hi. can i mix an adhesive a bit wetter as i am following the instructions but it is setting too fast,

cheers for any help

I alwys mix it to manufacturers instructions mate, are you using rapid set? if so, why not use a standard set instead to give you more working time. Or mix up smaller quantities at the appropriate mix ratios

yes it was rapid set. i have done the job now but it was a pain i will consider that in the future. cheers

As Doug said above

I'm not the fastest tiler so I try to use something with a longer pot life or mix small amounts

What adhesive was it

Mapei adhesives give a much longer pot life.. even rapid ones..

Run the tap for a few mins to get cooler.

Mix smaller amounts.

Dry cut as much as poss beforehand.

Keep everything in the shade.

You didn't say whether you were mixing it by hand or with power whisk. If you were using a whisk and were mixing it on too fast a setting, it generates friction in the adhesive, therefore heat, hence a very quick setting cement, perhaps try mixing at a slower speed or do it by hand with a bucket trowel, it will give you a longer working time.

Don't use Biscem fast set because it does rapidly

I cant understand the obsession with using rapid set so much, I would say that unless you want to grout or have access over on the same day or on stone with a high bleed porosity there is no need to use it.a good quality C2S1 white std set is all you need

Originally Posted by thespanishtiler

I cant understand the obsession with using rapid set so much, I would say that unless you want to grout or have access over on the same day or on stone with a high bleed porosity there is no need to use it.a good quality C2S1 white std set is all you need

Unless its on timber where you need to use fast set

Originally Posted by pjc

Unless its on timber where you need to use fast set

direct to timber or timber subtrate prepared with board (cement or wedi generic) or crack isolation matting ?

The rapid addy i like for floors is cheaper than other brands, thats why i use it.its made by a respectable company anyway but just labelled different. it also helps me to be more quick and i can grout it the same day. Less money out for materials and more money in for time saving.
Although i do believe in the right addy for the right job. Ill use a generally more expensive rapid addy with better slump properties for wall tiling. ill use a standard set addy for mosaics and other tiles for just that little bit longer working time. I always try to use rapid addy tho as it pressures me to work that bit quicker but still aiming for a spot on job.

as with setting too quickly i will mix smaller amounts always making sure to clean my bucket and tools out not using same water and always planning ahead as far as the job will allow.

Hi simmy08

all fair points and it obviously works for you.
I feel sometimes there is an element of tilers bravado about using rapid set and a feeling that doing so makes you a 'pro tiler'
I only use cement based addy and 80% of the time it is a standard set C2S1
and i use it over prepared timber subtrates

Originally Posted by thespanishtiler

direct to timber or timber subtrate prepared with board (cement or wedi generic) or crack isolation matting ?

direct to timber or timber substrate

Originally Posted by pjc

direct to timber or timber substrate

for what reason ?

hi.last week i noticed the rapid set was going off extra quick.
when the shop enquired to bondmaster it turns out for the cold weather they made it so that it would go off faster.
maybe you got some of that batch.

Originally Posted by macken

hi.last week i noticed the rapid set was going off extra quick.
when the shop enquired to bondmaster it turns out for the cold weather they made it so that it would go off faster.
maybe you got some of that batch.

i think the summer/winter mix story is a get out used to fob us off.

I have used the same brand of spf rapid for 4 years and it has been 100% consistant winter, spring, summer and autum

Originally Posted by thespanishtiler

for what reason ?

moisture

how is moisture an issue if you are tiling onto :-

ci or wp matting laid overtimber - waterproof
wedi laid over timber - waterproof
hardie backer laid over timber - water resistant

all these products are laid on spf rapid for moisture reasons but once down the tiling can be done with a standard set.

i never use ply as an over board as its a 2nd rate solution.

Originally Posted by thespanishtiler

how is moisture an issue if you are tiling onto :-

ci or wp matting laid overtimber - waterproof
wedi laid over timber - waterproof
hardie backer laid over timber - water resistant

all these products are laid on spf rapid for moisture reasons but once down the tiling can be done with a standard set.

i never use ply as an over board as its a 2nd rate solution.

yes i agree You are a lucky guy i wish i could have that luxury

Originally Posted by pjc

yes i agree You are a lucky guy i wish i could have that luxury

no worries pjc i didnt want to come accross in the wrong way,

I just like to work with white C2S1 (benfer)

The thing is I feel alot of guys new to the trade feel pressured to use rapid as its held up as the 'professional' way to work.

we see alot of threads about this and i am sure that some guys use tubbed rather than cement based after a bad experiance with rapid.

also tile shops tend not to carry a standard set cement based C2S1 or C2S1E in white.

white C2S1, white C2S1F and grey C2S1F will do most jobs and a tubbed product will never go in the back of my van.

Originally Posted by thespanishtiler

no worries pjc i didnt want to come accross in the wrong way,

I just like to work with white C2S1 (benfer)

The thing is I feel alot of guys new to the trade feel pressured to use rapid as its held up as the 'professional' way to work.

we see alot of threads about this and i am sure that some guys use tubbed rather than cement based after a bad experiance with rapid.

also tile shops tend not to carry a standard set cement based C2S1 or C2S1E in white.

white C2S1, white C2S1F and grey C2S1F will do most jobs and a tubbed product will never go in the back of my van.

i wouldn't use rapid if i didn't have to on domestics sometimes you need to to finish and grout but if you don't need to don't with shop fitters walking on your fingers you need to why when you have 1200 mts they have get on the bit you are tiling i could never work out but thats shop fitters

just to add they do make different mixes for different markets and times of year but a lot of them blame flash setting on it

Yeh its the old 'horses for courses' saying.

some other trades just dont get what we do or dont care, in spain tilers are much more respected by the other trades.

i take what you say about mixes at times of year, and if they can change the setting speed to allow for ambient/water temperatures for differant markets then if we get a flash setting batch i guess it more likely they just over egged a mix ? but they rarley admit to making a bad batch. as i said i have never experianced it with benfer and i doubt if they make a mix specificaly for the uk market. i have had it with some uk manufactured products but they where cheaper brands and you get what you pay for. hence i dont use them other than for patching up poor walls.

thanks for your comments