Replies

1. 
   redeyedfly | Dec 31, 2007 12:42am | #1

   That might be a tough mortar bed to pour. ;)

   Skip the thinset and use mastic on the walls for your backsplash.

1. 
   starfish | Dec 31, 2007 12:49am | #2

   Thanks.

   Actually, I'm not doing the tile work, I'm just trying to keep ahead of the contractor with my paint roller. I know he's going to set the couner tile in a full mortar bed, but have not talked to him about the backsplash. Guess I should have. It being Sunday, I didn't want to disturb him with a phone call at home and thought I'd mine the board for advice.

1. 
   Shep | Dec 31, 2007 12:58am | #3

   You're going to get different advise on this one.

   I tiled my own backsplash, over unprimed rock, with mastic. Its been over 10 years, and everthing is fine.

   This week I'm going to be tiling a customer's backsplash over painted rock, again with mastic.

   I have full confidence that this week's job will hold up as well as mine.

   I do think using thinset is overkill for a kitchen backsplash. Not that there's anything wrong with a little overkill LOL

2. 
   Geoffrey | Dec 31, 2007 03:18am | #4

    

   Gypsum board should always be primed prior to applying any finish......tile,paint, or paper.

            Geoff

3. 
   TBone | Dec 31, 2007 03:28am | #5

   Nix the full mortar bed but be sure you use a good mastic if you go that route. Slate and marble oftentimes be heavy and too heavy for mastic.

4. 
   mike_maines | Dec 31, 2007 03:33am | #6

   I hate mastic.  Thinset is superior in every way, except you have to mix it.  It's not that hard to mix.  It is sticky, stays more flexible than mastic, and it can take wetting. 

   Your tile guy certainly could do a full mortar bed on the walls; that's how all tile work used to be done.  No real advantage considering all the modern materials we have to work with though, especially for a low-traffic area like a backsplash.

   Prime the paper.

   Oh, and make sure the tile guy seals the tiles before grouting.