I used tub adhesive to tile 17 inch by 12 inch tiles. I now realize that it was a mistake, as they don't seem to be drying and now I need to take the tiles off and use cement based adhesive. I was just wondering,
which type of cement based adhesive would be right for the size of tiles?
Once I have mixed the adhesive, how much time I would get with such adhesives?
Do you apply these adhesives in the same way (notched trowel) as tub stuff?
And finally. The tiles in the corners are cuts and about half a tile or less, could I leave them as they are? Or would it be best to redo all?

we will need a little more info, like what wre you sticking the tiles to, plaster, plasterboard, render etc.? make sure that you clean all the tiles you have taken off.before refixing. soaking in water should work.

well its a mix of surfaces. Around 2 and half walls are plaster board. Half a wall is skim and one wall has some paint on it.

The tiles are 6mm thick, if that makes any difference.

Well the adhesive is still wettish, so I plan on scraping it off and refixing with new adhesive straight away.

as above clean all tubbed addy of should be easy and if you are going onto new plaster you will need to prime the walls first and my choice would be mapei keraflex pot life around 4 hours and would be best to remove all tiles better safe than sorry !

your tiles are already cut to size so rapid set adhesive should be fine.use notched trowel and prime the walls beforehand.
old adhesive should be handy to scrape off seeing as it hasnt set properly.
i only use ready mix adhesive for 4 x 4 kitchen wall tile.
good luck

Is priming a must? I have never primed in the past and never had any issues.

Hoe much working time would I get with rapid set adhesive?

I allways prime, rapid set differs from company to company

priming is essential imo.
working time varies.
what product do you plan to use

with cement based adhesives and gypsum substrates priming is essential!, no real need to prime bare plasterboard apart from the bare edges where gypsum is exposed.

So how does priming works? Is it a liquid that I would need to paint on the skimmed walls? Does the painted wall also needs priming. can you guys recommend a primer and an adhesive to use. Would any rapid set cement based adhesive be fine?

It is a liquid, check the manufacturers instructions on the bottle.....

Mapei, bal apd will be fine, I use a brush to apply

Thanks for the advice. Does the painted areas need priming?

Originally Posted by sall2009

Thanks for the advice. Does the painted areas need priming?

The paint needs to be removed, you should never tile over paint.

With regard to the paint the very scientific test is to get a length of sellotape, about 12" or so, stick it on the paint and leave for about 10 mins. After that rip it off and if there is paint adhering to the tape then that will tell you that it is not suitable for applying adhesive and tiles to it.

Sellotape isn't suitable, it has to be a tape with a strong adhesion, something like gaffer tape etc.. but the best and safest method is to remove it..

You can use an extended set adhesive. Mapei maxiflex has a pot life of between 6-8 hours depending on temperature. Infact it goes lasts longer in the bucket than if you were using tubbed as it doesnt crust around the eges like tubbed.

I have bought some keraquick, so I guess I'll have to work quick with it.

Originally Posted by sall2009

I have bought some keraquick, so I guess I'll have to work quick with it.

Just mix small amounts that you are confident with, its too expensive to waste.

Originally Posted by diamondtiling

Just mix small amounts that you are confident with, its too expensive to waste.

Around 5kg a go should be ok? All the tiles are ready to tile and I'm quite quick to apply adhesive and tile.

Originally Posted by sall2009

Around 5kg a go should be ok? All the tiles are ready to tile and I'm quite quick to apply adhesive and tile.

Go for it mate and post some pictures when your done.