Tiling onto MDF

Dave

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Apr 30, 2011, 2:42:32 PM4/30/11

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Hi.
I'm building a fire surround using fire resist MDF. I know I can't tile
direct onto the MDF, so I 'primed' it first with contact adhesive, let it
dry for 2 days and then set the tiles. I'm using universal adhesive/grout
(not good I know) and 6x3 wall tiles.
Trouble is that I've tried twice to tile the surround and each time it looks
like the adhesive has not set. I left the tiles for 4 days before trying to
lift them but the adhesive is still 'wet' and easy to scrape off.
Do I have to wait longer for the adhesive to set?
Would a coating of PVA over the contact adhesive before tiling help?
Cheers
Brad

Phil L

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Apr 30, 2011, 2:59:40 PM4/30/11

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Stick the tiles on with silicone or use the contact adhesive, forget using
tile adhesive in this situation as you've already discovered why it's a bad
idea.

Grout as normal when set

--
some diy tips, but mostly filthy jokes:
http://tipsntricks-phil.blogspot.com/

John Stumbles

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Apr 30, 2011, 3:00:18 PM4/30/11

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I think you've said it: using ordinary water based adhesive (let alone
crappy adhesive/grout!) is the problem: with the backing being
impermeable due to your contact adhesive and the tiles themselves being
impermeable due to being glazed the water has to dry out of the adhesive
via the grout lines between the tiles which (a) will take ages (b) will
give practically no adhesion as the tile adhesive won't bond to the
contact adhesive.

--
John Stumbles

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

Tabby

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Apr 30, 2011, 6:03:38 PM4/30/11

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Silcone would stick them to mdf, but with no hard support the tiles
would break very easily. I've no idae what will stick to dried contact
adhesive, sounds like you've done yourself a mischief there. I wouldnt
have used mdf either.

NT

The Natural Philosopher

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Apr 30, 2011, 8:05:53 PM4/30/11

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Dave wrote:
> Hi.
> I'm building a fire surround using fire resist MDF. I know I can't tile
> direct onto the MDF,

there was your 1st mistake

> so I 'primed' it first with contact adhesive,

That was the second..

> let it
> dry for 2 days and then set the tiles. I'm using universal adhesive/grout
> (not good I know)

And that was the third.

and 6x3 wall tiles.
> Trouble is that I've tried twice to tile the surround and each time it looks
> like the adhesive has not set.

It doesn't set, it dries out. That's what is crap about universal..

I left the tiles for 4 days before trying to
> lift them but the adhesive is still 'wet' and easy to scrape off.
> Do I have to wait longer for the adhesive to set?
> Would a coating of PVA over the contact adhesive before tiling help?
> Cheers
> Brad
>
>

Best bet is to get GOOD adhesive that DOES set..recommend evostik
waterproof, and leave it several days.

Then grout with BAL.

Dave

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May 11, 2011, 6:31:48 AM5/11/11

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> Best bet is to get GOOD adhesive that DOES set..recommend evostik
> waterproof, and leave it several days.
>

Many thanks for all the help. I've only just done the tiling and YES,
evostik waterproof, i.e. Evostik ' Tile A Wall' waterproof adhesive DOES
indeed stick wall tiles to MDF (and as stated in their tech specs).
I landed up grinding the contact adhesive off with a Flap Disk and tiling
direct to MDF.
Brad