Granfix UltimateFlex - any good?

[grumpygrouter]

Hi everyone, anybody had any experience with the Granfix UltimateFlex adhesive? I need to find an altrenative to Ardex-flex 7001 and I can get the Granfix locally.

All feedback, good and bad appreciated.

 

[Dan]

I have used Granfix (Some time ago) and didn't like it. Though when they had GranSpec that range was a bit different, and I did like it. Though I think think they've wrapped that bit up now (not sure on that).

That didn't help did it? lol

 

[DHTiling]

It's quite ok to use russ........very very flexible ...worth a go mate if thats all you can get out in the wooley backs...🙂🙂🙂

 

[Droopy]

I am honestly not being biased here, but I am not a fan of it.
Yes it is VERY flexible, especialy for a single part, but it is not anywhere near as good to work with as the two part adhesives.

I always found it either too thin and too messy to work with. Or it was too thick and hard to trowel.

 

[DHTiling]

But if it's all that russ can get hold of james..it will do for now don't you agree.?..

Let's hope CTD take over that retail unit russ......

 

[Droopy]

But if it's all that russ can get hold of james..it will do for now don't you agree.?..

Let's hope CTD take over that retail unit russ......

Yes, it will do the job. I'm not knocking it's suitability, Dave.
I am just giving a purely personal opinion on how hard I found it to work with.

 

[DHTiling]

I found it like spreading chewing gum..🙁.......but by god did it stick......

 

[Droopy]

I found it like spreading chewing gum..🙁.......but by god did it stick......

:yes:

I tiled my worktops with 600x600 porc a couple of years back, and stuck them with ultimateflex.
Just last weekend I changed the worktop. And what a job I had getting the old one apart. In the end up I left the tiles on the chipbaord, and cut the screws holding the chipboard to the units.

 

[DHTiling]

:yes:

I tiled my worktops with 600x600 porc a couple of years back, and stuck them with ultimateflex.
Just last weekend I changed the worktop. And what a job I had getting the old one apart. In the end up I left the tiles on the chipbaord, and cut the screws holding the chipboard to the units.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:......:mad2:

 

[Droopy]

:lol::lol::lol::lol:......:mad2:

Hey don't you start.
I had my missus take the mick all that day,
"See if you had just been like those cowboys, you would have been finished by now...".

I was very nearly off the wagon that day alright...:8::yes:

 

[DHTiling]

no sympathy from the missus then......i cold beer always helps when working in the house......🙂🙂🙂🙂

 

[Droopy]

no sympathy from the missus then......i cold beer always helps when working in the house......🙂🙂🙂🙂

The ribbing got worse than that.
It turned out that I gave the wrong size to the worktop company for the main section of worktop.
So after a having to cut off one of the freshly mitred ends, going to go and get another metre of worktop mitred, and finaly joining it with an "idiot strip" from B&Q to hide my join.
She pipes up,
"Ahh well, just goes to show that being a cowboy doesnae always make things go faster after all."
:lol:
Cheeky bloody git that she is.

 

[DHTiling]

A woman with opinions is bad enough but one with a sense of humour must be a nightmare.........


p.s. sorry gals..only joking...🙂

 

[brian c]

did you get the worktops from the place in Kilsyth James?

 

[Droopy]

did you get the worktops from the place in Kilsyth James?

Yeah Brian, I got them from WDS.
They are really good in there. They, unlike my misuss, didnae laugh at me for giving the wrong sizes.
They even gave me the extra piece, mitred, FOC.

 

[grumpygrouter]

Thanks for you input guys. I have a small floor coming up and I might just try it. I have used Fastflex a couple of times James, albeit quite early on in my career, and I really didn't like using it. It is also very expensive. Also trying to convince customers that 18mm ply really is the way to go is very, very difficult at times, which precludes using any BAL product other than Fastflex.

Yes Dave, hopefully CTD will get their finger out and open up in Inverness, sooner rather than later. I could do with a bit of choice!!

 

[grumpygrouter]

I have used Granfix (Some time ago) and didn't like it. Though when they had GranSpec that range was a bit different, and I did like it. Though I think think they've wrapped that bit up now (not sure on that).

That didn't help did it? lol

No.....

 

[White Room]

I think they recommend about 4-5 hours to set, Thats what said on the one I have, Thats why I never used it on a bathroom floor. The customer had only one wc

 

[grumpygrouter]

I think they recommend about 4-5 hours to set, Thats what said on the one I have, Thats why I never used it on a bathroom floor. The customer had only one wc

Data sheet says 2 hours to grouting and 3 hours to light foot traffic Whitebeam, with full use after 24 hrs. I am still very hesitant though.....better the devil you know, maybe...

 

[White Room]

Sorry Grumpy it was the palace stuff I was thinking of I do apologise, Slap on hand for that one. But your still moving out the safe zone with materials

 

[Droopy]

Thanks for you input guys. I have a small floor coming up and I might just try it. I have used Fastflex a couple of times James, albeit quite early on in my career, and I really didn't like using it. It is also very expensive. Also trying to convince customers that 18mm ply really is the way to go is very, very difficult at times, which precludes using any BAL product other than Fastflex.

Yes Dave, hopefully CTD will get their finger out and open up in Inverness, sooner rather than later. I could do with a bit of choice!!

Can I ask what you didn't like Fastflex, GG?
I really like the feel of it myself. As do most other tilers I have asked about it.

On the expense side, don't you think it is far cheaper to use Fastflex than it is to buy & install 18mm ply?

 

[grumpygrouter]

I found it difficult to work with as it was really soft. It pushed out through the grout joints, got every where and was a real pain to keep the area clean. Sponges, although cheap need to be disposed of after using the stuff for instance. trivial I know but a cost and hassle all the same. I was very inexperienced at the time though and have not used it since, preferring to use Ardex 7001.

As for the 18mm ply, I feel that if the floor moves much, it should be strengthened. Fastflex is great if you have a small area but I would be a bit uncomfortable using it over a large area. I may be wrong but you only seem to get about 3.5m2 for a set so anything reasonably large would be very expensive at £40 a set, and it goes off real quick in the bucket.

 

[pjtiler]

the last lot i tried took all morning to set
rapid set my ar se

 

[Droopy]

the last lot i tried took all morning to set
rapid set my ar se

Approx' 3 hour setting time on Fastflex PJ.

 

[pjtiler]

Approx' 3 hour setting time on Fastflex PJ.

aye so it says on the bag
i could still move the tiles 5 hours after fixing
on a nice warm day too

 

[grumpygrouter]

aye so it says on the bag
i could still move the tiles 5 hours after fixing
on a nice warm day too

Thinking back PJ, I had that problem on one of the floors too. Stuff went off in the bucket but there was no way I could have grouted after 3 hours. Don't know why. It was fine the next day though!

 

[DHTiling]

aye so it says on the bag
i could still move the tiles 5 hours after fixing
on a nice warm day too

Thinking back PJ, I had that problem on one of the floors too. Stuff went off in the bucket but there was no way I could have grouted after 3 hours. Don't know why. It was fine the next day though!

The setting times are recommended for a certain thickness of adhesive bed as well and if you exceed that then it will take longer with 2 pack stuff........


just a thought...

 

[White Room]

I found it difficult to work with as it was really soft. It pushed out through the grout joints, got every where and was a real pain to keep the area clean. Sponges, although cheap need to be disposed of after using the stuff for instance. trivial I know but a cost and hassle all the same. I was very inexperienced at the time though and have not used it since, preferring to use Ardex 7001.

As for the 18mm ply, I feel that if the floor moves much, it should be strengthened. Fastflex is great if you have a small area but I would be a bit uncomfortable using it over a large area. I may be wrong but you only seem to get about 3.5m2 for a set so anything reasonably large would be very expensive at £40 a set, and it goes off real quick in the bucket.

A thing I,ve done in the past is when the adhesive is up against the preceeding tile I use a gauging trowel and just draw the addy slightly back on the tile edges with nose of the gauger and when fixing the tile it tends to push the addy back without adhesive squeezing thru the joints. Hope this helps

 

[pjtiler]

The setting times are recommended for a certain thickness of adhesive bed as well and if you exceed that then it will take longer with 2 pack stuff........


just a thought...

i,ll be sticking to adhesive from the likes of bal ,mapei and audit thanks all the same

 

[Droopy]

aye so it says on the bag
i could still move the tiles 5 hours after fixing
on a nice warm day too

Thinking back PJ, I had that problem on one of the floors too. Stuff went off in the bucket but there was no way I could have grouted after 3 hours. Don't know why. It was fine the next day though!

Anyone else had this problem with Fastflex before?

I'll see if I can find out if this has been a complaint in the past, if so.

A thing I,ve done in the past is when the adhesive is up against the preceeding tile I use a gauging trowel and just draw the addy slightly back on the tile edges with nose of the gauger and when fixing the tile it tends to push the addy back without adhesive squeezing thru the joints. Hope this helps

 

[DHTiling]

i,ll be sticking to adhesive from the likes of bal ,mapei and audit thanks all the same

So is fastflex not BAl then paul..?...