FIXING HOMEE GLASS MOSAICS
(paper-faced)
THINBED METHOD WITH LATICRETE ® 4237

OVER UNEVEN WALLS OR FLOORS

The surface to be covered with glass mosaics should be smooth and level to within 3mm (1/8") in 3m (10'). If wall or floor surface is uneven, the mortar for leveling is prepared as follows:

LATICRETE ® 3701Mortar Admix mixed with LATICRETE 226 Thick Bed Mortar Mix

The leveling mortar is applied to the clean, damp concrete surface using a flat trowel to level the surface true to within parameters noted above. LATICRETE leveling mortars can be applied from 12mm (1/2") down to featheredge (0mm) in a single application; use only enough mortar to fill in low areas of uneven surface and make surface level, plumb and smooth.

Allow leveling coat to cure 24-48 hours at 20 o C/72 o F ambient temperatures.

ON SMOOTH WALLS OR FLOORS:

GLASS MOSAICS WITH FACE MOUNTED PAPER: The joints of the glass mosaics must first be filled with the LATICRETE mortar. Use the same mortar mixture that is used for fixing the tiles:

LATICRETE 4237 Latex Thin Set Mortar Additive mixed with LATICRETE 211 Crete Filler Powder (white or grey)/ If a colored grout joint or adhesive mortar is required, mix the 4237 with a colored LATICRETE 1500 Series Tri-Poly Fortified Sanded Grout.

The mortar is prepared by mixing in a clean container until smooth (refer to LATICRETE Installation Data Sheet 230.97 for more detailed instructions).

Each sheet of glass mosaics is placed face down and a small quantity of mortar is worked into the back of each sheet. Using the flat (or straight) edge side of the trowel, the mortar is spread across the backs of the tiles filling all the joints. The excess material is removed by pressing the straight edge of the trowel across the backs of the tiles. This leaves a very thin, wet layer of mortar on the back of the glass mosaics, as well as filled joints. Some of the small mosaics are thinner than others and the mortar will properly fill the low tiles.

The mortar is then spread on the wall or floor using a notched trowel. Notch size should be very small, approximately 3 x 3mm (1/8" x 1/8") square. The sheet of glass mosaic that has been freshly prepared with the mortar on the back side, filling the joints, is placed in the fresh combed mortar on the wall or floor. After each sheet of tile is placed on the wall, a flat wood block is used to beat the face of the tiles and firmly imbed (press) the tiles into the mortar in order to produce a flat and uniform surface.

Exterior facades or concrete (beton) that are hot and dry will cause a very rapid drying of the fixing mortar. To obtain longer working time it is necessary to dampen or wet the concrete surface with water immediately before the mortar is applied.

Cold weather or wet concrete will retard the drying of the fixing mortar- after the glass mosaic sheets are placed in the mortar, a longer waiting time is required for the mortar to harden before the paper can be removed from the face of the tile.

CAUTION: DO NOT apply excessive mortar on the surface to be covered with mosaics. DO NOT

use trowel notches larger than 3 x 3mm (1/8" x 1/8"). Too much mortar on the surface will pump or press through the tile joints and produce an uneven finished surface. Excessive thickness of mortar will retard the hardening of the mortar which means that the mortar will remain soft for a long time and delay removal of the paper from the tile face.

CLEANING: Mosaics may be cleaned as soon as they have set firm. Use a sponge dampened with

clean water to moisten the paper sheets covering the mosaics. After waiting a few minutes, peel the wet paper off. Inspect the grout joints for "pinholes' or partially filled areas. Use additional LATICRETE ® 4237 mortar and a rubber grouting float or squeegee to fill any voids. For a large amount of "pinhole" grouting use the mortar mixture shown above gauged with LATICRETE 1776 Grout Admix Plus Microban ® instead of LATICRETE 4237 Liquid. To remove excess mortar, mortar haze or paper glue residue, scrub the mosaics with nylon scrubbing pad or brush dampened with clean water. For stubborn film, use a neutral detergent & water and scrub with a nylon pad. Wipe clean with a damp sponge and buff dry with a clean cloth.

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