[SMLWinds]

I am laying some backsplash over drywall and have a few questions:

1) do I use modified or unmodified thinset? Or can you use either?

2) there is a paper thin piece of metal beneath the hood that I need to tile over. I assume you can't put thinset on metal, so what is the best way to handle that? I am attaching a picture.

Thanks!

 

[rjniles]

I would use tile mastic. I would remove the metal below the hood. If you must tile over it, use a good degreaser and rough it up with a coarse grid sander. I would again use mastic.

 

[firehawkmph]

What's the piece of sheet metal doing? If that piece isn't doing anything, I would trim it back as far as I could. I wouldn't tile over it. It does not look like its fastened down at all. I'm not a mastic fan, I would use modified thinset. I don't think there would be any proble using unmodified in this case either. Depends what you like working with.
Mike Hawkins:smile:

 

[rjniles]

I am not saying thinset is a bad idea but I find for non wet areas like a back splash, mastic requires no mixing and has no waste. You can stop any time, close the bucket and restart the next day.

I only use mastic for small format tile (typical backsplash) 6 by 6 or smaller. Large format requires thinset IMO.

 

[rjniles]

I did not see the picture in my first post but the metal needs to come out. I bet you could score it with a utility knife and break it out. Or it would be easy enough to take the hood down.

 

[JazMan]

Maybe it's because it's a Sunday, but when deciding whether to use modified or unmodified thinset, why didn't anyone ask what type of tiles are being used? That's how you determined whether you can get away with unmod or just go with the most popular and safest which of course in modified thinset.

However, for ease of working with it and no slip feature, it might be better to just use mastic for the reasons mentioned. Again though, we gotta know specifically what kind of tiles.

Jaz

 

[JazMan]

.................. and the answer is?

Jaz

 

[SMLWinds]

The tiles are marble mosaic. I am not a fan of mastic and have read less than stellar things about it, but would consider it if the respected/experienced guys on here thought it was best. I would tend to prefer working with thinset if that is as good or better.

I have Ditraset as well as TEC latex modified mortar "for porcelain." Do either of those work or do I need another type?

 

[JazMan]

I mentioned mastic but you hadn't told us what type of tiles you were installing. Now that we know it's marble, we recommend you use ONLY thinset. There aren't many mastics that can be used for natural stone.

Either of those mortars will work but the modified is probably better. It'll tell you on the bag.

Jaz