THINSET TILE ADHESIVE
• This is the white powder in your kit packed in a mixing container.
• Add water in small amounts to achieve a frosting-like consistency. Mix with the plastic knife.
• Keep some dry thinset back just in case you add too much water.
• Stir often & cover if you need to step away.
• It has a “memory” – apply fresh thinset if you move a piece.
• Throw in garbage when done (never put in the sink).
SUBSTRATE
• The substrate is the back of a glazed 4” x 4” ceramic tile.
• You will glue the mosaic pieces to the rough side of the tile, not the shiny side.
MOSAIC MATERIALS (also called TESSERAE)
• Stained glass and mirror (thickness will vary)
PROCESS
• Design your mosaic before mixing thinset.
• Create a simple pattern or randomly place your mosaic materials. Don’t leave gaps!
• Lay out part of your design and then start to glue. It is difficult
to lay out the entire design and then glue.
• Bring your design all the way to the edge.
• Glue the mosaic pieces close together.
• Butter the backs of each mosaic piece with your yellow knife.
• Thinset should squish out the sides a bit but NOT come up & over the top. Use less thinset if this happens.
• Allow to dry for at least 24 hours before grouting.
GROUT
• This is the black powder in your kit (packed with gloves in a mixing container).
• Always use a powdered, SANDED grout.
• Wear disposable gloves & dust mask (if available).
• Put down old newspaper on your work surface.
• Mix grout with water to be thick like cookie dough. I mix it with my fingers.
• Always keep some dry grout just in case you add too much water. If it’s too runny, allow it to sit for a bit to set up.
• Rub grout all over with your fingers, pressing into the gaps and sides (use the crumbs to fill in as needed).
• If a piece comes loose, use whatever quick dry glue you have available (like liquid nails, silicone caulk, Weldbond) & fix it. Hold it in place while you grout carefully around it.
• Use a crumpled newspaper to “scrub” it off – do NOT use anything wet.
• The grout will get very hard when it dries and cures, so you need to clean it while it’s wet.
• Use something with a sharp edge to clean out around areas with height differences (skewer, toothpick, Popsicle stick). Throw in garbage when finished (never put in the sink).
• Dark grout is often the best choice.