Tiling over a newly painted wall

[Germaintile]

Thank you for your responses.

To buff the tile, you refer to taking off the sealer before it drys with a cloth?

We can use a cotton cloth or what material cloth do you recommend?

Thank you.

[Davy]

I use a micro fiber cloth to buff the sealer off but you can use cotton rags if you want. Do a section at a time, maybe 10 sq ft. When buffing, once you think you've buffed it all off, get a clean rag and buff some more. Then move on to another section.

They usually recommend sealing crackle tile before grouting. And, I always make sure to use a grout that matches the tile as close as possible. A contrasting color grout may absorb into the crackle and not come out.

[Germaintile]

Thank you Davy for describing the buffing process to take off sealer.

My tiles are a bright blue. I am choosing a very light grey color, so it will
not be the same color. But, I will test it before we do the wall.

[Davy]

Yes, sometimes it's best to glue a few scrap pieces on a piece of sheetrock and practice on it. Make sure you're happy with the outcome.

[Germaintile]

Hi guys,

My tiler mentioned to. me that he likes to use a Mastic or a premixed adhesive instead of the 254 platinum thin set from Laticrete that I was going to get for him.

Any thoughts as to the pros or cons of using Mastic?

I think he is just used to it.

The job again is for a kitchen backsplash. Ceramic subway tiles. Thank you.

[cx]

If your tile guy is willing to provide the organic adhesive (Mastic) himself at his expense, a kitchen backsplash is one of the few applications where use of such product is acceptable.

If you're providing the bonding mortar, some Versabond from Homer's is more than adequate for the application and far less expensive. And you absolutely do not need anything like Laticrete 454 for that application. That's not overkill, that's simply a waste of money.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Germaintile]

I so appreciate your input here.

My tile guy wants to use a product called----

AcrylPro Professional Ceramic Tile Adhesive is a professional formula adhesive with high bond strengths. Ideal for small format ceramic, mosaic, porcelain and most gauged stone tile on walls or


This is from Loews, he is accustomed to using it. It is a Custom product.

What do you think? For kitchen backsplash ceramic subway tiles.

[Germaintile]

Is this product what you would call an Organic Adhesive (Mastic?)

[Germaintile]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Custom-B...000635#overlay

This is the link to the mastic that my tile guy likes.

[Germaintile]

Hello,

To caulk the bottom of backsplash tiles to the top of countertop
(I will have a four inch attached laminate backsplash), can I use
an Acrylic Caulk in the same color as my grout?

For example, I chose a color grout from Laticrete called Silver Showdow,
and I can get the same color in the caulking.

Do I need silicone, or will the acrylic caulking be appropriate?

I have tips above in this thread for leaving a 1/8 inch space between the top of
countertop and the first row of tiles ---for the caulking. Do we leave that
first space ungrouted? Does the caulking go OVER the dried grout line?
Or, does it stand alone in the space connecting the countertop to the tiles?

I will also review the HOW TO apply caulking article on this web site.



Thank you again.

[cx]

Yes, AcrylPro is a Type 1 organic adhesive. Anything that says it complies with ANSI A136.1 is an organic adhesive, either Type 1 or Type 2. Commonly referred to as mastic.

You can use an acrylic caulk matching the grout color and texture in those joints. You never use a flexible sealant over a joint that is already grouted and you never grout a joint that is to be a movement accommodation joint, which is what you are trying to create in your application.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Germaintile]

Thank you, CX.

I understand now. We can use the Mastic and we can use acrylic caulking but
only by itself in that joint connecting the countertop to the tile.

I appreciate this forum. Thanks.

[Germaintile]

Hi Guys,

I am getting different answers for this so I thought to ask here.

Should I use sanded or unsanded grout? I am using Laticrete Permacolor grout. My tiles are 3 x 6 crackle ceramic subway tiles. I am using a 1/16 inch grout line. I am told I can go either way.

Any preferences?

[cx]

Tile size matters not at all, grout joint width, does. Tile industry standards call for un-sanded grout in joints up to 1/8th-inch and sanded grout for joints 1/8th-inch and greater. It's the 1/8th" joints that can go either way.

I recommend sanded grout for all joints if you can get it in there and your tile surface is not subject to scratching. I've not used the Permacolor grout, but the manufacturer says it's good in joints from 1/16th-inch to 1/2-inch so the joint width debate is moot.

My opinion; worth price charged.

[Germaintile]

thank you CX.

Yes, I see that the Laticrete write up about the grout says that the sanded
grout is ok in 1/16 inch lines.