. The orange bag is grey addy and the pink is the white addy, both are great and well flexible. Can be used with porcelain, UFH and on timber floors .

Going to try the white C2, 25kg for £18 retail can't be bad!

I've not used the C2 (yellow bag, I think?), myself, but have been told it is very good.

Let us know how you get on with it, please. And don't forget some pictures, too.

I have used it before too,liked it aswell.
Benferflex etc.good stuff.

very nice addy, the spf has a nice bucket life, a bit longer than most. the white is the whitest spf i have come across, the grout comes in a wide range of colours including red, pink, blue etc the plastic bags it comes in are rubbish though and split easy in the van. i would have no problem recomending the gear but still prefer mapei

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

I've not used the C2 (yellow bag, I think?), myself, but have been told it is very good.

Let us know how you get on with it, please. And don't forget some pictures, too.

Will do.
I've opted for this as I'm no pro so pot life was important. I've used Mapei grout before and found it too rapid setting. Got there in the end and the tiles looked great but I'd prefer something with a larger window for working.

The Benfer adhesive waas superb, easy to mix to a dough like consistency and didn't go off for about 2hrs (I was tiling during the heat wave!). I just mixed the entire bag in a flexi tub, took my time and had enough scope to make minor adjustments later if I wished. Rubi spacers were also much better than the Wickes stuff.
Job isn't complete (1st job, 50sqm, 5 days) and I'll grout after cleaning and sealing but am a bit stuck on 2 things:
1. White or silver grey grout (2mm spacers)??
2. Is there a grout out there that doesn't snap set like Mapei Ultra without colour variation issues? I'm unlikely to do the whole lot in one day!
Cheers,
BH.

nice job u done mate.steve

Nice job mate...

We have a monthly competiton in the tilers arms where you can win some really good prizes from cutters to holidays( aprils)...read the where's the key to the tilers arms ,get in there and enter this months comp with those pics mate...


Where's the door to the Tilers Forums Arms?

pm me with the said details..

That looks a lovely job you've done there Barclay - well done!

I'd avoid white grout if you can, although Ardex FS is dirt repellent, so not too bad for floors. I'd see what makes of grout you can get locally and make a decision from there.

thanks Guys.

Shouldn't I wait till the jobs complete?

to enter in comp?, you've got till end of July

Originally Posted by Captain Slow

That looks a lovely job you've done there Barclay - well done!

I'd avoid white grout if you can, although Ardex FS is dirt repellent, so not too bad for floors. I'd see what makes of grout you can get locally and make a decision from there.

Thanks again. I'd never have attempted doing this without the wealth of knowledge on this forum! Think I'll go for a silver grey Ardex FS but does it set as quickly as Mapei?

Originally Posted by doug boardley

to enter in comp?, you've got till end of July

And be a tilers arms member...

Originally Posted by barclay

Thanks again. I'd never have attempted doing this without the wealth of knowledge on this forum! Think I'll go for a silver grey Ardex FS but does it set as quickly as Mapei?

Ardex should give you a 2 hour bucket life, so a little longer .

Where is this shop that sells Benfer. I know of stockists up north but need someone in the Mids and South

Originally Posted by Ajax123

Where is this shop that sells Benfer. I know of stockists up north but need someone in the Mids and South

Not exactly the Mids, but I can give you the details for two outlets in Cambridge, PM me for the details mate.

Originally Posted by Ajax123

Where is this shop that sells Benfer. I know of stockists up north but need someone in the Mids and South

My supplier is in Hertford and has very good service. I can PM the details if you want.

Originally Posted by barclay

My supplier is in Hertford and has very good service. I can PM the details if you want.

Yes Please. On the basis that Benfer are 1 of only 2 manufacturers I know of who make Gypsum Based Addy and supply the UK the more outlets I know of the better.

Ta

If anyone knows of any other Gypsum Based adhesives I would appreciate the info.

There's a suppier of benfer in watford, may be a bit far though

Thanks to all who have responded to this thread. It is most usefull. I have now been in direct contact with Benfer allbeit their English is far superior to my Italian. Anyway they are supposed to be sending me a list of all their UK outlets so I should have all the info I need.

Many thanks one and all

Ajax