Rapid v Standard Set (Mixing)

[Colour Republic]

With reference to Gonners thread it has made me think of something...

Do you ever use rapid and standard set on the same job? Not as in mixing the two together or even on the same job but different tiling areas, but would you ever maybe use standard set and rapid set on say the same floor? lets say the floor is 30sqm.

Let me explain my thinking...

As I undertake a lot of plasterboard jointing and also filling on decoration jobs I often use different set Gyproc Easi-fil's on the same area.

Easi-Fil comes in 'standard set', '45 min set' and also now '20 min set'.

First thing to note is that the times stated are not how long after application you can sand the product but how long after it has hardened enough to apply a second coat, so if I was jointing a large area, I may well use a 45min set for the first coat which is thicker and takes longer to apply, but then as the second coat I may well apply a 20 min set, as the second coat is thin and quicker to apply so I don't need the bucket life but want it to set quicker for a few different reasons.

In tiling it is reversed (well in my case) . Lets use that floor as an example, I may well want to use a radid set addy on the field tiles in order to get them down and be able to walk on them to sort out my cuts on the same day, so when it comes to the cuts I may want a bit more bucket life rather than be rushed... so......

How often would you guys use different set addys to suit the task in hand? I understand that on occassion you will have just bought the one type of addy for that job but in many cases you will have a diffrent set addy sitting in the van.

[Bri]

I quite often use both, rapid to do all the whole tiles, let it set so I can walk on it, then slow set for the cuts so I'm not rushing or mixing tiny amounts at a time.

[stevee]

as above ,also in the summer when its hot i mix a bit of standard in with the rapido too stop it going off so fast

works a treat

[doug boardley]

I stick to the same one.

[Stewart]

Same for me, I wouldn't like to come unstuck mixing my adhesives........

[Mike]

i just use rapid for floors, after laying all the full tiles i do all the cuts and just put them down in one go with rapid too. i use standard set for walls tho.

[nybor62]

just rapid for floors do the cuts as we go , as there is all ways 2 of us , 1 will bang cuts in

[aph257]

Yeah Rapid set for floors i do the feild tiles in one then cut and dry lay then mix another batch of rapid to fix them. Standard set for walls though. same as MikeF above really

[jay]

just stick to the same

[Stewart]

Interesting to see how many guys fix their field tiles then do their cuts. Personally I hate doing it that way and always do my cuts as I go as I find it much quicker and there's nothing worse than having to do a load of cuts on one go.

[Mike]

doing the actual cuts don't bother me, i just find it quicker to mark and cut a lot of tiles in one go and the adhesive don't go off then.

[pjc]

i don't use standard set in shops but always did if i didn't need to get on it that day or start the job with standard then use rapid as i went along always found it was easier to get up when you needed to put a little more adhesive under the tile rather than use a kango lol

[Dave]

I never mix adhesive choice on floors or walls.. once started stick to the same.. i might use rapid on the floor and slow on the walls but never mix

Keeps it all same same..

[Bri]

as above ,also in the summer when its hot i mix a bit of standard in with the rapido too stop it going off so fast

works a treat

Isn't it advised that you don't mix different types of adhesive together like this? I'm sure any guarantee would be void if anything failed.

[andy allen]

rapid set.........and do the cuts as i go

[Colour Republic]

Thanks for the replies so far guys

Interesting to see how many guys fix their field tiles then do their cuts. Personally I hate doing it that way and always do my cuts as I go as I find it much quicker and there's nothing worse than having to do a load of cuts on one go.

Yeah I do it both ways but as an average I normally do the cuts as I go on walls but often do them after on floors, that's mainly down to using rapid on floors and standard on walls

[andy8758]

Interesting post guys. I know that most adhesive manufacturers encourage mixing of different products to different tasks e.g.
- Using thick bed self level compound in one floor area , and standard (cheap) set in another.
- Using standard setting floor adhesive in kitchen to save costs, but extra fast rapid set for washing machine or fridge floor area.
If you should not mix their products they normally state that on packaging. However no one recommends different manufacturers products used for tiling same area.

Also note comment from Stewart about different attitudes of different tilers to laying floor tiles. Two considerations here - do what you have to to make a good installation, then do what you can to do it as quickly as possible. Now that does depend on the size and type of room. If tiling a small bathroom, including cuts around toilet and sink pedestal I always dry cut first - I was taught that you lay the whole tiles first, then you know you can get the cuts spot on. For larger rooms I tend to lay all the whole tiles from centre to edges in quadrants. Then cut edge tiles and lay all in one go. I find that more accurate and quicker for me - again taking the way I was taught - making cuts from surrounding whole tiles.