Applying Tile Tape
TILE TAPE has been steadily gaining in popularity among Mosaic Tile Artists and Tile Craftsmen in recent years. TILE TAPE is a Mosaic Tile Supply that offers greater control and ease of use that is far superior to other methods and products available today. This article will walk you through several different ways in which you can use our TILE TAPE in your mosaic tile projects and tile installations.
Before you start, make sure your tiles are clean and dry. The preferred method is to simply peel off the TILE TAPE by hand and apply it to the front of the tile pattern. However some of our customers build an apparatus. Either way, it is important to firmly press the tape to the tiles to insure adequate adhesion.
How to Prevent Your Tiles from Moving
When working with small pieces of tile, it can be difficult to keep them stable. The following are a couple of methods we have discovered to help hold your work in place. Spraying adhesive on your tabletop or paperboard is one simple solution. You can also make a jig using four pieces of 1" x 2" wood. Make the jig a little bigger than the length and width of your pattern. Then, using blue masking tape (the widest available), place strips of tape across the jig until the space is full. Then flip the jig over and it is ready to build a mosaic or border. You will be able to place and move your pieces easily because the blue masking tape is low tack. You then place your pieces with the backs of the tile against the blue tape adhesive, so that you can see your mosaic pattern. Once your pattern is complete, apply TILE TAPE to the top of the tiles.
Making a Mold out of Wood and Glue Tile Separators
A mold is ideal for projects that involve making a number of borders or accents with the same pattern. This will enable you to space your tiles, assemble your pattern and then apply our tape. Many of our customers set up a workbench with a tape dispenser mounted horizontally on the side.
Advantages of Using Tile Tape over Kraft Facing
Kraft facing requires applying water-soluble glue to one side of kraft paper and, while still wet, applying it to the face of your tile pattern. Once it is dry it is then installed. The obvious problems here are: having to mix the glue; having to apply the glue; having to clean up the glue container and brushes and tables; and more importantly, the installer cannot see the pattern. We have heard many stories about installers discovering that they have put in the work upside down and the subsequent headaches of correcting this, stories differing depending upon whether the mistake is discovered while the mortar is still wet or not. With TILE TAPE the installer can see all the parts and, as long as they were assembled correctly to begin with, will not need to adjust pieces. If there is adjusting to do TILE TAPE is easily cut with any knife.
Another common problem is the accidental spilling of water on kraft facing, causing pieces of the tile to fall off before installations. TILE TAPE is not water-soluble.
The advantages of using TILE TAPE over any Back-Mount method is the ease of use; no glue to buy, mix, apply and clean up. There is no waiting for the glue to dry before putting meshed tiles in boxes or into mortar or thinset. More importantly the tile will have 100% adhesion with the mortar or thinset when using TILE TAPE as opposed to 50% to 70% contact when using mesh.
Mesh-Mount Paper, Fiberglass & Tape
Makers of Quality Mosaic Tile Supplies & Tapes
Mesh-Mount Paper, Fiberglass & Tape makes perforated paper and fiberglass meshes, as well as specialty adhesive film, Tile Tape, for mounting stone, ceramic and glass tiles in making mosaics, borders, accents, listellos and medallions. The paper and Fiberglass meshes are typically used for back mounting, while the tape is for front or face mounting.
http://www.meshmountpaper.com
