900mm x 300mm, 10mm notched, Norcros one part flexible, unable to get 95% coverage. - Tile Advice

[andsee]

I'm a DIY enthusiast and have tiled with smaller tiles before but I've just tried a few times to place the first 900mmx300mmx10mm tile and removed it to check coverage and I've been unable to get anywhere near 95% coverage. I'm using a square notched 10mm trowel at around 45 degrees to the wall with notches parallel to the shortest side of the tile.

When mixing the Norcros One Part Flexible Adhesive White the packaging states 1 part water to 3.5 parts powder. I stopped at 3 parts powder as that was already a relatively thick mix which easily retained the notches. I've confirmed with Norcros that this is by volume not weight and I measured by volume correctly.

1.) So I've ordered a Euro / Tiger trowel to try and a 12mm trowel, but still feel that the 10mm should have been large enough?
2.) I can try a mix with more powder 1:3.5 but can't imagine that will make it any easier.
3.) Try a different adhesive, perhaps Mapei Keraflex White Flexible Wall (Although I have 3.5 bags of the Norcros which I'd prefer not to waste!)

I'm tiling onto primed Plaster and Abacus Elements / Wedi board floor to ceiling whole bathroom. Power shower 900x900 in one corner.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions anyone can offer ready for my second attempt!

 

[Cherie]

On top between tile and kerdi you use unmodified thinset. Do not use modified thinset
You can use modified between wood and Kerdi. But unmodified between kerdi and tile

 

[andsee]

On top between tile and kerdi you use unmodified thinset. Do not use modified thinset
You can use modified between wood and Kerdi. But unmodified between kerdi and tile

I'm not using kerdi. I'm tiling plastered walls and tile backer boards similar to wedi panels.

 

[Cherie]

On top between tile and kerdi you use unmodified thinset. Do not use modified thinset
You can use modified between wood and Kerdi. But unmodified between kerdi and tile

Sorry read it wrong

 

[andsee]

I'm a DIY enthusiast and have tiled with smaller tiles before but I've just tried a few times to place the first 900mmx300mmx10mm tile and removed it to check coverage and I've been unable to get anywhere near 95% coverage. I'm using a square notched 10mm trowel at around 45 degrees to the wall with notches parallel to the shortest side of the tile.

When mixing the Norcros One Part Flexible Adhesive White the packaging states 1 part water to 3.5 parts powder. I stopped at 3 parts powder as that was already a relatively thick mix which easily retained the notches. I've confirmed with Norcros that this is by volume not weight and I measured by volume correctly.

1.) So I've ordered a Euro / Tiger trowel to try and a 12mm trowel, but still feel that the 10mm should have been large enough?
2.) I can try a mix with more powder 1:3.5 but can't imagine that will make it any easier.
3.) Try a different adhesive, perhaps Mapei Keraflex White Flexible Wall (Although I have 3.5 bags of the Norcros which I'd prefer not to waste!)

I'm tiling onto primed Plaster and Abacus Elements / Wedi board floor to ceiling whole bathroom. Power shower 900x900 in one corner.

Thanks for any advice or suggestions anyone can offer ready for my second attempt

Second attempt today with a 12mm and a Tiger trowel but I can still see the notches when removing the tile. I can't move the tile left and right any more nor press any harder to try to collapse the notches. Perhaps the next attempt should be a different adhesive. Any suggestions?

 

[andy-p]

Trowel the back of the tile with the adhesive using the 10mm trowel, its nothing to do with the actual adhesive but the size of the tile

 

[andsee]

Trowel the back of the tile with the adhesive using the 10mm trowel, its nothing to do with the actual adhesive but the size of the tile

Thanks. I was back buttering the tiles and considered wether I would need to back trowel the tiles too, that's gonna be a lot of adhesive!

Fingers crossed for the third attempt. I've bought some additional adhesive (Mapei Keraflex Maxi S1) and it sounds like I'll need it if troweling the back of tiles too.

Thanks again for your input, it gives me more confidence going into the 3rd attempt.

 

[Etherglide]

Id imagine because the tiles are quite long, 900mm, youve got a bow in the middle. Its a manufacturer anomaly and you just have to add more adhesive to the centre.