Metal/glass mosaic advice and opinions for first timer - TilersForums.com

[MTiler]

I always check spec sheets to see if a certain adhesive is required. Ive looked on the Studio 55 Mosaic site and theres no info.
Ive used Keraflex Maxi with backed glass, and also with metal tile trims so it wont be a problem.

 

[seneca]

Thanks again MissTiler, very useful having your input. Got the Adhesive now and should get the mosaics at the weekend. Plan on doing all the main field tiiles and leaving my strip until last. They will all be done with the same Keralex maxi, so should get the hand of mixing and using it by the time it goes to the mosaic. Might get a mosaic mesh and see what its like, before deciding on using it. Main issue I had was the aluminum profile is U shaped and hollow with only 2 edges that bond. I'm wondering if I should attempt to put mesh backer on (it will reduce contact area, or just press the mosaic into the adhesive. Saw a video where a tiler used a dita strip and then coated the entire back with adhesive. When it set, he just used it as a regular, stiff, ceramic tile. Doing the same with mesh would allow some adhesive through into the hollow areas. I could do that whilst adhesive was still a bit wet and onto a wall on adhesive. Only problem may be some adhesive oozing through.
How you use the keraflex maxi when doing strips? Do you let it half set first before applying? or just straight on? Many users on this forum use rapid setting and leave it to go semi dry. That seems the way without mesh (called dogtooth I think), but they are pros and have done it a few times. Still, interesting stuff all this!

 

[Lee@emctiles]

Hi @seneca have a look at the genesis tdp strip, this isnt a u shape as it has a bit that goes behind the tile (like a normal tile trim)

and as ive advised you elsewhere, use the mosaic mesh, it will make life alot easier.

 

[seneca]

Bit of an update and looking for some more advice.
I've almost finished the main wall tiles (taken ages, but busy at work) and have my mosaic spaces left to do. All the field tiles were done with Keraflex maxi S1 and grouted with Bal Microflex (white.) Very happy with both products, so a big thanks for the recommendations.
I had planned to use Keraflex Maxi for the mosaics too, as advised though the white seems to be more beige/light grey when dry and I wondered if a whiter adhesive would be better. I have seen some websites showing other mosaics, but also made from aluminium and glass (apparently a big trend in splashbacks) and a few have used Mapei Adesilex P10. Any opinions? Apparently it has a greater bonding strength and is whiter than keraflex maxi. The whiteness may be better for glass, but then the glass pieces are coated with coloured paint on the back, so it shouldn't show though. If there's nothing between the two products, I may stick with the keraflex.
Thanks

 

[Time's Ran Out]

What colour is the back of the glass mosaic?

 

[Italy]

Bit of an update and looking for some more advice.
I've almost finished the main wall tiles (taken ages, but busy at work) and have my mosaic spaces left to do. All the field tiles were done with Keraflex maxi S1 and grouted with Bal Microflex (white.) Very happy with both products, so a big thanks for the recommendations.
I had planned to use Keraflex Maxi for the mosaics too, as advised though the white seems to be more beige/light grey when dry and I wondered if a whiter adhesive would be better. I have seen some websites showing other mosaics, but also made from aluminium and glass (apparently a big trend in splashbacks) and a few have used Mapei Adesilex P10. Any opinions? Apparently it has a greater bonding strength and is whiter than keraflex maxi. The whiteness may be better for glass, but then the glass pieces are coated with coloured paint on the back, so it shouldn't show though. If there's nothing between the two products, I may stick with the keraflex.
Thanks

I prefer to use p10 for mosaics.
Keraflex Maxi is better suited to large formats.
data sheets, speak clearly. I think it is also written on the bag.

 

[jimthetiler]

Tiling adhesive +metal=corosion

 

[seneca]

The back of the glass is painted light grey, so I suppose it should cancel out the beige/grey keraflex. Not sure it would be a big issue if the adhesive wasn't white. Probably just comparing it to the really white BAL microflex.
Keraflex worked well with the field tiles and allow me to vary the bed depth a few times when my walls were a bit off. Not sure what the bedding depth of Adesilex P10, as it doesn't say anywhere. Know what it is?
The metal is aluminium, so shouldn't corrode too quickly. It's what most trims are made from and is now becoming used in tiles, particularly mosaics. Very smooth and shiny. Some show rooms display metal mosaics suspended in water as a gimmick.
Datasheets say suitable for large format and mosaics, as it's probably dependent on what constitutes a field tile and a mosaic - lots of sizes, materials and types.

 

[Italy]

http://www.mapei.com/public/COM/products/110_adesilexp10_gb.pdf
products - http://www.mapei.com/IT-EN/products-search-results.asp

 

[seneca]

Thanks. I had read the data sheets, but to the DIYer, as opposed to pros, they often seem to have grey areas. I had a look at most of the common adhesives available and none mention bonding of metal tiles. However, there are metal (mostly aluminium) tiles and mosaics out there and tilers are fixing them, so they must be using regular cement based adhesives.