Is ANY ready mix OK - Tile Advice

[minipete]

Hi - I bought some Bostik A100 for tiling my bathroom walls (400 x 150mm x 10mm) but having started using it I don't like it very much. It seems to be taking forever to dry and seems more like glue than tile adhesive (I've only done a couple of tiles with it) so I'm considering using the powdered floor adhesive from Tilemaster I've used for the floor. This stuff seems excellent.
However being an amateur, I'm only mixing small amounts of the powdered stuff so it's taking me forever. In short - I'd ideally like to use pre-mixed for the walls - is there ANY out there any good? The pros just seem to dismiss it but there's so much of it on the market someone must be using it? Any advice would be much appreciated as let's put this this way...if I was on a deadline with this bathroom I'd be in serious trouble. (I forgot I'm 20 years older than when I did my first one!)

 

[acaciaguy]

For the tiling you are doing you can’t use any tubbed adhesive I’m afraid. Unless it’s rapid set you can mix a bag of the correct powdered addy and it will last a few hours to be used. What is the exact one you are using. With the tile sizes you are using you need to use powdered. Are the tiles going in a wet area? Around shower etc

 

[Dumbo]

Use a slow set powder look for classification c2te s1

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Good afternoon!
Although your tiles are within the size specified for tubbed ready mix adhesive, are you aware if they are porcelain or ceramic tiles, which affects the drying of the adhesive.
I personally don’t have a preference for tubbed adhesives but if you use a slow set powdered adhesive you should have plenty of time in any mix to fix a good few metres of tiles.
As long as you enjoy tiling that’s the main factor.

 

[minipete]

Hi - thanks for replies, sorry they are ceramic. Far from being an expert (just yet!), I gather that they will allow dispersion of the adhesive unlike porcelain.

@acaciaguy - I have used Tilemaster setaflex semi-rapid on the floor. I have started using Screwfix NoNonsense Rapid Set powder for the walls (all I could get locally to avoid eye-watering delivery charges) for the first batch of wall tiles but it's back breaking mixing every four tiles. I've done 4 x 'base/bottom' rows using the Screwfix stuff and the words s**t and blanket spring to mind but to speed things up would now like to use a pre-mix for the remainder. Based on your advice I think I'll go back to the Setaflex for the rest and take the delivery charge on the chin. Pity Screwfix don't seem to do a Standard Set as I think that would be right for me. Oh well. Personally I'm not sure the Bostik stuff should be on sale at all!

 

[minipete]

Oh.....they are in shower area + remainder of bathroom

 

[acaciaguy]

Thank you for your reply minipete and for coming here for advice it’s a great place and we will all help to ensure you get the best result you can. Can I ask what you are tiling on? The walls are made of? In wet shower area have you tanked / waterproofed ?

 

[Boggs]

I find Bal Whitestar ok if you really want to use a readymix adhesive, probably the best out there.
But surely there must be a Topps Tiles within a few miles from you, if so their own brand powdered slow set will do the job much better than any ready mix, imho.

 

[minipete]

@acaciaguy - Wedi board, joints all sealed, all primed and tanked.
@Boggs - love to use Ready but it's hard to ignore the general concensus! I'd read bad reviews (on here I think) about the Topps Tile stuff (forget who actually makes it, Irish company I think) and it's stupidly expensive.
Thanks all for your help

 

[Boggs]

No worries, good luck with your project.

 

[LM]

Powdered or epoxy adhesives only on a tanked substrate and never tubbed with porcelain is my advice. As above a standard set C2 adhesive is the minimum and easiest available that you should go for.

 

[minipete]

Thanks. In theory with standard set I can mix up decent amount and get a jog on with this now!

 

[Boggs]

I use Tilemaster Standard Setaflex most days and you can get a good 3 hours working time from it.

 

[minipete]

Yep - that's the way to go. I must admit I haven't ordered that but picked up a bag of Mapei standard set from Toolsation which I'll try tonight. Out of interest, how do you guys get along with the mess of mixing? I suppose from experience you mix the right amount and minimize waste and mess, but even so it must take a lot from your working day cleaning up. Pity about the tubbed stuff, it's so damned convenient.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

There is a special tool for limiting waste and keeping your work area tidy - an apprentice/labourer!