hi.

i am tiling a bathroom with 400mm x 300mm tiles.with BAL white star is this good enough adhesive.and do i need to prime or bond the wall with anything(1 wall plasterboard and new plastered wall)

thanks

Hi, I am no expert but i think for that size tile you need to use a Spf adhesive (not tubbed) as that size tile will not let the water disperse and the adhesive will not dry, a bit like putting the lid back on the tubbed adhesive, white star is nice addy but for smaller format ceramic tiles. and if you do use spf adhesive then yes you do need to prime first, always read the adhesive instructions and listen to the pros on here they give great advice, its where i have picked up all the best tips and practices.
Hope this helps.

Hi Wheely, those tiles are really a bit too big for White Star. it is a "dispersion" adhesive which means it dries by evaporation. There is a good possibility that the adhesive in the centre of the tile will never dry and you would really need to wait at least a week before grouting if you do use it.

Much better to use something like Mapei Keraflex or equivalent from other manufacturers which is a powdered cement based adhesive that you need to mix. You will need to prime your surfaces with an acrylic primer of some sort, like Mapei Primer G first.

thanks for advice.the white star was suppiled by the shop i brought the tiles from.think i will be taking it back.
thanks again

can you recomend a BAL product for this job

BAL Spf will be fine. Still need to prime though...BAL APD is the product to use if it is only BAL you can get. If the tiles are light in colour, you may want to consider a white SPF. This will help to disguise any adhesive you may not clean off properly and show through the grout. if you are careful though with your cleaning, then grey will be fine.

Originally Posted by Gazebo

Hi, I am no expert but i think for that size tile you need to use a Spf adhesive (not tubbed) as that size tile will not let the water disperse and the adhesive will not dry, a bit like putting the lid back on the tubbed adhesive, white star is nice addy but for smaller format ceramic tiles. and if you do use spf adhesive then yes you do need to prime first, always read the adhesive instructions and listen to the pros on here they give great advice, its where i have picked up all the best tips and practices.
Hope this helps.

thats spot on mate spf is the only thing to use for large format tiles

is there a certain size trowel needed for fixing these tiles to the wall.

thanks for the replys

new to all this

Just in case you can get mapei.....adeselix p9 is a great adhesive and a damn site cheaper to buy than bal products.

Originally Posted by wheely08

is there a certain size trowel needed for fixing these tiles to the wall.

thanks for the replys

new to all this

i would go for a 10mm trowel

just to get good contact