mosaics! help!!

[pursedog]

hey guys,

was wondering if ya had any tips when working with mosaics?
i am finding it difficult at the moment. getting a clean cut finish is hard going and i'm not happy with the adhesive coming through mesh as it is hard to keep the tiles clean, even though i try not to put too much on.
just seeing if there is an easy way or is it practice, practice practice?!!

[whitebeam]

If there thin mosaics I use the flat edge of the trowel and just a couple mil to avoid addy squeezing thru the joints

[pursedog]

that makes sense. forgot to add im using travis perkins adhesive from another job and it is shocking!

[Sir Ramic]

Originally Posted by pursedog

that makes sense. forgot to add im using travis perkins adhesive from another job and it is shocking!

Then dont use it. Get some decent adhesive and a 4mm trowel.

[robbo]

What size trowel are you using? A 3-4mm mosaic trowel is ideal and just clean as you go...

[CTD Marie]

Bal Mosaic fix adhesive from us at CDT is £14.90 for 5kg. Not sure how this price compares to others. Its a adhesive special formulated for fixing mosaic tiles.

The price is retail.

Are you a trades man??

[enduro]

I use a 3mm mosaic trowel, and use my grout flout to push them into adhesive on wall. And when im tiling with mosaic or normal wall tiles i always have a paint brush in my water bucket then if and adhesive comes through the joints i can clean it out with the brush...Works a treat

[mz30]

Originally Posted by enduro

I use a 3mm mosaic trowel, and use my grout flout to push them into adhesive on wall. And when im tiling with mosaic or normal wall tiles i always have a paint brush in my water bucket then if and adhesive comes through the joints i can clean it out with the brush...Works a treat

Me too

[smartile]

3mm notched trowel for me too...aswell as plenty of patience...I hate doing mosaics at the best of times and why do customers think you can put them on rough old walls with big craters and end up with a perfect finish????..Im a tiler not a miracle worker

[pursedog]

using a 6mm trowel. seriously losing patience! tiles were expensive and if they weren't id have smashed it by now tiles covered in addy and cant clean them cause every time i do they move cause the crap stuff im using takes ages to set. i hate learning the hard way.
least i know for next time..........................................

[smartile]

I seriously feel for you mate. Best advice if you still have more to do is get hold of a 3mm trowel and atleast limit any further probs rather than continuing with a 6mm. The rib of 6mm will leave the mosaics balancing on the addy and is too much when you pad them down. 3mm will certainly improve this big time...good luck keep smiling

[devonmark]

2 or a 3mm v notched for me...grout float to bed them..Mark.