Tiling on fibreglass - TilersForums.co.uk | Tile Forums

boatloony · 21-04-2008

Hi - has anybody tiled on fibreglass? We are installing a wet room on our boat and this is our problem. We have a wooden substrate which has been covered in fibreglass, we need to tile both walls and floor with mosaic tiles, (approx 7sq mtr) using a suitable adhesive and grout for wetroom use. We have been told that cement and acrylic based adhesives and grouts are not compatible with fibreglass and that we have to use an epoxy based grout. Is this true? Both adhesive and grout need to be flexible as they need to withstand vibration and movement due to the nature of the substrate, and obviously needs to be waterproof and antimould ideally. We can buy an epoxy grout which can be used as an adhesive but this is very costly - can anybody suggest a better solution? We have considered using Sikaflex sealant/adhesive to glue the tiles on and then using the epoxy based grout - any comments?
Thanks

**grumpygrouter** · 21-04-2008

Have a look at BAL Fastflex. It is a 2 part mix adhesive and BAL state in their literature it can be used on GRP. Therea re a number of flexible grouts available from BAL and they do epoxy as well.

CJ · 21-04-2008

I have tiled a fibre glass balcony.

As GG mentioned.............it has to be fast flex 2 part. Also an epoxy grout

boatloony · 23-04-2008

Thanks for that - better info than we've got from anywhere else, have emailed BAL for confirmation, advice on grout, costings etc - but no reply as yet!

**Sir Ramic** · 23-04-2008

Dont email just call them.

CJ · 23-04-2008

Then............when you go to buy the fast flex.............Visit the lavvy before.

Cos I nearly poo-ed myself when they told me the price

**grumpygrouter** · 23-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJ again

Then............when you go to buy the fast flex.............Visit the lavvy before.

Cos I nearly poo-ed myself when they told me the price

I can get it for £38.12 a set. Bit more expensive at Topps methinks.

CJ · 24-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpygrouter

I can get it for £38.12 a set. Bit more expensive at Topps methinks.

I can get it from Topps for £39.98 (Grey) £77.48 retail

They have just started stocking Toppfix (Palace bagged for Topps) & that is £21.99 bag & Bottle £76.99 retail

wayne · 24-04-2008

use the toppfix on every overboarded floor now. doesnt work out that bad for bathrooms and small kitchens,. nice gear to use as well

Pawelzik · 25-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by boatloony

Hi - has anybody tiled on fibreglass? We are installing a wet room on our boat ... We have been told that cement and acrylic based adhesives and grouts are not compatible with fibreglass and that we have to use an epoxy based grout. Is this true? ... any comments?
Thanks

As this is a boat you´re talking about and not a ship, epoxy adhesive and epoxy grout is the right solution. We have several clients working either on yachts or on real ships, I consider your "boat" belongs more to the type "yacht".
Epoxy adhesive and epoxy grout a) matches with fibreglass, b) has less weight, c) is waterproof/saltwaterproof, d) has a better adhesive force and flexibility on climate changes as the boat may swim in tropical-warm water as well as in northern-cold water. It surely is expensive but it is the right choice for sticking tiles/mosaic on a yacht with fibreglass construction.
You may ask your yacht builder for affirmation. And if you don´t get the right stuff from BAL you may ask ARDEX, they will have it, Martin.

PS.: Ships having metal and/or wood and/or fibreglass constructed sections are handled individually, each by its kind of construction/construction mix.