spectralock mini epoxy grout - 1/16" grout lines

[zoomzoom3]

I finally am ready to tile after about a month of preparation work. I have never worked with tile this big but my wife likes it so we bought it and now it's finally time for tiling.

I still have a couple of questions even after reading as much as I can.

1) What thinset should I use for the wall tile 13" X 39"?
laticrete 254, 253
laticrete 317 with 333

2) What size trowel? and notch type?
1/2" X 1/2" square notched?

3) Do I need to back butter?

4) How do I cut this tile? I have a HD workforce wet saw from a couple of years ago? Will this work? Any tips or tricks? I have read about
Masking Tape, Cutting it upside down, Cutting halfway and then turn it around and cut other half? Any of these work?

5) Lastly this is rectified edge tile. I am trying to decide what grout size to use either 1/16" or 1/8"? Do I use Sanded or unsanded grout? I know that products have changed lately. What grout is best and with which admix?

6) Any tricks on keeping this tile straight and from sagging?

I know this is alot of questions but I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

-dan

[bbcamp]

1) Any of those thinsets will do. You don't need to spend a ton of money, though. Any good modified thinseet will work.

2) If the walls are flat and the tile backs are not lugged, you can get by with a much smaller trowel, something like a 1/4 x 3/8 x 1/4 square notch.

3) Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the flatness of the walls, etc. You do not need 100% coverage like you do for floor tiles.

4) I dunno.

5) If your walls are flat, you can go with a smaller grout line. If you go less than 1/8", use unsanded grout. Other than that, the grout line width is up to you. If you like Laticrete thinset, you'll probably like their grouts, too. You can use anybody's grout, though.

6) Layout lines and spacers. Vertical lines to keep the vertical joints in alignment, horizontal lines to start and when you have some sort of transition, and spacers to prevent slipping. First row needs a ledger board or something to hold the tiles until the thinset sets. If you do a couple of rows the first day, the ledger can be removed and all new tiles will be supported by the first rows.

[custombuilt]

-use versabond or similar thinset
-you can cut them with a snapper if cutting the 13 inch side
-flat trowel the wall and use the spot method (put globs of thinset on the back of the tile, usually 5 or 6 for a 12 inch tile, so more here)
-probably should use 1/8 inch joint if you are not that experienced--more fudge room

[gueuzeman]

Are these tiles the "newer" Porcelainosa line? I've seenthem at one of our local stores and they're soooooo sexy.

The problem is cutting a 39 inch rip, not many saws that will do that costing less than 2-3 thousand bucks. I've got a bridge that goes 36" and that won't do it. The QEP or Work Force one is what, like 24 or 30"?

Cutting the 13" rips is no problem, but you might have to build extension tbles for the side of the saw to lay the tile on. Look at an alpha water saw


Buy it here- Midwest trade tool

You can get something similar at Depot but you need a real good porcelain blade, don't screw around, this tile isn't cheap I think. Buy from a pro.

Here it is in action last week cutting a 6' 6" marble slab 1" thick.


Most of the time I don't use the hose hookup, just someone else with an old dish soap bottle squeezing on the blade.





But if you want to buy the big kahuna- Raimondi Gladiator saw

Let us know how it goes- post pictures!

gueuze

[zoomzoom3]

yes it is the porcelanosa tile. thanks for the idea.

Can you use the Felker FHS-4 saw like this as well. Is there a way to get a straight cut with an fhs-4. There doesn't seem to be a place to butt it against a straight edge. Anyone use an FHS-4 like this or is the guide on the alpha really the only way to go.

-dan

[zoomzoom3]

I am finally ready to grout a shower wall and bathroom floor. I used 1/16" grout lines for some rectified tiles.

1) Are there any issues using the spectralock mini epoxy grout and 1/16" grout lines. I had read that you can use less of part C (the sand). Is it necessary to use less and if so how much less if using a mini size from lowes?

2) Also if you need to mix more than one mini do you mix them separately or together.

3) Epoxy grout float necessary?

4) Any sag issues on a wall?

5) Any tips?


Thanks for any help.

-dan

[ddmoit]

Hi Dan,

SpectraLOCK should be fine for your 1/16" grout lines. I believe the instructions say that you can leave out as much as 10% of the Part C sand.

Unless you are a really fast grouter, I wouldn't mix more than one mini at a time. You are up against the clock with any grout - especially epoxy grout.

Yes, get an epoxy grout float.

I grouted my ceilings with SpectraLOCK. You shouldn't have any trouble at all on the walls - especially with 1/16" lines.

You might find that a hawk helps with grouting walls.

[cx]

Welcome, Dan.

I've merged your original thread here so folks can see what you're working on and what's been previously asked and answered. Please bookmark this thread and use it for all your project questions.