self sticking tiles - wall application

peter_d_holmes · 03-09-2011, 08:15 AM

I attached self sticking vinyl tiles over what looks like vinyl wallpaper on 1 bathroom wall. They fell off within a few hours. How can I make them stay up? (contact cement will not allow the slight adjustment...)
I washed the wall with TSP. Would light sanding and priming solve this problem? A strong quick setting glue seems like the best idea but I don't know of one that would work? Again, this is a wall application so they need to adhere quickly.

JazMan · 03-09-2011, 11:26 AM

Why did you use floor tiles on the wall?

Self stick floor tiles have a glue that stays tacky. They need gravity and foot traffic to make them bond. They're not stikin vertically.

Plus going over wallpaper or the like, is not such a good idea. You need to remove the paper and all the adhesive, then re-think what to install there. Definitely not peel & stick floor tiles.

Jaz

Jay 78 · 03-09-2011, 04:38 PM

Wouldn't the massive amounts of moisture/humidity in a bathroom cause problems as well?

peter_d_holmes · 03-13-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay 78

Wouldn't the massive amounts of moisture/humidity in a bathroom cause problems as well?

It's a half bath, no tube or shower so no high humidity.

JazMan · 03-13-2011, 02:29 PM

Humidity has nothing to do with this problem. You'd have to get them to stick first.

Jaz

peter_d_holmes · 03-13-2011, 02:47 PM

[quote=JazMan;608424]Humidity has nothing to do with this problem. You'd have to get them to stick first.
True, humidity has nothing to do with it. It was the person who responded who suggested high humidity might cause a problem. (down the road I assume he meant.)

I just finished removing the vinyl wall paper, unfortunately there is one more layer under that one and so far nether hot water or steam has been able to wet it. Once I it get that layer off and clean the wall, I plan on painting on a coat of Weld O Bond, then testing to see what will hold the tiles on permanently.

JazMan · 03-13-2011, 03:00 PM

You may need to use a "paper tiger" to help remove the paper. Once that's gone along with all glue residue you're good.

I doubt Weld O Bond is gonna help you any. It appears to be more for cementitious applications as a bonding agent. It's not a bonder though, it's not glue.

If you still want to apply those tiles vertically, you will need to apply adhesive to the wall too. You need something that dries such as sheet vinyl adhesive or cove base adhesive. Pressure sensitive adhesive will not work.

Jaz

Bud Cline · 03-13-2011, 03:03 PM

Since you insist on making this installation you can go and buy a small tub of contact adhesive that is used for standard VCT floor tile. Guarantee that will hold them on the walls.

May be a little messy getting the adhesive on a wall but once that hurdle has past the tile WILL STICK.

Quote:

(contact cement will not allow the slight adjustment...)

Why would you need any adjustment?

The tiles are easy enough to place in the correct position the first time around. Set the tile's edge exactly where you want it then plop the sucker on the wall.

Jay 78 · 03-13-2011, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter_d_holmes

It was the person who responded who suggested high humidity might cause a problem. (down the road I assume he meant.)

I didn't know it was a half-bath at the time....

peter_d_holmes · 03-13-2011, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bud Cline

Since you insist on making this installation you can go and buy a small tub of contact adhesive that is used for standard VCT floor tile. Guarantee that will hold them on the walls.

May be a little messy getting the adhesive on a wall but once that hurdle has past the tile WILL STICK.

Why would you need any adjustment?

The tiles are easy enough to place in the correct position the first time around. Set the tile's edge exactly where you want it then plop the sucker on the wall.

Yup, contact cement... I picked up some water based the other day... It's not as strong, but there is no weight to these tiles, and I know I'll get some on the front surface while applying. Thanks for helping out.

peter_d_holmes · 03-13-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JazMan

You may need to use a "paper tiger" to help remove the paper. Once that's gone along with all glue residue you're good.

I doubt Weld O Bond is gonna help you any. It appears to be more for cementitious applications as a bonding agent. It's not a bonder though, it's not glue.

If you still want to apply those tiles vertically, you will need to apply adhesive to the wall too. You need something that dries such as sheet vinyl adhesive or cove base adhesive. Pressure sensitive adhesive will not work.

Jaz

Hadn't thought of cove base adhesive. Does it have the instant tacking power to hold the tiles in place until it tries? If so, I like that idea better than contact cement.

JazMan · 03-13-2011, 04:42 PM

Cove base adhesive will hold right away, it's fairly thick. That is what is used when setting vct on stair risers as an example.

The adhesive for vinyl tile is not contact cement. Contact cement is what is used to bond plastic laminates for counter tops etc. You apply to both surfaces, let dry until it doesn't transfer when touched. Then let both surfaces to make "contact" & walla........ it's stuck and you can't easily move it. You never use that for floor or wall tiles.

Jaz

peter_d_holmes · 03-13-2011, 06:18 PM

Thanks, I like the cove base glue idea.

I'll pickup some tomorrow and let you know later how it worked... Thanks again for you help and ideas.