[mjkpainting]

We are putting granite in our kitchen and my wife wants to get rid of the laminate backsplash and replace it with tile. Can I tile over this laminate??????? I am just wondering if it would properly adhere?????


Removing that laminate backsplash would be an awful pain in the rear. Please tell me there is an alternative??????

 

[drtbk4ever]

So have you decided not to cut the laminate as per one of your other threads?

That would be the best way in my opinion.

 

[mjkpainting]

Yea it runs behind the cabinets and I can't seem to get that good clean cut. Mostly because there are some weird angles because there is trim underneath the cabinets which I don't want to ruin by popping off. So far I attempted to use a dremel/cutting tool with a laminate bit and toe kick saw. I actually damaged one of the cabinets from the dremel kicking back.

I also used a razor knife with a titanium blade. I got the closest and cleanest cut with that but it's taking forever and it's a pain in the behind around those angled areas.

My dad came over and said, "son just tile over it" and it made me think- I never orginally asked if I could tile over the laminate.

 

[cabinetman]

You can tile over the laminate, just scuff it up with 36x or 50x sandpaper. One other consideration is the chrome cove moulding between the splash and the top. That could have been applied to the bottom edge of the splash (by nailing and adhesive/caulk), or could have been nailed to the countertop.

If you are replacing the top, getting it out with the splash in place may be problematic. My suggestion is to remove the splash. If you do, be careful, as the cabinets may be somewhat supported by the splash...maybe not.

 

[Ron6519]

Can you post a picture of the backsplash going under the cabinets?
Ron

 

[mjkpainting]

I will post a picture as soon as I get home thanks

I am not trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill but for some reason I think that taking off this backsplash with the cuts against the cabinets is going to be a pain in the rear.


If I do have to remove the backspash, can I tile right up against the sheetrock or do I have install some sort of backing??????

 

[mjkpainting]

Can I put a thin layer of luan over the backsplash and then tile over that?????

 

[Ron6519]

Can I put a thin layer of luan over the backsplash and then tile over that?????

Definitely not! Luan is not a suitable substrate for tile.
Ron

 

[mjkpainting]

If do end up removing the laminate backsplash, can I tile over the sheetrcock that is behind the backspslash??? I got a look at it and it is unprimed drywall.

If luan isn't the answer what is a good product that is thin to put over the drywall for the tile to adhere?????

 

[drtbk4ever]

Yes you can tile directly over the drywall. The thing I am not sure about is whether or not you want the drywall primed first. Anyone?

 

[Ron6519]

As long as the drywall is flat and smooth, you can tile over that. There's no need to prime or paint.
Ron

 

[mjkpainting]

HELP!!!! The countertops are coming

Thanks so much guys- you guys were a huge help but I need one more thing

I removed (some) the laminate backsplash and there is a lot of yellow glue on the wall and the paper came off of the drywall in most areas.

WHAT DO I DO NOW??????
I think I have to skim coat this b/c it's so uneven. I know that the glue will react to the water in the compound. Can I oil prime and then skim coat with compound???????

I have never tiled before so I don't know the mastic will adhere to. Please HELP

 

[mjkpainting]

good call on the chrome molding

YOne other consideration is the chrome cove moulding between the splash and the top. That could have been applied to the bottom edge of the splash (by nailing and adhesive/caulk), or could have been nailed to the countertop.

You were exactly right. The chrome cove molding was installed between the counter top and the splash. Therefore the splash needs to come out. Unfortunately I didn't understand what you were talking about before but I sure do now.

 

[Mop in Hand]

I have tiled over drywall after repairing it. However, I've never repaired that much before (quite the mess you have going) (couldn't be helped I'm sure). It's a judgement call but I'm almost inclined to say replacing the drywall with a CBU and using thinset maybe a better option at this point. If not, oil prime the drywall FIRST before making the repairs and then prime again after.

 

[Ron6519]

It looks like they just glued the laminate to the wall, without any sort of substrate. A very odd application. Never seen that before.
If they used contact cement to adhere the laminate, you might be able to go over that with the mastic. It should not be water sensitive. Test a section to see.
Depending on how rough the wall surface is, would determine if you need to skim coat it. With a notched trowel the tile will float above the walls surface and not sit directly on it. I think you would need to paint it to seal the surface. You don't want the paper bubbling off the sheetrock. I'd use an alcohol based primer to minimze moisture on the paper.
Ron

 

[mjkpainting]

It looks like they just glued the laminate to the wall, without any sort of substrate. A very odd application. Never seen that before.
If they used contact cement to adhere the laminate, you might be able to go over that with the mastic. It should not be water sensitive. Test a section to see.
Depending on how rough the wall surface is, would determine if you need to skim coat it. With a notched trowel the tile will float above the walls surface and not sit directly on it. I think you would need to paint it to seal the surface. You don't want the paper bubbling off the sheetrock. I'd use an alcohol based primer to minimze moisture on the paper.
Ron

Thanks Ron
I'm going to try what you said. I'll test it first but I'm sure it's going to have to be leveled out a little. I will use an alcohol primer and then skim coat it with compound.

Thanks

 

[drtbk4ever]

Mjk, I feel for you man.

Wouln't it be a lot easier at this point to rip out the drywall between the cabinets? Put in new drywall or CBU as someone else suggested.

 

[mjkpainting]

Mjk, I feel for you man.

Wouldn'tit be a lot easier at this point to rip out the drywall between the cabinets? Put in new drywall or CBU as someone else suggested.

I know but I so damn slow at measuring/cutting drywall. I am at that stage in my basement project and I'm like a turtle.

I'm a part time painter and do a lot of patching so I'm better skim coating.

I just wish I wasn't under a time constraint. My wife really porked me on this one by ordering granite and giving me 3 nights after work to take out the countertops and have the backsplash removed and prepped

Woman, cant live with them, pass the bear nuts!!!

 

[drtbk4ever]

I'm a part time painter and do a lot of patching so I'm better skim coating.

Woman, cant live with them, pass the bear nuts!!!

I gotcha Mjk. Skim away and post up some photos of your results. It will look great once you get there.

And perhaps you meant BEER nuts. Personally I don't want to get close to bear nuts, it'd be worse than the wife on a rampage.

 

[mjkpainting]

I did good- thanks everyone

I got the laminate off, primed in Gardz and taped some areas and skimcoated one coat. You guys are the best. You led me step by step. Just wait for the tiling questions b/c you boys are going to have your hands full with this first timer. Here are some pics