Help!: Recover/hide bad trim!

[poshbird01]

Hi - my tiler has used curved beige plastic trim on travertine tiles in my bathroom. Unfortunately, in several areas the trim does not quite cover the edge so it looks untidy and is a bit sharp. Can you suggest options - I guess he either takes everything off or is there perhaps some travertine edging that could hide it? thanks

[cornish_crofter]

Either replace it with some deeper trim, or remove it completely and replace with a 45°fillet of grout, which could then be lightly sanded and painted the same colour of the wall.

[poshbird01]

Hi - thanks for your response. Unfortunately I can't find any trim larger than 12mm. How do you think painted grout would look compared to the travertine (the whole bathroom is tiled)? thanks again

[medlar]

personally i would opt for a deeper trim,cant understand why your tiler would use the wrong depth trim though

[poshbird01]

can you recommend where I could buy beige plastic trim which is larger than 12mm? thanks

[cornish_crofter]

Try Ceramic Tile Distributors, or CTD.

Their banner is to the left of this site. Find your local store and go and ask them. I've never had to buy trim that thick, but I'm sure you can get it.

[medlar]

never used a plastic trim over 12mm,but i have used 15mm stainless steel trim,this company supply it,not sure if they do plastic though

http://www.bigsnapsearch.co.uk/resul...FUBF&scope=web

sorry the link did not work properly,click the link then enter "tile tool store"

[Dave]

Personally i think travertine looks better without trims......Either straight flat edge or profiled...but deffo looks better without trims...

[TilingLogistics]

Rip the trim off and polish the edges to match

Kev

[poshbird01]

is that a specialist job? thanks

[kilty55]

i wouldnt advise trim especially plastic with any stone..makes it look naff.

[TilingLogistics]

is that a specialist job? thanks

Not always can you post a few pics I may be able to advise you

Kev

[poshbird01]

ok will do - back in an hour thanks

[chris.tiling]

will there be a small step back from the edge if he has used that trim? it cant be flush with the face, so would leave a step of about 8mm?

[MJT]

Grind edge of travatine just enough to take the sharpeness off then seal and polish up.
Iv'e used trim before (cos customer wanted it ?). But this is another option for you

[poshbird01]

Hi Pics below showing tile with trim and a section where trim was intended.
Would it then be possible to shape and polish? What's involved in polishing - is it a specialist job?
Thanks
IMG_0387.jpg
IMG_0386.jpg
IMG_0383.jpg

[TilingLogistics]

The edges can be polished using either hand diamond pads or by using progressive grades of wet & dry paper. There is also an option to fill using a stucco and then polish. The job would be easier with a hand polishing machine or a fein machine with a stone set. How many linear meteres are involved in total?

Kev

[garythetiler]

get him to take the the trim and top cut off and recut it so it is 1/1.5 mm over the face of the upstand this will allow you to polish the edge to a good standard buy some straw coloured polyester resin to fill the holes up and you will have the finish you are looking for i am sure that kev from tiling logistics will be able to sell you the stuff you need as he is very helpful

[poshbird01]

Hi

There's about 8.5 linear meters.

If it's something my tiler can't do either due to skills/time factors how much do you reckon it might cost a pro?

Also, could he complete the rest of the job, replacing the tiles, grouting, sealing etc then i could revisit the polishing?

If that's the case i may be tempted to have a go myself.

Thanks alot

Thanks

[TilingLogistics]

Hi

There's about 8.5 linear meters.

If it's something my tiler can't do either due to skills/time factors how much do you reckon it might cost a pro?

Also, could he complete the rest of the job, replacing the tiles, grouting, sealing etc then i could revisit the polishing?

If that's the case i may be tempted to have a go myself.

Thanks alot

Thanks

Get the tiler to leave you a 1mm lip then it can be polished reasonable easily. The cost of getting a pro in to do that job varies! For example if you were round the corner from me I would want a days labour however, if you are 400 miles away its a different story! Where are you located? as there maybe someone on here that could do it for you who is local to you!

Kev

[TilingLogistics]

get him to take the the trim and top cut off and recut it so it is 1/1.5 mm over the face of the upstand this will allow you to polish the edge to a good standard buy some straw coloured polyester resin to fill the holes up and you will have the finish you are looking for i am sure that kev from tiling logistics will be able to sell you the stuff you need as he is very helpful

Thank you for that! However, I don't sell stucco! Believe it or not it can be a little difficult to use. If you don't have the right tools in some situations when you are using and trimming and it sets on you it can be harder than granite!

Kev

[garythetiler]

Thank you for that! However, I don't sell stucco! Believe it or not it can be a little difficult to use. If you don't have the right tools in some situations when you are using and trimming and it sets on you it can be harder than granite!

Kev

dont you use it for marble repairs i know its not much good on the cristaline marbles such as thassos and carrera but for the beige and natural colours you cant beat it for internal work imo

[poshbird01]

Thanks Gary/Kev (and everyone else).

I think you've solved the way to go.

I'm in Leighton Buzzard (Beds) if there's any local specialists (prob too far from Solihull to make it worth while but if not PM me).

I'll get him to redo the tiles with the 1mm overlap - he can finish everthing else off then i can deal with the finishing.

Have to say the rest of the work looks great!

Thanks again

[TilingLogistics]

dont you use it for marble repairs i know its not much good on the cristaline marbles such as thassos and carrera but for the beige and natural colours you cant beat it for internal work imo

Gary,

I use it all the time! On nearly all stone! I buy it in 12 x 1 Litre cans in 4 different colours. However, you will know if you have used it that to do a job like that the colour needs to be mixed in one batch for the whole job and then placed in an airtight container to prevent skinning. I then only add hardner to the amount I can use. I just think you need to be reasonably skilled to use it correctly making sure the surface its bonding to is dust free and clean. It also needs to be trimmed at the right time or you end up creating work. I have no problem with letting pro tilers have some I just don't think it's something for DIY use.

Kev

[garythetiler]

i live in stevenage which isnt that far from you, if kev is too far/too busy to do it for you i will do it for you in the new year

[TilingLogistics]

Thanks Gary/Kev (and everyone else).

I think you've solved the way to go.

I'm in Leighton Buzzard (Beds) if there's any local specialists (prob too far from Solihull to make it worth while but if not PM me).

I'll get him to redo the tiles with the 1mm overlap - he can finish everthing else off then i can deal with the finishing.

Have to say the rest of the work looks great!

Thanks again

How far are you from Harrold? I ask this because my Brother lives there and I might be able to combine it with a visit to him!
As a matter of interest what is he sealing it with?

Kev

[TilingLogistics]

i live in stevenage which isnt that far from you, if kev is too far/too busy to do it for you i will do it for you in the new year

Gary,

I am always busy mate if you can do it go for it! I just posted to help out I would try and combine it with a visit to my brother but if you are in the area you would probably be able to help before me.

Kev

[poshbird01]

Thanks chaps - will let you know!

[robbbin]

Agree with dave looks better without just polish edge up

[poshbird01]

horrid plastic removed! looks 1,000 times better! thanks for your help