Talavera Tiles around Front Door

[akakk]

Hi- Can anyone direct me to how to tile a strip of tile around my front door?
The image shows my front door after removing a security gate.
Then I have a 'mocked-up' image of what my intentions are for clarity.

[Davy]

Hi Karen. If the plaster is painted, it's best to grind it off so the tiles can be bonded right to the plaster coat.

Do you plan to cover the rounded corner with tiles too? If so, you might could find a mud type bullnose for it.

[akakk]

Thanks for your response. The plaster IS painted. So are you saying I should dig out the plaster a bit (grind it off) so the tiles are flush with the wall?

I've tiled floors but never vertically. how to get the tiles to stay put? tape?

"Do you plan to cover the rounded corner with tiles too? If so, you might could find a mud type bullnose for it. "

I am not sure I understand. I plan to tile all around the door like the mocked up image.

[Davy]

You would want to draw straight lines on the plaster right where the edges of the tiles will be. That way you can slightly grind the paint off the plaster where the tiles will go. I wouldn't grind much, just the paint.

With something like this, you will want to start at the top and hope the tiles work out full over the door with no cuts like your pic shows. Then work down the sides. You'll likely have cut tiles at the bottom. I'd use a non sag thinset like Prolite from Home Depot. Keeping masking tape handy helps in case they want to slide a little.

After it's grouted, you will probably have to touch up the paint along the edges of the tiles. You may want to paint the edges of the tiles while you're doing that.

[akakk]

thanks! I figured I would have to cut. I have a big ole wet saw but what do you recommend for cutting this talavera tile?

[Davy]

A wet saw is best. An angle grinder with a 4 inch blade would do but with both tools, a lot depends on the blade you have.

[akakk]

I think I am looking for an easier way- like scoring and cracking.

[cx]

I've never had good luck with score-and-snap with Talavera tiles, Karen.

[akakk]

Thanks. I will pull out the ole wet saw then.
I know someone said not to used premixed, but I am just tiling this area around the door. (I'm a single mom, not a contractor!) Please tell me it is ok.

today I took off most of the stucco/paint. What I am left with looks like cement. it's not exactly flat either. It kinda sinks in some places and bulges out in other. Should I try to sand that??

[cx]

Pre-mixed what, Karen?

[akakk]

Ceramic Tile Adheisive.

My biggest question is about the grinding. What do I grind with? do I have to go deep?
Here's where I am:

[Davy]

Go back and read post 4, Karen. I would use a grinder with a 4 inch blade to slightly grind away the paint. A cup wheel can also be used on a grinder. But, stay within the lines you draw. You don't need to go deep, just remove the paint.

Take that bucket back and get thinset that has to be mixed with water. I mentioned Pro-lite, that would be a good choice.

[akakk]

I didn't buy that bucket. I'll use thinset.

so I'm no pro with tools.. this is what I am working with:
https://low.es/3ijbvjh

and I scraped it all by hand using a hammer and a putty knife. Can I use the above tool somehow to flatten some bumps? or a sander?
thanks for your help
I will make you proud.

[Davy]

Karen, it's not the tool I would use but if you can try any tool you want. A sander might work but kinda depends on what kind of sander you have.

[akakk]

Please tell me what tool to use? I don't know so much about tools.