Adhesive application - Tile Advice

[GrumpyGrampa]

HI everybody, hope you are all safe. I'm retired now (not a tradesman) but I help a guy out who refurbishes bathrooms and other things. He's actually an electrician but is a self taught plumber and a very clever guy. I get to do a bit of tiling and we have a lot of banter about applying the adhesive. He always back butters the tile which I think is very labour intensive but no matter what I do I cannot successfully apply the adhesive to the wall (mainly plasterboard), it just falls off and he has a laugh at my expense. I've watched numerous videos where experienced tilers apply the adhesive to the wall with no problem. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Dave]

Hi.
what adhesive so you use ?

 

[GrumpyGrampa]

Thanks for replying. I use Unibond Tile Adhesive and Grout

 

[Dave]

Thanks for replying. I use Unibond Tile Adhesive and Grout

Is this tubbed or bagged. ?

 

[GrumpyGrampa]

Premixed in the tub

 

[Dave]

Premixed in the tub

you would be better off using a bagged adhesive in a standard setting format. That stuff you using isn’t much cop and not easy to spread.

 

[GrumpyGrampa]

Thanks for that. One last question. Could you suggest what "bagged adhesive in a standard setting format" to use?

 

[Dave]

Thanks for that. One last question. Could you suggest what "bagged adhesive in a standard setting format" to use?

There is loads, just depends what your suppliers sell.
Weber set plus is one i use.
Then there : mapei , Bal , tilemaster , Ardex etc etc.

 

[GrumpyGrampa]

Thanks David, I appreciate your help. I'll definitely try that the next time. Stay safe