DIY Related: Wall prep for heavy ceramic tiles

[simbob]

I've got some 10mm thick 50x50cm ceramic tiles which are pretty heavy, they're going onto Stud walls which were plastered last year but unfortunately painted as well, what's the best prep for pre-painted walls? I don't want these bad boys falling off!

[Sir Ramic]

Cant tile to painted walls and those tiles will be too heavy for skimmed plasterboard i would guess.

[simbob]

I could sand the areas back with an orbital or belt sander, or wedi board type stuff?

[Sir Ramic]

Its the skim thats the problem then.

[Bri]

If it's a stud wall cant you rip the skimmed boards off and re-board with a cement board? Much safer with regards to the weight limits, and a better surface to tile to.

[simbob]

I'm not tiling the whole wall, just where the shower/basin are, but probably could chop out a section. Just had another look and i think part of the wall is solid (is an old house so likely), lower down seems solid and higher up is hollow (the room is in the converted roof space).