Using Mesh And Thinset On The Edges Of Wedi And Thermasheet Board For Mosaics

[@suntangram]

Love your videos... thank you! I'm in the U.S. and teach mosaics. I tell my students to watch your videos because new techniques are always available.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Aww Thankyou so much, really appreciate that very much. So glad you enjoy the videos and thankyou for your support. :)

[@katedanis9075]

Thank you for the informative video and tips. I keep rewatching this one and grouting one from time to time and I think every time I do I get to understand things more. Thanks again!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much Kate appreciate that, I consider myself an apprentice because I am always learning and picking up new ideas. Thanks for watching appreciate your comment. 😊

[@JustaMonicker]

I just watched another of your videos about experimenting with a heat gun to cause the tape to stick and conform to the boards better. I just now tried to use a hairdryer and it worked well too. I used a medium to hot setting with a lower air flow. I was careful not to overheat it as the foam can be affected by too high of heat. I held the tape down while it cooled. Careful... it is best to press with something besides your fingers... I pressed along the tape with a a ruler. The glue can still come loose if the tape isn't held down until it is cool. But it worked great! Thanks for the heat idea! The staple idea might be easier, but I don't know how rust proof my old box of staples are and too lazy to run to the store 😂

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much for the comment and feedback. I found it worked well for me however the technique with the heat gun was a bit time consuming and fiddly but l am glad the hairdryer worked well for you. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@pmarlowe1638]

Very thorough and helpful, as usual for your videos! I agree - want to see the finished piece!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much, appreciate that. I'm working on this piece, so I will show it on my Treasury Road Facebook page when completed, it will be a while though. :)

[@marciaelwood5235]

your video are a life saver

[@kls9036]

Perfect! The specific process I wanted to learn. Thanks!

[@TreasuryRoad]

My pleasure Karen and thankyou for watching. :)

[@millville]

Brilliant! An alternative to doing EACH rim one by one is a complete thin gauze being applied (thinsetted) on the backside with plenty of extra fabric still there, for snipping (as with bookbinding snipping) and then pull, staple etc the gauze over to and onto the front side. Humour Warning: Don't get Thinset into your Stapler!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. LOL@Thinset in stapler, yep that's not a good move. lol Yes there are different ways of achieving the same result and its great that we have the different options. :)

[@kathydoull5518]

Great video Peter as always Thanks for the Laticrete videos also I’ve learnt so much from you 👍

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much Kathy, appreciate that and thankyou for watching the videos. :)

[@sharh11]

Thank you!!! Awesome demonstration.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much Sharon, appreciate that. :)

[@sandrakicklighter2735]

Thanks for sharing this info. Doubt I would have thought to use staples. Thanks!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou Sandra and thankyou for watching. :)

[@romyhernandez7811]

Thank you !!!!! I really didnt understand why is it necessary to do that kind of work

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou, its to protect the styrene type center from getting damaged and to give the sides strength when outside in the elements. :)

[@slickbit13]

Can’t wait to see this one completed! Updates, please!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much Liz and thankyou for watching. :)

[@Dls1025]

Hi, love ur videos. Would you recommend this process for Terra cotta tiles. Best substrate? They will have to be sealed prior to laying them. Could you recommend a sealer?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much Donna. I can’t answer your questions because l don’t know how they relate to the projects,

[@Dls1025]

@@TreasuryRoad I have Terra cotta tiles made in Mexico (a mural) that I am applying to cement board to be hung outside. The tile absorbs water and I have to seal prior to applying with thinset to board.

[@carolynjeffs3262]

Thanks for the video. Can I ask what you paint the back and edges with?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. It depends on the substrate and where it’s going. if it’s on Wedi board or something similar, l will tint the thinset using coloured oxides and apply it to the sides as per this video. For the back l use a good quality primer paint suitable for outside in either matte or satin, generally in black. 😊

[@lisarobinson6038]

Great video want to see the finished piece

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thanks heaps LIsa, I'm currently working on that one :)

[@trishjordan1250]

Hi Peter, Thank you for that handy learning. I am just wondering whether the same process needs to be done with Thermasheet. Some time ago I received some sheets from WA and I have not opened the box yet to see whether there are exposed sides.

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much. Any of these lightweight types of board where the styrene type centre is exposed needs to have the edges protected in one way or another. 😊

[@trishjordan3008]

@@TreasuryRoad so does that include thermasheet?

[@lorenzaminghetti134]

@@trishjordan3008 yes, it does

[@gelasat]

Thank you very much for this video. I’m about to start a project with marmox and this video helped a lot. Here in the UK there’s something called Modroc plaster mesh tape which is used for modelling and sculpting. Can the edges be covered with that first and then grouted? And second question: to paint the back of the project, what paint is better to use? Does artist acrylic paint work? Thank you 😊

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. I cant advise you on your tape because I am not familiar with it. I would first check to see if its alkaline resistant then that would be a great start, avoid using grout on the edges of the Marmox board because grout is not durable enough especially if its an outside piece. For painting the back of the boards I use an outdoor acrylic primer paint. A good pigmented artists acrylic paint would probably be fine for an indoor piece but I would do a test first. Thanks for watching. :)

[@jacqualineweber6335]

Hi, Just a quick question: can you just paint the sides if it is for an inside piece please?

[@TreasuryRoad]

Generally speaking I cannot see why you cant just paint the edge if its for inside. However the center styrene type core is still exposed, the paint will only give the edge a cosmetic look. :)

[@jacqualineweber6335]

@@TreasuryRoad Ok, thank you. I might just go ahead and tile the sides. You are as always, a great help😊

[@bettyraimondo4427]

Very helpful. Is marmot the same as wonderboard in the US? I’ve painted the board to seal it, do I now need to do the tape and thin set? Thank you for all of your ever so helpful videos!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much Betty, appreciate that. I am not familiar with Wonderboard, however I have had a brief look around and I don't think they are the same. If Wonderboard doesn't have a styrene type center in it then its completely different. Also I think Wonderboard is water resistant and not waterproof. A similar product to Marmox in the USA is Wedi board. :)

[@lindadrewitt9683]

Thanks Peter, very interesting. Could you please tell me where you get the Marmox board??? I've found a place in Oakleigh - do you know anywhere closer to MornPen??? Thanks again, Linda

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou Linda, you can buy Wedi board which is very similar to Marmox board from Bowens hardware stores, there's one in Hastings, Bowens website will tell you what each store has in stock. I have also created a You Tube video on finding your nearest retailer using the Wedi board website. Here's the link. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4fLaJ5ro8Z_nJY

[@lindadrewitt9683]

@@TreasuryRoad thanks heaps Peter. Will go and visit Bowen’s. Cheers

[@arlenebain5678]

Thanks so much for sharing! Your videos are so helpful. I have a question, not pertaining to this video, but I’m going to ask anyway 😁 Have you ever painted clear glass and used it in mosaics? If so, how? I have looked and looked and can’t find info about how to do it. Thanks again for sharing with us 😊

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou so much. Yes I have painted clear glass , I have a video on it but depending on the environment its in it will fade over time. I haven't used it in a mosaic, I definitely wouldn't use it in an outside piece, inside would be better but getting a really good finish on it is time consuming with the paints I used. :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKqwnKaKrJ1nrrc

[@alisonblack5272]

What is the 'thinset' you are using please? What does the packaging look like?? Where do you get the tape from that you used?

[@TreasuryRoad]

In the description box of the video tells you where I bought the mesh tape from and this video tells you the thinset that I used kzbin.info/www/bejne/qXakfaWChZmKkJo

[@sueconidi3289]

Hi Peter. We use Wedi board here in Sth Australia but generally not 20 ml thickness. I have read that if your work is going to be situated outdoors (eg garden decoration or on a house wall in the case of a house number) it should have the cut edges sealed as you have demonstrated here. I have also been told that just spreading a layer of your grout around the cut edge is sufficient to prevent moisture from getting into the styrofoam. Is this sufficient ? If just grout is OK do you then need to seal the grout to make it waterproof and if so what should you use? Thanks for your very informative videos and for the selfless sharing of your knowledge. Cheers

[@TreasuryRoad]

Thankyou very much Sue, appreciate that. Wedi board is waterproof, however it was not designed to be used as a mosaic backer. Most things in the mosaic industry have been adapted from other industries. The edge of Wedi and other similar lightweight building boards need to be protected due to their styrene type center when using it in mosaics. You can frame it, tile the edge or apply a coat of cement based adhesive, for thicker boards using the alkaline resistant adhesive mesh tape and the cement based adhesive will protect the edges. Grout on its own doesn't have any adhesive properties so it can chip and fall off, nor is it waterproof, its best used in grout lines where its protected. If you use a grout with a latex additive that turns it into a cement based adhesive that is fine for the edge. I like to use thicker lightweight boards on larger projects that are going to be hung on a wall. Thankyou for watching. :)

[@mozhdehnouripayam9470]

Hi Peter, In Australia should I look for Marmox board or Wedi board? And is there any specific store or bunnings that sell them? What kind of adhesive you are suggesting for this substrate apart from thinset? Can I use prep multi adhesive or welbond for adhering ceramic tiles on it? Thanks

[@TreasuryRoad]

Hi Mozhdeh. You can use Marmox, Wedi or Thermasheet board, all are generally available here in Australia, although there could be a shortage of Marmox and Wedi board. Smalti Australia sell Thermasheet in small quantities or you can buy Thermasheet from Tradewarehouse in packs. I really love to use thinset because its works so well, you just need to use an adhesive that's appropriate for what you are adhering and where its going to be going. I cant speak specifically about your job but you may find that adhesives like Prep or Weldbond may get absorbed into the ceramic tile before it cures and if the tiles are not flat the adhesive will have less surface area to adhere to. A test would need to be performed. :)

[@MsK-xm7vw]

Not sure if your way is easier or harder? It uses less tape, but seems like more work. I've always cut mine in 2" strips, molded them around the edges, and secured & flattened with thinset. I would have never thought of tapping lengthwise and stappling it off. I do hat stapplers and they aggrevate my old mosaic claws, so I think I'll just stick to my old tried & true methods...hard to teach us Old Crones new tricks! lol

[@TreasuryRoad]

LOL That's fine we all have our preferences especially if the way you have been doing it works for you. :)

[@joannechris0]

Hi Peter..can you tell me where you purchased the French Cleat from?..cheers!

[@TreasuryRoad]

Joanne it depends on the country you're in, but if you Google French Cleat system you should get some hits. :)

[@joannechris0]

@@TreasuryRoad it’s Australia…Thanks Peter!

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@joannechris0 I cant remember specifically who I bought it from but Google will be your best friend, Shakespeare Solutions stock it and have a free cutting service. :)

[@joannechris0]

@@TreasuryRoad thanks Peter!

[@carolynoliver7618]

Hi Peter, where do I buy thin set?

[@TreasuryRoad]

It depends on what country you are in, if you are in Australia its known as cement based adhesive. If you are in the USA its known as thinset. I would Google it, generally available from tile, hardware stores and some online mosaic retailers. There are different ones make sure you get one that's rated for the tess you are using and the environment its going into. I have made other videos showing you easy ways on how to use it because its very sticky but a wonderful product, choose a good brand. :)

[@carolynoliver7618]

Oh thank you so much, do you recommend a particular one for outdoor? I’m using art glass on Wedi board.

[@carolynoliver7618]

Oh I’m in Toowoomba, QLD

[@TreasuryRoad]

@@carolynoliver7618 I generally use Laticrete cement based adhesive and buy my adhesive from Ozmosaics who are in QLD, I would give Dave or Sandy a call and speak to them. They will tell you which product best suits your requirements. They sell it in smaller quantities as well. :)

[@carolynoliver7618]

Too good!