Clean the metal surface to get rid of any dirt oil grease or other contaminates.
How to apply stone tile to wall.
For wall installations plywood is overkill beneath the concrete or fiber board which is designed in five eighths inch material for wall settings.
Apply a 1 2 inch layer of mortar to the wall where the first stone is being installed.
Test a tile to make sure the mortar is mixed and spread correctly.
The tile will not adhere correctly if any of these are present.
Begin in one of the lower corners of the wall place the stone against the wall twisting it slightly as you.
Before you begin tiling check the surface with a straightedge.
For floors or walls in wet areas use thin set instead of joint compound.
Let the joint compound or thin set harden and you re ready to set tile.
This line serves as your cutting guide to fit tile along the counter.
Mortar a small spot and then place a tile.
Tiling itself is actually quite an easy process especially with this tile.
Pull the tile up and look at the pattern that is create on the back.
Then use the mixer attachment to your drill to get the right consistency.
You want to end up with at least half a tile at each corner so depending on the size of your tile either place the edge of your first tile at the center line or center a tile over it as we did photo 5.
Step 2 apply the appropriate adhesive to the metal with the appropriate trowel see tips spreading enough adhesive to cover an area that you are comfortable finishing in less than 10 minutes.
You need to pour some water in the bucket pour the adhesive powder and let it soak for 5 minutes.
If possible you should always use concrete board underlayments rather than plywood.
Gradually add the thin set powder mixing it thoroughly.
Let the mixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes then mix it again without adding more water.
Fill in the general size of the tile on the wall i ve learned over the years that it doesn t have to be caked on.
To see where the tile will end at the top of the installation make a jury stick.
Draw a plumb line at the center of the back wall then measure over to the side to see how many tiles will fit.
The preferred method for tile installations is to use a sheet of underlayment.
Mark the wall at the top of the tile.
You start by spreading your adhesive on the wall.
To prepare powdered thin set mortar for natural stone and mosaic tile fill your bucket with water in the amount listed on the package.
Then use a level to extend the line along the work area.
If you find a dip in a wall flatten it by screeding a layer of setting type joint compound over it as shown here.
It just takes time.