[JazMan]

Hi,

You've resurrected an old thread and gave people some really bad ideas. But welcome anyway. Tell us about yourself, projects, hobbies, etc.

You said we should use an oil-based mastic for wet areas. That's WRONG. Not a good idea at all. You're correct about regular mastic though, it can re-emulsify if it gets wet. You should use thin set mortar which comes ONLY in powder form in a bag.

You recommended using silicone instead. WRONG. The adhesive, (thin set mortar) needs to be spread so that you get 95% contact/transfer. In your method you'll have mostly voids, making it ripe for a science experiment. The "5-spot method can work on walls that are not near water sources.

BTW, What Brimstone above did, is totally a bad plan.

Jaz

 

[dancesilly2]

Omni grip

I discovered Omni grip while renovating a mobile home. It was like a miracle adhesive. I used it for everything, wall tiles, trim boards, just about everything. It worked wonders, but I didn't experience the down side as some have posted here as I did not use it for flooring. It does take a few days to dry. I used it on glass tiles on kitchen counter and on walls. Even on areas not recommended like Luann board, and it still worked just fine. I liked the adhesion it provided for the walls and on the trim boards. Loved it. I'm getting ready to use it on my kitchen backsplash. If you have a flooring job, use regular mortar, but any wall job Omni grip is great. I'm going to use it for my bathroom wall tiles as well. As soon as I get my kitchen done!:vs_karate:

 

[JazMan]

Dance, that's silly. (sorry, couldn't help it) :wink2:

Mastic is easy to use and your tiles will probably not side down the wall, but is a very bad plan for wet areas. A backsplash is fine though. You also shouldn't use mastic for glass tiles. Luan should never be used as an underlayment......ever.

You're mistaking "sticking" with long term bonding under damp/wet conditions. Mastic will re emulsify if it gets wet. Of course people that use mastic are also likely to install over drywall or other unsuitable substrates too.

Jaz

 

[Rocky12]

HELP....I too was told to purchase Omni Grip after telling the sales people at H.D. that the tiles were 12X24 (very heavy) and to be used on a Shower Ceiling! What do I do now. My contactor is not used to using the new acrylic products. What should I actually purchase for the heavy tiles on the shower ceiling? I must do something soon.
BTW, the forum has been great and I agree that Home Depot sales people do not have a "clue" they told me to read the directions which are all small print. Thank goodness I found this forum before a major mistake or accident.

 

[JazMan]

Rocky,

Unfortunately the big box stores couldn't care less if your project works out correctly or not. Regardless of what those clerks tell you, in the end the installer is responsible. The clerk that told you to buy the mastic may have just been hired and may have stocked shelves or worked in the garden isle. Obviously as you said, has no clue.

They should read the labels themselves. But even that won't help cuz they have no experience.

What do you mean by; My contactor is not used to using the new acrylic products.

Sounds like you hired a handyman. This could be strike 2. Tell us more. Why are you making decisions and are responsible for supplying materials?:vs_no_no_no: All you're supposed to do is make tile/grout selections and write the check.

Jaz

 

[Dennis Plavcan]

They will dry eventually, but thinset mortar would have been the way to go. IMHO Omni Grip is for lazy people that don't want to add water and mix real thinset. The only time I ever use it is for kitchen backsplashes. Don't walk on it for at least 3 days, and you should be able to grout by then. Depending on conditions, I've heard of drytimes as high as 1 month for this stuff and even longer to turn hard. Another thing, do yourself a favor and don't use the premixed grout.

 

[Dennis Plavcan]

...so i ended-up using 100% silicone. it stays pliable,and fairly cheap.

I think I’m grip is great for backsplash installation, stays on trowel and easy to spread under cabinets 👍