Help!: Glass mosaic - best adhesive?

[timeless john]

Hi - I'am John and I've got a question?
I've been asked to tile a wall in a bathroom - feature wall away from water - and the tile is a glass mosaic.
Its very expensive and from that earth shop. Its clear with an oily appearance.
Now I'am thinking it needs to be a white (whitest adhesive possible) and they seem quite heavy (so non slip adhesive).
Which do you think is the best adhesive to use on this job.
Thanks in advance.

[tommyzooom]

I'd probably go for BAL Mosaic Fix,
Very white and good non slip

Pricey tho

[Dave]

what is the backing John..?



Some need to epoxy fixed.... which i suppose you know anyway.

Colour bonded or painted.. ?

[Rich]

Hello John and welcome to the forum

Are you going to be looking for a standard or extended addy? I haven't used the mosaic fix but it I have heard good things.

[user123]

What colour grout are you planning to use, John?

[blocko]

John, I have always used Mapei Adesilix P10. It is ultra bright white and so easy to work with. A bit pricey though.
Big bags are 25kg's instead of 20kg which is odd
I wouldnt use anything else for expensive glass mosaic

[Phil Hobson]

Hi John, andI have no idea but good luck anyway I was just walking past and someone made me sit at their laptop and made me type something

[deanotile]

*Hi John if you have a problem customer then you may consider using blue tack it is grrrrrrrr8 for non slip and as you are new to the game if you make a mistake you can just pull them back of* but it is blue*

[user123]

Whatever adhesive you use has to match the grout colour, otherwise it'll look a royal mess...the different shades will shine through the glass..

[kilty55]

you can get white tack now also

[user123]

you can get white tack now also

and self adhesive velcro...

[whitebeam]

If you find the job a bit to complicated we have a section I'm Looking for a Wall and Floor Tiler saves hashing the job right up

[kilty55]

velcro huh.......kinky

[timeless john]

And I thought this was the proper place to get advice!!!!!!!

Just as well I know you all.

Anyway, they are clear cellophane tacky front fixed sheets, but the adhesive will 'taint' the final visual look of the tile - so I'am after the whitest, the colour of the grout will be my next thread!

Today I skimmed the walls over with a white (ish) adhesive so no background colour would bleed through, and with all this invaluable information I am now in a better position to make my final choice.

If I use 'white tack' would I have to put a piece on each sheet or each tile (11,250) and as each tile is 20x20mm what size blob (if that is the technical description) would you suggest.

Thanks for all your 'help' and if it's successful I'll try and post some pictures.

[deanotile]

mosaic fix i think is prb your best bet m8 but no harm in trying the *'white tack'

[whitebeam]

I believe there maybe some tack specialists available...

[jay]

Timeless get some laticrete 4327 morter admix mix it neat with the grout you intend to use (white if i read right) then use as an adhesive http://www.laticrete.com.au/uploads/...ta%20Sheet.pdf

[MissTiler]

Keraflex white will have a good hold.

[kilty55]

as it happens i have a small hand made glass job next week...going to use p10 and half water half isolastic to fix

[kilty55]

had to buy this p10 stuff because the shop ran out of white tack

[MissTiler]

P10 is good, but I always have to order it.

[kilty55]

me too missy tiler

[Phil Hobson]

And I thought this was the proper place to get advice!!!!!!!

Just as well I know you all.

Anyway, they are clear cellophane tacky front fixed sheets, but the adhesive will 'taint' the final visual look of the tile - so I'am after the whitest, the colour of the grout will be my next thread!

Today I skimmed the walls over with a white (ish) adhesive so no background colour would bleed through, and with all this invaluable information I am now in a better position to make my final choice.

If I use 'white tack' would I have to put a piece on each sheet or each tile (11,250) and as each tile is 20x20mm what size blob (if that is the technical description) would you suggest.

Thanks for all your 'help' and if it's successful I'll try and post some pictures.

Yes John you are right, blob, is the correct technical term. good luck mate

[Rich]

Have you thought about using flour and water? I use it to fix all my tiles and it can also be used as grout

[user123]

Have you thought about using flour and water? I use it to fix all my tiles and it can also be used as grout

You forgot the salt - salt dough is very longlasting and can be varnished... needs a lot of salt though... papermache could make great grout, oh and there is chewed up chewing gum, of course, icewhite should do it??

[Rich]

Nah, the salt will cost to much. Iv been using flour and water for 173 years and Iv never had a problem

[timeless john]

Update - all tiled and thanks for all your advice - it's certainly the place to come for all the friendly help that I've received. I won't hesitate to ask again when I start my next project - the Tyne Tunnel.

As I went to a trade show this morning I picked up a 20kg bag of Mosaic Fix - and I have to admit a lovely white adhesive which mixed to a thick smooth consistency and lasted well in the bucket for use.
Now when I go back tomorrow, to do a floor in a 450x450 porcelain, I'll check to see if they are still on the wall.
I have no doubt they will be but that is before I try to take the cellophane off the fronts, it seems very well adhered.

I shall be doing a couple of test swatches for the grout as I don't want to loose the depth of the tile that is visible at present. Does anyone know if you can get a translucent grout as I don't think I will get away with clear silicone on 11,000+ pieces of mosaic.
It may have to be white or a very light grey.
Thanks again - great place this

[user123]

Nah, the salt will cost to much. Iv been using flour and water for 173 years and Iv never had a problem

John will be ok for salt, he lives by the sea, he'll get his own...

[blocko]

Does anyone know if you can get a translucent grout as I don't think I will get away with clear silicone on 11,000+ pieces of mosaic.

Well, seeing as all the other replies were so sensible................. I would suggest gelatin for the grout. Comes in a variety of flavours and very clear indeed. Walls would HAVE to be tanked though

[user123]

Update - all tiled and thanks for all your advice - it's certainly the place to come for all the friendly help that I've received. I won't hesitate to ask again when I start my next project - the Tyne Tunnel.

As I went to a trade show this morning I picked up a 20kg bag of Mosaic Fix - and I have to admit a lovely white adhesive which mixed to a thick smooth consistency and lasted well in the bucket for use.
Now when I go back tomorrow, to do a floor in a 450x450 porcelain, I'll check to see if they are still on the wall.
I have no doubt they will be but that is before I try to take the cellophane off the fronts, it seems very well adhered.

I shall be doing a couple of test swatches for the grout as I don't want to loose the depth of the tile that is visible at present. Does anyone know if you can get a translucent grout as I don't think I will get away with clear silicone on 11,000+ pieces of mosaic.
It may have to be white or a very light grey.
Thanks again - great place this

Yes, Mapei does a translucent epoxy - if you want to make the trip to Scarborough - and bring some wedi offcuts I'll give you a bit to try it out. It's not totally clear, more like wallpaper paste, taking on the colour of the surrounding tile a bit, in a darker shade, if that makes sense. Then again that will probably do you a favour, as the white adhesive line may still show with completely clear stuff.