Hi Peter, Thankyou for the video. Because of you and your videos I have used Hydroban, Latcriette adhesives and grout. I have used mesh and I have used Mac glue with so many good results. Thank you so much from an another Aussie in NSW. Regards Alana
Thankyou very much for your lovely complement, they are all great products and I love them, you may also want to look at Prep MutltiUse adhesive which is an Australian product and is cheaper than Mac, I made a video on that as well, just as another option to using Mac. :)
As usual, delivering tons of info without chatter. Keep ‘em coming! Who knew mirrored tiles needed sealing? Every time I listen to these videos I find out how little I know!
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. You shouldn't go to far wrong if you remember the right substrate the right adhesive and the right tessera (materials you stick down) for the environment its going into. :)
Through and so well explained! I have been working with warm glass for many years and just started mosaics a couple of years ago. Making art during a pandemic is the only way to keep your sanity, at least for me! A friend asked me how to start a project and thankfully you were here to help. I sent her this link. Very hard to teach art through email. Thanks again!
Thankyou very much Yvonne, I agree art has helped a lot of people to keep their sanity during these trying times for me as well. Thankyou for sending the link hopefully my videos will help your friend and thankyou for watching. :)
Hi Peter I”m so glad I found your video. I’m 78 and just starting mosaics. I’m planning on making a cross for my cousins grave, I’m glad you mentioned not to use wood, MDF and products like that. So I need to make my cross first in a suitable material, before doing the mosaics.Thank you I’m also in Melbourne. Do you by any chance teach mosaics ? I’ve liked and subscribed 😊
Hi Wendy thankyou very much and thanks for subscribing as well. I'm not running any classes although it is something that I have considered, hopefully early in the New Year things may change. Creating mosaics is wonderful and can be very relaxing, Mosaics Australia Wide on Facebook is a great mosaic group to join, appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. :)
Oh Peter, I am a 70 year old female, just starting on the mosaic journey. I LOVE your videos. I am asking a big favour, can I copy your due diligence. Lol. I am trying to mosaic a paver, and I would want to use Laticrete products, yes, because of your suggestions, my hero. Lol. Is that OK. I would even drive to Virginia, north side of Brisbane, not USA. Gees, I think I am funny. Only I do. Thank you dear for sharing all of your expertise with us. It is so appreciated, by many. Luv ya.😁
LOL: Thankyou and my pleasure, by all means copy the due diligence, I love the term, sounds very official. lol If you're wanting to use Laticrete products you can buy it online from OzMosaics in QLD in smaller quantities. You can use other products instead if you choose to as there is always more than one way to do a project, enjoy the mosaic journey, love you as well. :)
Hey there Peter. How are you today, well I hope. I have been to Oz mosaics and have my laticrete at the ready. Thank you for sharing that info. I am such a sook, I have my 1st paver ready to go, may I share it with you when I have it finished. I may be suffering from old timers disease by then, lol and forget what it is. My dilemma at the moment is, can I use laticrete with Davco sanitised colour grout. I don't want to be a bother, because I know you are a gentleman and will probably answer my question, you don't have to my dear. No pressure. Regards Sherie Rodrigues.
Great video. I use to mosaic for fun before my kids were. They are grown now and I want to get back into it. I love is southern Cali and want to mosaic birdhouse. The birdhouse is made of wood. Can you please give me some pointers to keep the longevity? Thank you!!
Thankyou so much Rene appreciate that. Don’t use wood to mosaic on outside not even marine ply. Wood interacts with the environment and will eventually cause failure of your mosaic.and it won’t matter how much prepping you do. :)
Hi Peter Your videos are brilliant. So helpful.... I am going to mosaic a very large pvc pipe. It will stand in an unprotected space in a Brisbane area. Not sure if I should use glass or ceramic tiles i have both. Happy New Year and thank you for helping. Carmel>
Hi Peter, thank you for this great information! I’m making a sun catcher, placing stained glass pieces on plexiglass to hang outside. I’m using outdoor silicone as will be see through. I’m not sure what to seal with to protect. I’m in California. This piece will be hung in Mt. Shasta - land of snow and cold but warms up nicely in the summer. ☺️ thank you for any advice!
Hi Deni, I would be looking at using Litokol Epoxy Grout because its waterproof so it doesn't require sealing and more durable than sanded grout. However the weather there is quite extreme so I would suggest reading the technical data sheet on the product to make sure it can withstand that environment. They are easy to read and generally on the manufactures website to look at. Or you could give the USA distributor a call and ask them, they are called the Tile Doctor. Thankyou for watching and also for your comment. :)
Hi Peter I’m just trying to set myself up to commence mosaic art. Watching this I noted you mentioned products that cannot be used in the environment. Can you direct me to the rules and refs. I’m in Victoria.
Welcome to the mosaic journey Tracee. My suggestion would be to start here, this will give you the basics. ua-cam.com/play/PL3hbSHuG7eHQfy8Y0FN7hZIvlEK-MlErP.html There are other things but this will be a good start. Also joining a Mosaic Facebook group such as Mosaics Australia Wide, very friendly and informative, I am in that and generally answer questions along with other people in there as well if you get stuck or need to know something. I consider this group and Australian Mosaic Artists to be the best two Australian Mosaic Groups. Choose a project first and then think about the materials you would like to work with such as crockery, glass etc or a combination of materials and then purchase the necessary tools. Avoid buying anything now until you know what you would like to do because you may buy things that could waste your money and you might change your mind with what you would like to work with. I am also in Victoria. :)
Hi Marilyn, Bunnings dont sell those products. You can buy Thermasheet from www.tradewarehouse.com.au which is more cost effective and a similar product. I dont think Marmox is available at the moment. If you are after just small pieces of Thermasheet you can purchase them from Smalti Australia. Don't forget to purchase the hanging kit at the same time, they need to go on BEFORE you mosaic onto the board. Thanks for commenting and watching. :)
Hi Peter! Your videos are great - I've been watching them to help me on my journey of creating my first mosaic! I'm planning on using a porcelain paver tile as my substrate (still learning the lingo!) for my outdoor project. Would you recommend sealing it first (it doesn't seem porcelain is that porous, but I don't want to mess this up!)! Thank you again for your videos!
Thankyou very much Katherine. I cant speak specifically about your job as there are always variables I cant see like any job. Generally porcelain wont need sealing as its pretty waterproof. To check to see if its porous, place a few drops of water on it and if it absorbs into the tile its porous.
You are a God send! I've watched as many of your videos as I can get my eyes on. I too am a first time mosaicist, from Texas, USA, and my first piece will be an outdoor hour number plaque for my daughter in Arizona, dessert heat up into the 110 F in summer, down to the 50F range during winter nights, no moisture, no freezing. I cannot find wedi or marmox board at the local home improvement stores, please help! I have everything ready but my substrate! Is there another name for this stuff in the US? Should I look in the lumber yard or the drywall, or plumbing areas? I've looked everywhere, and I want my piece to last...I'm really stuck. Thank you so so much for your videos ❤️, cheers!!!
Thankyou and my pleasure. Wedi is available in the USA my suggestion would be to give them a call to find your nearest stockist as Im based in Australia or check out their website wedi.de I would defiantly be looking at plumbing stores as its used in bathrooms areas. I also believe that the USA has other materials that can be used outside. This company should be able to help you in Texas or point you in the right direction, I have never dealt with them.. Buy Floors Direct Phone: (615) 590-0500
Have you ever heard of Pal Tiya Premium? It is fully weatherproof and can survive freeze/thaw conditions and whatever weather you throw at it...you can also make any shape you want...
Hi Peter. Your videos are so helpful! I'm planning to make some mosaic table tops for our back deck (not covered). So I need to cut the substrate into 24" circles. What would you recommend?
Thanks very much, l can’t comment specifically about your job because there are variables l don’t know about. I would consider looking at substrates or similar substrates such as Wediboard or cement sheet. They will need good support under the table. thanks for watching and appreciate the comment. 😊
Thank you Peter for wonderful videos. I’m follower on your Treasury Road. I watched this video several time on which grout to use for outdoor. I started to get confused about your favorite thin set: LadderCrest Permacolor Grout and LadderCrest Latex Admix. Almost on last part of video you mentioned LadderCrest Spectralock Pro Premium grout (AB) (epoxy). So my question is: use thin set (LadderCrest Permacolor Grout and LadderCrest Latex Admix) on tessera to attach to a substrate first. Then use Spectralock Pro Premium grout (AB) (epoxy) as grout over tessera as final? Please clear up my confusion. Have you ever thought of sell your Idiot’s Guides Indoor and Outdoor Mosaics books? I would purchase for my reference.
Thankyou so much Janette. For me I use Laticrete Permacolour grout and Laticrete Latex Admix mixed together to create a coloured thinset so it matches the grout colour. However most people just buy thinset on its own and dont colour it. For an outdoor project I use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy Grout, most people just use a sanded grout such as Laticrete Permacolour grout mixed with water however I find there are great befits to using the Spectralock grout as it doesn't require sealing, is more durable and smoother, however it is more expensive is a three part system and also has more of a learning curve to it. But if you are starting out just use a sanded grout such as the Permacolour grout rather than the Spectralock until you feel more comfortable. One important thing is and its a good habit to get into is read the manufacturers technical sheets generally found on their website, read them as they give you all the information you need to know and to be honest they are not very technical to read, doing this before buying any product or taking an advice even from me will ensure you buy the correct product for your job, I do this with any new product before I buy it. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for replied. I rather do right thing first time and last longer for outdoor regardless price is expense. So I will use Spectralock grout.
@@janettedorricott4419 Thankyou so much, I find for me it works really well but its by no means the best for everyone there are many professional artists that dont use it on outside pieces, its like everything its what suits best for your needs and your job. There is always more than one way to do a job its just a way that I find works for me and if you choose to use it, ALWAYS read the manufacturers Safety Data Sheets as well so you can take the necessary safety precautions in fact read them on any product before buying it, this is so very important and that's what I do to ensure I take the necessary safety precautions, I cannot stress that enough. :)
Why do you use the marmox board over cement sheet or tile underlay which has a thinner profile? And why the need to seal cement sheeting? Thank you! Great videos too
Thankyou so much Anna, Marmox board is lighter and easier to hang, cement sheet is a lot heavier. Cement sheet is porous and most people prefer to prime it or add a waterproofing membrane before mosaicking to so as moisture doesn't effect the substrate or the mosaic, others prefer to adhere straight to it without priming it, they believe that if the primer fails so will the mosaic. However I haven't had that that happen and like everything products and technology have advanced over the years, there are fors and against and its also depends on the environment its going into. I prefer to use a turnkey system such as Laticrete Hydroban and Laticrete thinset where the manufacturers have designed them to work together but these are just my choices. :)
I just love your channel you are so informative! Question: i plan on making stepping stones up north leaving outside in winter. Shud i use cement pavers or wedi board? Not sure if wedi board is fir outside use. Wedi board so much lighter. Also I have tons of glazed ceramic all shapes tiles I planned to use with thinset as both adhesive and as a grout. Will they be fine in winter? Ty so much!
Thankyou very much Tina, appreciate that. I can’t comment specifically about your job as there are many variables as with any job. For pavers I definitely wouldn’t use Wedi board that’s suitable for mosaicking on but not as a paver. Thinset is good to use an adhesive especially outside just make sure you buy one that’s suitable for your job as there are different types. Also you need to be careful using glazed ceramic tiles on a stepping stone because there could be a problem with slippage. Depending on the environment they are in you may need high fired ceramic tiles. 😊
I have the high fired glossy tiles. They won't be used for people to walk on just decorative. Ty so much fir your detailed advice! You are so knowledgeable!
Hi there Peter, could u give me some advise on preparing a fibreglass surfboard .lt will be displayed in a patio .l have taken the wax off and that's all I've done, ..
We know this is maybe too late however, if you are in the US or Aus, you could cover the surface of your surfboard with our medium Pal Tiya Premium and then mosaic right onto that and it would be fully weatherproof...
Thankyou so much. It really depends on how extreme the conditions are by the sea and what you are working with. These will dictate what measures you need to take. 😊
The mosaic will be in an area which receives over 36 inches of rain per year and about one half mile from the ocean. Everything metal rusts, so if that helps at all. Was considering mosaic on a bowling ball mounted on a rod running through a fibreglass birdbath base. The birdbath is coated with a light cement substrate.
Hi Peter, you videos are so very helpful, thank you. But latcriette has many differed ‘admix” I am wondering if you can be more specific as to what you are mixing with the grout to make your thinset. Do you also have a ratio? Thanks!
Thankyou so much, you need to read the Laticrete manufacturers technical data sheets on their website they are very easy to read and will advise you of the correct products and also if they are suitable for your job, I do that with all products before I buy them. The one I use is Latex additive 4237 mixed with Laticrete Permacolour grout to make thinset (cement based adhesive). :)
I am putting together a mosaic using tiles from Tunisia. They absorb the drop of water very quickly. Is there a sealer I can use and still use these tiles for a mosaic? These are six-by-six inch tiles. I am using backer board. What kind of adhesive? Grout? I am in the central valley of California with very little rain (11 inches in a good year).
I cant answer your questions because there are to many variables that I cannot see. I would be inclined to create a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups and hopefully you will receive some good answers from people that are familiar with your area and the tiles. I would also post photos of the tiles you are using, front and back and also the type of backer board you are using. There are penetrating sealers available. Thankyou for watching. :)
Hi Peter, another great tutorial! I love your videos. Thanks for sharing all the techniques! A question for mosaic totem pole substrate. I read people using PVC post sleeve. I can’t find any PVCs supplies due to covid19. Do you have any suggestions for alternative material? Thanks!
Thankyou so much. If I was making a totem pole PVC piping does appear to be the material of choice for joining the pieces together as it doesn't rot or rust, is light and easy to use. I can only suggest a hardware or plumbing supplies or garden stores for availability or they may have an alternative product you can use. Some people have been creative and used terracotta pipes new or 2nd hand and joined them together and adhered to them but of course it depends on the environment you're in and if they suit your needs. :)
Great information, thank you for taking the time to share this, I have a question about wellbond and thin set. I just finished my first mosaic project, a cinder block with glass tiles and thins set as grout. I did not seal the cinder block (my first mistake) but I wonder if the wellbond will still be ok even if moisture seeps in from the back because I used thin set instead of grout. I plan to do more of these and use them to create a raised garden bed, so I want to make sure I’m doing them well enough to last. As a side note, I am in Texas, USA and we aren’t faced with too much frost here, a couple rainy seasons but not drenching but heat around 100 degrees f for a good 5 or so months out of the year. -April
Thankyou so much, I haven't had much to do with cinder blocks, if its made from just concrete and depending on the quality of the concrete as in how porous it is, although the thinset has been used as the grout, it hasn't been used as the adhesive to adhere the tess to the block so the tess may still come off if moisture comes in contact with Weldbond. When using Weldbond outside moisture and water are its enemy and if it doesn't come in contact with either of those it should be fine. Every persons job and situation is different so Im generalizing here. :)
Thank you for responding. Hopefully my first block turns out ok, I’ll be sure to make the adjustments so I don’t have to worry about the rest of the blocks. Thanks again for the information, your videos have helped answer a lot of questions for me. Learning this craft during the pandemic has really helped to give me something to look forward to and feel good about. I am a disabled Veteran with 4 kiddos at home, two of my kids are Autistic. So it’s a little stressful here sometimes, this has been such a rewarding break :)
@@akmartinez419 Sorry I only just saw your comment. Mosaics have been very helpful for many during this time and yes you would be under considerable pressure and stress at times, I hope you and your family are going well and also thankyou for your service. :)
Sorry no I haven't, since this video was made I have changed over to Litokol Epoxy grout which I prefer and I have made videos on it. Thanks for watching and for your comment.:)
I want to use a smooth plastic mannequin as the base for an outdoor mosaic. Can you recommend an adhesive that will work for adhering the mosaic pieces onto the smooth plastic?
The problem with using plastic is that it can become brittle. Another problem is the surface tension that a lot of plastics have can be a major issue, many adhesives do not stick well long term. Quite a few people just rough up the plastic a little and then use a silicone as their adhesive, apparently its quite successful but I cant comment on that because I don't use plastic as a substrate. Make sure the mannequin substrate doesn't have any flex in it at all. You may be able to coat it in PalTiya which would make it totally outdoor durable, I would contact PalTiya and seek their advice on that. www.paltiya.com :)
I cant advise you because there are so many variables that come into play here. Type of metal, Environment conditions, Thickness of metal, Size of metal, Condition of metal. etc. If you look up Aureleo Rosana on Facebook he has posts and files on preparations of different materials and adhesives. He mosaiced onto metals successfully, including commercial commissions. Generally most people just use a silicone but preparation is key as well to do it properly. Aureleo died around a year ago, he was so knowleable and a great guy, we would often chat about mosaics. I hope this helps. :)
Hello - I'm looking to make an outdoor mosaic on a free little library which will be made out of wood. To do this, should I use a concrete backing / hardy board as my substrate and simply attach it to the side of the library / wood with screws? Thank you in advance!
I cannot answer specifically about your job but using hardi board (cement sheet) would be better than doing the mosaic on wood, like any project there are many variables that I cannot see so seeking professional local help would be advisable. I would consider stainless steel screws so they don’t rust, marine grade quality. 😊
I believe acrylic sheet expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. For small pieces its not an issue however larger pieces it may be an issue. I think its around 3mm for every 30cm per 20 degrees of temperature change. But you would need to speak to a specialist acrylic retailer or manufacture to confirm this. :)
I can’t answer specifically about your job because there are variables with it that l don’t know about. There are different tile adhesives on the market you would need to make sure you choose one that’s suitable for the job and the environment it’s going into. You can always check with the manufacture to make sure, many of them have a technical department. I wouldn’t mosaic onto wood as it interacts with the environment causing failure of your mosaic. Thanks for watching. 😊
Hi Peter, I wish to make a friendship post for out in my garden. I know you say not to use timber but I will need to get a post 100 x 100 to do this. Is there a best type of timber to use to avoid cracking or splitting and how best to seal it. I will be using a capital on the top. Any advice you can offer will be gratefully received. I have done a couple of totems using pipes but this needs to be square. Many thanks, Chris
Hi Christine. I'm not sure what a friendship post is but definitely do not use wood outside to mosaic onto, not even marine ply. It wont matter how well you prep it your mosaic will eventually fail. I cant comment specifically about your project but I would suggest using Wedi board and joining the sides together with construction adhesive one that doesn't eat styrene and apply a bead on the inside where the joins are as well. If you have the room you could also apply a strip or several strips of Wedi board to the inside lengths where the joins are to secure the two sides together using construction adhesive to help reinforce it in those areas. On the outside where the joins are I would then apply Alkaline resistant adhesive mesh tape and a coat of thinset to protect the exposed styrene edges. Just my thoughts and thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Hello Peter. Thanks a lot. I have a question about cement boards. would you mind to spell their names because I was not able to fund any of them. best. Irina.
Hi Irina. I am based here in Australia so the terminology may be a bit different. Here we can use Cement Sheet which in the USA may be known as cement board, Wedi Board is lightweight and there are others. I would probably create a post in the Facebook group called Mosaic Mentoring. There are a lot of people in that group that are in the USA and will be able to give you a wider choice of materials. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Besides pva glue and water could you seal with any type of sealer that would protect most substrates? Very informative video…thanks Peter! I’m still learning.
Thankyou so much What you use depends on the substrate and the job and what's available in your country, if you're not sure read the technical data sheets as these will contain the important information and what substrates they are suitable for , this is what I do for every product. The sheets are very easy to read and generally available from the manufactures website you can also give the companies a call. :)
Thanks very much Peter, great info. Can I please ask, I have quite a bit of mirror tiles to use on a project outside, It’s a big concrete pad that a fire pit sits on. What protective coating do you suggest to use on back please? And also do you have any experience with heat? The fire pit sits quite high on a stand and i would like to use a mixture of stained glass, mirror and crockery.. any advice please?? I’m in Melbourne too. Thanks very much
Thankyou so much, I cant advise you as I have no experience with fire pits and heat, you would need to read the manufacturers stat sheets. I would look at Laticrete products which are not sold in Bunnings but specialized tiles stores, theres many around Melbourne and I would also give Laticrete Australia a call and speak to their tech department for advise and they will suggest the correct products. For the mirror tiles a neutral curing adhesive is advisable so the reflective backing isn't effected. :)
You can use Thermasheet which is very similar to Wedi board. Its available online from www.tradewarehouse.com.au or from their warehouses in NSW and Victoria. Smaller pieces online from www.merlinmosaica.com.au in the ACT. Also Mosaic Bazaar sells smaller pieces as well. :)
I can’t comment specifically about your job but Porcelain tile has extremely low absorption unlike ceramic which can readily absorb moisture. If you are using a porcelain tile as a substrate and you are adhering the Tess to the back then you will be covering up that surface area anyway of course you will need to use suitable Tess for that environment as well. I would also consider using Litokol epoxy grout instead of normal sanded grout because its waterproof and more durable. Always read the technical data sheet on any product you are looking at using to make sure it’s suitable for your job. They are easy to read and generally available on the manufactures website. Thanks for watching. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad I’m so sorry…. I meant what type of protective sealant for the back of mirror squares? I will research this though because I probably won’t find the same product you use here in the states.
@@j.c.7555 For adhering mirror you need a neutral curing adhesive such as a silicone or a SMX polymer like Soudal Fix All Crystal Clear. Make sure the product states neutral cure so the reflective backing isn't effected. Also make sure if you are grouting with an ordinary sanded grout that it doesn't come in contact with the reflective backing either. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for all your information. Obviously I’m a newbie and you have taught me a ton. I’m watching all your videos and they are a huge help.
Thankyou very much Elea. I haven’t used PVC pipe as a garden substrate, some people have though. Some people give it a light sand over first and others just use silicone straight on it without sanding. How well any of this works and how much longevity the mosaic would have l have no idea. It would also depend on the environment that it’s in as well. 😊
I love your videos!! I am mosaicing my grandmother’s birdbath and I have been watching your videos to help me get everything together. It is a concrete birdbath so I want to seal it. What exactly do you recommend I use as a sealer? Thank so much!!
Thankyou very much, just make sure the birdbath is in very good condition, no cracks or problems with the concrete, give it a through clean and check it well. The sealer depends on whats available to you, you can use Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproof membrane, its not clear, in some cases if the birdbath was new and very smooth it would need roughing up a bit to give the Hydroban some tooth to adhere. Just use a concrete sealer that you have access to but before buying any product check out the manufacturers data sheets to ensure its suitable and it will also give you the limitations of the product. Have a look at a few and see which one suits best, dont use a spray sealant its best to use a commercial product not a craft product. :)
Hi Peter, I have an old bath rain which is made of fiber glass. I want to mosaic it with some left over tiles from a Bathroom Reno work to make a Grotto . Please can you advise me on what grout and other materials will be the best to use for this project Thanks Vanessa
Hi Vanessa, I cant answer your question because there are so many variables I cannot see, such as condition, environment, tess, location, etc. I would suggest creating a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups such as Mosaic Mentoring, include photos and all other relevant information that I mentioned. The more information you give the better the advice will be. Thanks for commenting. :)
If I use thinset to attach my pieces to my concrete stepping stone then use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy grout, do I still need to seal the concrete stepping stone with a concrete sealer "before" I put my pieces down with thinset?
There are different opinions on sealing and everyone has their preference. Some people prefer to seal because it stops moisture from being absorbed into the substrate especially when dealing with freeze thaw conditions because water droplets can expand around 8% causing failures of your mosaic. Also the water may interfere with the adhesive or the moisture can be sucked out of the adhesive itself. Other people prefer not to seal substrates because they believe that sealing creates a barrier where the adhesive doesn't actually adhere to the substrate, just to the sealant. So if the sealer fails so does your mosaic. If they are using a cement based adhesive they tend to wet the substrate down and then apply the tessera to the piece, this stops the moisture from being sucked out of the adhesive and if part of the substrate looks to be drying out they just wet it a bit more before going over it with tessera. All these are fair comments, however penetrating sealers penetrate into the substrate just as the name suggests so it doesn't just sit on the top, unlike surface sealants. Also the type of adhesive needs to be taken into account, such as silicone or a cement based adhesive (thinset) etc. I have spoken to Laticrete at length on this subject. There are many cement based adhesive manufactures which say do not use a sealant if you are using a cement based adhesive, the reason being is there are many sealants and waterproofing membranes on the market, they cannot guarantee their cement based adhesive will work with the sealant. To be honest I think there are situations where sealing is required and their are situations where sealing probably isn't necessary and of course it depends on the adhesive you are using and the environment on where its going. Always read the technical data sheet on what ever product you are using or about to buy because this will have all the facts in it. I have created stepping stones where I have sealed the substrate and where I haven't and they are all fine to this day many years later. 🙂
Hi, I'm from the US and Northern Pennsylvania, I want to do an outside mosaic. What kind of grout would I use, or do you add something to the grout. I would take these in for the winter, but they will be in cool spring and fall conditions. and subject to rain.
Hi Deb, l can’t speak specifically about your job as like any job there are many variables than lm not familiar with, l would give Laticrete a call as they are based in the USA and l use their products all the time. They will be best to advise you.
You can do a GOG for outside but it comes down the environment it’s in and the table itself. What l would suggest is create a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups with a photo of the table and where you are along with the environment it’s going to be in. A couple of good FB groups would be mosaic mentoring and mosaics Australia wide, l am in both of these they are awesome groups. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hello Peter. Thanks for sharing your indo. I've never done mosaic and I want to put a design on a wooded swing post ...will be forever in the putdoor elements .....what would you recommend . Thanks in advance
Thankyou very much Melissa. In this video I go through and explain some of the materials you can and cannot use unfortunately mosaicing onto wood outside is not a good substrate due to it interreacting with the environment that its in. I cant speak specifically about your job because I have no idea about its situation or conditions. Generally I would be inclined to mosaic onto something like a cement sheet or Wedi board and secure that to the post or secure it to the post and then mosaic it. There is still a risk of contraction and expansion in the wood but hopefully this method will reduce that stress on your mosaic. :)
I have learned so much in this video, thank you so much! You explain explain everything so well, it's a pleasure to learn with you! 😃 I have a question: are you familiar with the CERATON unglazed mosaic tiles made of fine ceramic powder? Another manufacturer of a similar product is called WINKELMANS in France. If you know these, do you think that they could be used outside on the floor of an entryway? And should they be sealed after installation if the area gets wet with potential freeze in the winter? Thank you so much. Looking forward to more videos from you.
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. I have heard of Winklemans but have never used them. You would need to contact a reseller or the manufacture thry would be able to advise you on them. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for replying so quickly 😘 FYI, I did get an answer yesterday to my inquiry from both Ceraton and Winkelmans (both seem to be identical with slight variations in the color range) and it turns out both products are waterproof, frost, acid, alkali and shock resistant. Sounds like the perfect option for an outdoor mosaic in my area of the world (Bavaria, Germany). Keep up the excellent work and thanks again for the useful content you produce.
@@sophieauert Thankyou so much and Thankyou for letting me know. I would also check to see if they are slip resistant or even better they have a slippage rating, which is important for a floor. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much, you really do think of everything! I did check that too and they are slip resistant. Also, their color does not deteriorates or fades over time and they are easy to cut. Seems like the best option to me. I also asked the manufacturer if a sealant needs to be applied after installation (because the tiles are not glazed), they say no. No need for any sealant at all. I will test all that on a small surface first before tackling the large porch area. Thanks again for your support.
It depends where you're using it and what you are doing with. When it comes to sealing some people do seal substrates and some people don't, there are mixed opinions on this. :)
There are protective coatings that are available in the marketplace, you would need to Google it to see what's available in your country specifically for mirror. Some people use a clear nail polish and they say it works well, however I haven't done that so I don't know successful that is. I use a neutral curing adhesive that doesn't eat the reflective backing such as Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All, its like a silicone but it doesn't contain the solvents that silicones have and is neutral curing. :)
I cant comment on your project as there are so many variables and really very little information. You will probably need a combination of adhesives depending on the tess you're using, the environment its in. Generally speaking, using porcelain isn't an issue but again I cant comment specifically on your usage or job. :)
I'd like to add mosaic to the sides of my wooden deck as a border. Any advice on how to do that? You had mentioned not to use wood. Is there something I can place over the wood and then add the mosaic over that second material?
Definitely dont mosaic over the wood I would look at using something like cement sheet or Wedi board and mosaic to that, there would be other products you can use but it depends on what's available where you are and also the environment on where it is regarding preparation as well. :)
I have never used Sandstone flags to mosaic on, you would need to be careful because I believe they are porous and you don't want it sucking out the moisture. :)
Laticrete Hydroban is a waterproofing membrane generally its paint on, around 3 coats and it shouldn't be exposed to the sun after 30 days. So within that time it needs to be mosaiced or painted over. Always read the technical and safety data sheets they are very easy to read before purchasing or using as with any product. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
I cant comment specifically about your job as there are many variables that I cannot see. Why do you want to seal the backs of your ceramic pieces, assuming the substrate is waterproof and a suitable thinset with an additive will be waterproof, and using a waterproof grout such as an epoxy grout. The moisture wont be able to get to them. You can always use very high fired pieces that have been vitrified, porcelain that are waterproof. :)
Hola.. I am wanting to start my first outdoor mosaic wall. I live in Mexico in a small town where the walls can be very rough. Do you recommend that the wall be treated first with something? Does the existing paint need to be removed or cemented over before starting the mosaic? Thank you Kathie from Mexico 🐢
Hi Kathie, I cannot answer your question as there are many variables like in all jobs that I cannot see and I'm not familiar with the location of where it is or Mexico. I would suggest you create a post in one of the Facebook groups such as Mosaic Mentoring and hopefully someone that is familiar with your town or may even live close by who is a mosaic artist will be able to advise you. I also suggest taking photos, saying what the wall is made of, the condition of the wall, what tessera (the pieces you will be adhering onto the wall such as crockery, tiles, etc) and adhesive you will also be using. I do not adhere to paint because if that lets go your mosaic will fail, also if the paint is flaking it would need to come off. :)
Hello Peter, I also have enjoyed several of your videos and adore your lovely Aussie accent. I am in northern Mn, USA and interested in doing an outdoor mosaic. Fairly large piece. A "sign" for my cabin. I have several large pieces of metal highway roadsigns that were left by previous owners and I was thinking that one of them would make a good substrate for an outdoor piece like this? I can't find any recommendations on how to approach this, or if it would work or not. Which side to use, do I seal it first. Recommendations of any kind. What would the best adhesive be? I had an artist friend draw me up the picture, I've collected various outdoor approved multimedia type tes, although I am sure I will need more. Also, sealing the piece? The size of this project would be roughly 3x7ft. Holes already in the signs and the posts are here to put it up. Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
Hi Nancy Thankyou so much. l can’t comment on you project as there are just so many variables such as type of metal, the environment, the Tess, etc. l would be inclined to create a post in Mosaic Mentoring on Facebook you may get other artists that are familiar with the area that could correctly advise or the other alternative is to see a local artist that has mosaic skills that would be able to advise if if it costs you a few dollars as it will be more cost effective than creating it and your mosaic fails. 😀
I have a question I hope you can answer. I used white cement as grout for three small terracotta pots with mosaic on them! I did not clean the xtra cement off so it has hardened all over the mosaic tiles and it’s taking me an age to scrape it off!!!!!! Biiiig mistake!!!! I don’t know what I was thinking!!!! Any solution to this problem? H e lllllppppp!
When you say you used white cement, l take it you mean a white cement based adhesive? How much you left on is the question of how difficult it will be to remove. I will assume it’s not caked on but more of a residue or coating l would be inclined to wrap a wet rag around the pot to allow the cement to absorb the moisture and then have a go at cleaning a bit at a time. This should make it easier but l am guessing because l don’t know the product you have used, the amount of cement and the time it’s been left on etc. You could create a post in a couple of the Facebook groups such as Mosaic Mentoring or Mosaics Australia Wide and post photos, name the product you used to give a better idea and someone may have another suggestion. 😊
I have used Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane. There are many different ones on the market, you can use a penetrating sealant thats suitable for porous materials. Just have a read on the packaging to make sure its suitable for what you are wanting to do. Thanks for commenting. :)
I can’t answer specifically about your job as there are many variables l cannot see and l don’t know the metal you’ve used. I also haven’t had much to do with metals. If you’re on Facebook check out Aureleo Rosano as he is a mosaic artist that goes in depth on adhesives and different metals. 😊
Where's are some good places to sell one's work at online *(aside from Etsy) ? I've made some very nice pieces of mosaic art recently & working on a lot more.
Selling ones art is not as simple as just posting or going to a show, you need to know the market your selling to and the customers that your art is aimed at, no matter where you sell your art being Facebook, a dedicated website, market, in a shop on commission, gallery or on ETSY which I don't think is near as good as it used to be, all these require promoting and working to achieve sales but like I said just adding it to these places is only part of the equation and will only get you part way. The saying if you "build they will come" just doesn't work to create sales its a combination of so many things much more than what I've just mentioned or could ever mention in a couple of paragraphs. :)
Thankyou and my pleasure. It depends on the country you're in as to what they call them, but you can get rejects from tile specialist stores, also recycle places where they are donated to from people that have an over supply or a left over renovation stock. :)
I am in Southern Arizona. I am wondering about tiling over 2 different types of substrates. One would be wood pillars on my porch. The other would be the stucco wall on the outside of my house. What would you recommend to prepare those surfaces. And can I use broken pottery. We are a very dry climate and there hardly ever is a freeze thaw. Occasionally we do have freezing temperatures in the winter but it's few and far in-between
I cant answer your question specifically as there are so many variables and Im not familiar with your area, stucco or timber. Crockery isn't really meant to be outside so if you do get any freeze thawing then water droplets that get into the crockery expand around 8% causing fractures and failure of your piece. The other thing is the wood on your porch will also interreact with the environment its in which can also cause problems in your mosaic. Your mosaic will only be as good as the substrates you put it onto and the materials you use. :)
I just use a penetrating concrete sealer, just Google and see what's available in your country. Have a read of the video description above as well that gives about more info regarding sealing, some people choose not to. Thanks for watching. :)
You can change the colour of grout and thinset with coloured oxides or a good artists pigment. There are ratios to go by so its best to have a talk to your mosaic grout retailer that sells the colourants. Thanks for watching. :)
Hi, hope you can help me. I made an outside table with tile and the tile seems scratched after I added the sanded grout. What product can I add to make the tile shiny again and to seal? I am so sad that after this hard work the tile looks scratched. Help me please!!
Hi Maria, If the tile was a normal glazed tile the sanded grout shouldn't have scratched it nor should they require sealing, however there are a huge range of tiles out there so I cant answer directly for your job as I dont know the tiles or how you grouted them. I would have thought they may have been scratched before grouting and the grout bought the scratches out. Some people use toothpaste to clean tiles that are scratched then a car wax to seal, I am only generalizing on this and not saying this will work for your table so proceed with caution, you will also need to be careful not to discolour the grout. :)
Hi Peter, I am continuing my questions on sealant that i just posted on your video on adhering mesh to pavers. If you are using the option of wetting down the area instead of sealing how and when do you do that? And then do you do some kind of top coat or varnish on the final project? Thx
Some artists apply a sealant to porous substrates such as terracotta and concrete before mosaicking onto and others prefer not to as they want the adhesive to bond directly to the substrate it really is a personal choice and also dependent on the environment its in. If you are creating a terracotta mosaic pot or a concrete paver and you are using thinset as the adhesive then the substrate can be moistened down prior to adhering the tess, this stops the terracotta from sucking out the moisture from the adhesive. Heres a video on it. ua-cam.com/video/UDgGXWbOGH8/v-deo.html Generally a grout sealant is applied after the project is finished and the grout has cured but some grouts do not require a sealant, if you are using normal sanded grout then a grout sealer is applied to protect the grout, the tess generally doesn't require a sealant over it if you are are using stained glass, vitreous tiles, crockery glazed tiles etc.
Hi peter what grout do you recommend for an outdoor mosaic going on a metal table? The table top has a lip so the grout can easily be contained on the top but i dont know what grout to use on this?
I cant speak specifically advise you about your job as there are always variables that I cannot see. For my outdoor projects I generally use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy grout or Laticrete Permacolour grout but for outside my preference is the Spectralock, it has mold and mildew inhibitors in, is a three part system and is smoother than ordinary sanded grout and is more durable but it is a three part system and more expensive. Before buying any product read the manufacturers technical data sheets and the MSDS they are easy to read and available on the manufacturers website that way you will have all the necessary information to see if they are suitable for your job. You can always give Laticrete a call as well and speak to their technical department. :)
@@lezzu2 I have been using Soudal Fix All in clear as it doesn't contain solvents like many silicones (not sold at Bunnings) but you can use a neutral curing silicone. Some people coat the mirror backing with a specific mirror protectant and then you can pretty well use any adhesive however I haven't done that. As always ready the manufactures data and safety sheets before purchasing any products to ensure its going to be compatible with what you are doing and also the necessary safety requirements you may need to take. :)
@@TreasuryRoad I am working on a mural and want to add mirrors for the children to see their faces in, I have been using Soudal for mirror work but would like to seal the backs of the mirrors I have so I can use cement adhesive with the rest of the mosaic. What is the product in Australia, to use for spraying on the back of mirror please? I am getting mixed suggestions in searches. TIA x
Hi Is it possible to contact you regarding the extra precautions necessary for FNQ tropics and outdoor mosaic to be directly adhered to concrete drainage system please...l am struggling to find enough information from material listings for this specific application. Or am l being unrealistic in attempting this?
Hi Sue, I don't give advise on specific personal projects especially ones like this. Its is very important that you receive the correct information. There are just so many variables that I cannot see nor am I familiar with the environment. I would consult with a professional mosaic artist even if it means paying for the persons guidance, someone familiar with your area. You may even need to consult other professionals such as an engineer if its on a concrete drainage system. I would also consult a professional manufacture such as Laticrete when you are familiar with the logistics and speak to their tech department on the adhesives, prep and grout. I cannot advise you if you are being unrealistic on taking on this job because I do know know your expertise and confidence level. If you are armed with the correct information and well prepared that would be a great start. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thank you for your reply, it is much appreciated. I will and have been seeking advice from professionals re excavation, engineer etc on the overall system, which is predominantly rocks but with concrete bag, with reinforcements to create swaddles and prevent erosion. Thank you for your advice and l had better do some more researching 🤗 for information 🌞👍
I haven't adhered anything to fiberglass so Im not the best person to help you regarding adhesive or preparation. I do believe some people give it a light sand and use Dunlop Tile All but you would need to research that a bit more. As always no matter what product you are looking at buying read the manufacturers data sheets to ensure its suitable for the substrate, the tess and the environment its going into. :)
It all comes down to the glue, some glues will work on wood, GOG and other substrates. Each glue has their pros and cons and its choosing the best glue for a particular job. Weldbond can be used for wood, GOG and many other substrates however when it comes in contact with moisture it reverts back to its original state, its just a PVA, so its not suitable for certain projects. MAC glue was made specifically for GOG by an artist it has a thinner consistency that some people dont like but I consider it the best GOG adhesive and for general usage, it can also be used on other substrates. There are always going to be glues that some people like and dislike for one reason or another, if you can use the same glue for a few different projects, then thats fine. :)
@@fionatasmania5386 l can’t comment specifically about you job as there are variables like any job that l cannot see. However for me if the condition on the concrete tub is very good and clean, l would consider Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane and Laticrete thinset as the adhesive depending on your Tess. Some people don’t seal concrete substrates if they are using thinset (cement based adhesive). They wet the surface down so as the concrete doesn’t suck the moisture out of the thinset. Before using any product always read the manufacturers technical data sheets before buying, they are easy to read and generally available on the manufactures website. There are other sealants and waterproofing membranes on the market to look at as well, there is always more than one way to do a job and you can always create a post in one of the FB groups for other peoples opinions as well. :)
There are different sealers on the market and waterproofing membranes so its wise to follow the directions on whichever one you buy. Generally the same or a similar way as I showed in the video on sealing a terracotta pot. :)
@@yvonneschimmel453 Depending on the project I am doing, I always read the technical dat sheet and the MSDS of any product that Im looking at buying and use the best one for the job, they are so easy to read but are gold. I use Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane or pretty well any impregnating concrete sealant and of course what's accessible and available in your country. :)
Hi Peter, Thankyou for the video. Because of you and your videos I have used Hydroban, Latcriette adhesives and grout. I have used mesh and I have used Mac glue with so many good results. Thank you so much from an another Aussie in NSW. Regards Alana
Thankyou very much for your lovely complement, they are all great products and I love them, you may also want to look at Prep MutltiUse adhesive which is an Australian product and is cheaper than Mac, I made a video on that as well, just as another option to using Mac. :)
Thank you Peter
As usual, delivering tons of info without chatter. Keep ‘em coming! Who knew mirrored tiles needed sealing? Every time I listen to these videos I find out how little I know!
Thankyou so much Donna, none of us ever stop learning, thanks again. :)
The substrate question has been one that has kept me from getting started. THANK YOU so much for making this video. It was perfect!
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. You shouldn't go to far wrong if you remember the right substrate the right adhesive and the right tessera (materials you stick down) for the environment its going into. :)
Through and so well explained! I have been working with warm glass for many years and just started mosaics a couple of years ago. Making art during a pandemic is the only way to keep your sanity, at least for me! A friend asked me how to start a project and thankfully you were here to help. I sent her this link. Very hard to teach art through email. Thanks again!
Thankyou very much Yvonne, I agree art has helped a lot of people to keep their sanity during these trying times for me as well. Thankyou for sending the link hopefully my videos will help your friend and thankyou for watching. :)
Thank you for this informative video. Just what I have been looking for before I start my outdoor mosaic project.
Thankyou very much Sue, I'm glad its helped you moving forward with your project. Appreciate the comment. :)
Hi Peter I”m so glad I found your video. I’m 78 and just starting mosaics. I’m planning on making a cross for my cousins grave, I’m glad you mentioned not to use wood, MDF and products like that. So I need to make my cross first in a suitable material, before doing the mosaics.Thank you I’m also in Melbourne. Do you by any chance teach mosaics ? I’ve liked and subscribed 😊
Hi Wendy thankyou very much and thanks for subscribing as well. I'm not running any classes although it is something that I have considered, hopefully early in the New Year things may change. Creating mosaics is wonderful and can be very relaxing, Mosaics Australia Wide on Facebook is a great mosaic group to join, appreciate your comment and thanks for watching. :)
Super informative & I could listen to your Ozzie accent forever. 😍
LOL Thankyou so much, there are many that would say 5mins is enough. lol
Love the inflection at the end of sentences. So Aussie.
Oh Peter, I am a 70 year old female, just starting on the mosaic journey. I LOVE your videos. I am asking a big favour, can I copy your due diligence. Lol. I am trying to mosaic a paver, and I would want to use Laticrete products, yes, because of your suggestions, my hero. Lol. Is that OK. I would even drive to Virginia, north side of Brisbane, not USA. Gees, I think I am funny. Only I do. Thank you dear for sharing all of your expertise with us. It is so appreciated, by many. Luv ya.😁
LOL: Thankyou and my pleasure, by all means copy the due diligence, I love the term, sounds very official. lol If you're wanting to use Laticrete products you can buy it online from OzMosaics in QLD in smaller quantities. You can use other products instead if you choose to as there is always more than one way to do a project, enjoy the mosaic journey, love you as well. :)
@@TreasuryRoad My friend, I am influenced by you. You are the man, the mosaic man and a true gentleman. Thank you. Sherie
@@sherierodrigues1569 Aww Thankyou so much, really appreciate that. :)
@@TreasuryRoad 👍
Hey there Peter. How are you today, well I hope. I have been to Oz mosaics and have my laticrete at the ready. Thank you for sharing that info. I am such a sook, I have my 1st paver ready to go, may I share it with you when I have it finished. I may be suffering from old timers disease by then, lol and forget what it is. My dilemma at the moment is, can I use laticrete with Davco sanitised colour grout. I don't want to be a bother, because I know you are a gentleman and will probably answer my question, you don't have to my dear. No pressure. Regards Sherie Rodrigues.
Great video. I use to mosaic for fun before my kids were. They are grown now and I want to get back into it. I love is southern Cali and want to mosaic birdhouse. The birdhouse is made of wood. Can you please give me some pointers to keep the longevity? Thank you!!
Thankyou so much Rene appreciate that. Don’t use wood to mosaic on outside not even marine ply. Wood interacts with the environment and will eventually cause failure of your mosaic.and it won’t matter how much prepping you do. :)
This was perfect 👌 And I see people have found it very useful - all the info needed for an outside piece. ☺️
Thanks very much Cheryl, appreciate it. :)
Thank you for not recommending wood for outside substrates!
Thankyou, yes not using wood outside is a golden rule of mosaics. :)
Hi Peter Your videos are brilliant. So helpful.... I am going to mosaic a very large pvc pipe. It will stand in an unprotected space in a Brisbane area. Not sure if I should use glass or ceramic tiles i have both. Happy New Year and thank you for helping. Carmel>
Thankyou Carmel and my pleasure. Happy Nee Year as well. 😊
Hi Peter, thank you for this great information! I’m making a sun catcher, placing stained glass pieces on plexiglass to hang outside. I’m using outdoor silicone as will be see through. I’m not sure what to seal with to protect. I’m in California. This piece will be hung in Mt. Shasta - land of snow and cold but warms up nicely in the summer. ☺️ thank you for any advice!
Hi Deni, I would be looking at using Litokol Epoxy Grout because its waterproof so it doesn't require sealing and more durable than sanded grout. However the weather there is quite extreme so I would suggest reading the technical data sheet on the product to make sure it can withstand that environment. They are easy to read and generally on the manufactures website to look at. Or you could give the USA distributor a call and ask them, they are called the Tile Doctor. Thankyou for watching and also for your comment. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thank you so much!!
lol that’s probably because people aren’t as messy as me. lol
Can you please make a video on how to properly work with wood? Before and after project.
I take it this would be for an inside project? Also when you said working with wood what would you like to know.?
Hi Peter
I’m just trying to set myself up to commence mosaic art. Watching this I noted you mentioned products that cannot be used in the environment. Can you direct me to the rules and refs. I’m in Victoria.
Welcome to the mosaic journey Tracee. My suggestion would be to start here, this will give you the basics. ua-cam.com/play/PL3hbSHuG7eHQfy8Y0FN7hZIvlEK-MlErP.html There are other things but this will be a good start. Also joining a Mosaic Facebook group such as Mosaics Australia Wide, very friendly and informative, I am in that and generally answer questions along with other people in there as well if you get stuck or need to know something. I consider this group and Australian Mosaic Artists to be the best two Australian Mosaic Groups. Choose a project first and then think about the materials you would like to work with such as crockery, glass etc or a combination of materials and then purchase the necessary tools. Avoid buying anything now until you know what you would like to do because you may buy things that could waste your money and you might change your mind with what you would like to work with. I am also in Victoria. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanx heaps Peter
Hi Peter I went to Bunnings last week Trades had never heard of Wedi or Marmox...😂
Hi Marilyn, Bunnings dont sell those products. You can buy Thermasheet from www.tradewarehouse.com.au which is more cost effective and a similar product. I dont think Marmox is available at the moment. If you are after just small pieces of Thermasheet you can purchase them from Smalti Australia. Don't forget to purchase the hanging kit at the same time, they need to go on BEFORE you mosaic onto the board. Thanks for commenting and watching. :)
Hi Peter! Your videos are great - I've been watching them to help me on my journey of creating my first mosaic! I'm planning on using a porcelain paver tile as my substrate (still learning the lingo!) for my outdoor project. Would you recommend sealing it first (it doesn't seem porcelain is that porous, but I don't want to mess this up!)! Thank you again for your videos!
Thankyou very much Katherine. I cant speak specifically about your job as there are always variables I cant see like any job. Generally porcelain wont need sealing as its pretty waterproof. To check to see if its porous, place a few drops of water on it and if it absorbs into the tile its porous.
Love your mosaic videos, Peter. From Stephanie in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 😊
Thankyou, appreciate that. :)
thank you your videos are very informative and it"s great that it is Ozzie based.
Thankyou so much Cheryl appreciate that, I am glad you are enjoying the Aussie localization. Thankyou for the support. :)
You are a God send! I've watched as many of your videos as I can get my eyes on. I too am a first time mosaicist, from Texas, USA, and my first piece will be an outdoor hour number plaque for my daughter in Arizona, dessert heat up into the 110 F in summer, down to the 50F range during winter nights, no moisture, no freezing. I cannot find wedi or marmox board at the local home improvement stores, please help! I have everything ready but my substrate! Is there another name for this stuff in the US? Should I look in the lumber yard or the drywall, or plumbing areas? I've looked everywhere, and I want my piece to last...I'm really stuck. Thank you so so much for your videos ❤️, cheers!!!
Thankyou and my pleasure. Wedi is available in the USA my suggestion would be to give them a call to find your nearest stockist as Im based in Australia or check out their website wedi.de I would defiantly be looking at plumbing stores as its used in bathrooms areas. I also believe that the USA has other materials that can be used outside. This company should be able to help you in Texas or point you in the right direction, I have never dealt with them.. Buy Floors Direct Phone: (615) 590-0500
@@TreasuryRoad thanks so much! I've been researching for so long now, ready to get started!
Have you ever heard of Pal Tiya Premium? It is fully weatherproof and can survive freeze/thaw conditions and whatever weather you throw at it...you can also make any shape you want...
Hi Peter. Your videos are so helpful! I'm planning to make some mosaic table tops for our back deck (not covered). So I need to cut the substrate into 24" circles. What would you recommend?
Thanks very much, l can’t comment specifically about your job because there are variables l don’t know about. I would consider looking at substrates or similar substrates such as Wediboard or cement sheet. They will need good support under the table. thanks for watching and appreciate the comment. 😊
Thank you Peter for wonderful videos. I’m follower on your Treasury Road.
I watched this video several time on which grout to use for outdoor. I started to get confused about your favorite thin set: LadderCrest Permacolor Grout and LadderCrest Latex Admix. Almost on last part of video you mentioned LadderCrest Spectralock Pro Premium grout (AB) (epoxy). So my question is: use thin set (LadderCrest Permacolor Grout and LadderCrest Latex Admix) on tessera to attach to a substrate first. Then use Spectralock Pro Premium grout (AB) (epoxy) as grout over tessera as final? Please clear up my confusion.
Have you ever thought of sell your Idiot’s Guides Indoor and Outdoor Mosaics books? I would purchase for my reference.
Thankyou so much Janette. For me I use Laticrete Permacolour grout and Laticrete Latex Admix mixed together to create a coloured thinset so it matches the grout colour. However most people just buy thinset on its own and dont colour it. For an outdoor project I use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy Grout, most people just use a sanded grout such as Laticrete Permacolour grout mixed with water however I find there are great befits to using the Spectralock grout as it doesn't require sealing, is more durable and smoother, however it is more expensive is a three part system and also has more of a learning curve to it. But if you are starting out just use a sanded grout such as the Permacolour grout rather than the Spectralock until you feel more comfortable. One important thing is and its a good habit to get into is read the manufacturers technical sheets generally found on their website, read them as they give you all the information you need to know and to be honest they are not very technical to read, doing this before buying any product or taking an advice even from me will ensure you buy the correct product for your job, I do this with any new product before I buy it. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for replied. I rather do right thing first time and last longer for outdoor regardless price is expense. So I will use Spectralock grout.
@@janettedorricott4419 Thankyou so much, I find for me it works really well but its by no means the best for everyone there are many professional artists that dont use it on outside pieces, its like everything its what suits best for your needs and your job. There is always more than one way to do a job its just a way that I find works for me and if you choose to use it, ALWAYS read the manufacturers Safety Data Sheets as well so you can take the necessary safety precautions in fact read them on any product before buying it, this is so very important and that's what I do to ensure I take the necessary safety precautions, I cannot stress that enough. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you! I printed out from SpectraLock website for instruction and other information. Wish me a good luck!
@@janettedorricott4419 Sounds like a plan Janette, best of luck and let me know how you go. :)
Why do you use the marmox board over cement sheet or tile underlay which has a thinner profile? And why the need to seal cement sheeting? Thank you! Great videos too
Thankyou so much Anna, Marmox board is lighter and easier to hang, cement sheet is a lot heavier. Cement sheet is porous and most people prefer to prime it or add a waterproofing membrane before mosaicking to so as moisture doesn't effect the substrate or the mosaic, others prefer to adhere straight to it without priming it, they believe that if the primer fails so will the mosaic. However I haven't had that that happen and like everything products and technology have advanced over the years, there are fors and against and its also depends on the environment its going into. I prefer to use a turnkey system such as Laticrete Hydroban and Laticrete thinset where the manufacturers have designed them to work together but these are just my choices. :)
I just love your channel you are so informative! Question: i plan on making stepping stones up north leaving outside in winter. Shud i use cement pavers or wedi board? Not sure if wedi board is fir outside use. Wedi board so much lighter. Also I have tons of glazed ceramic all shapes tiles I planned to use with thinset as both adhesive and as a grout. Will they be fine in winter? Ty so much!
Thankyou very much Tina, appreciate that. I can’t comment specifically about your job as there are many variables as with any job. For pavers I definitely wouldn’t use Wedi board that’s suitable for mosaicking on but not as a paver. Thinset is good to use an adhesive especially outside just make sure you buy one that’s suitable for your job as there are different types. Also you need to be careful using glazed ceramic tiles on a stepping stone because there could be a problem with slippage. Depending on the environment they are in you may need high fired ceramic tiles. 😊
I have the high fired glossy tiles. They won't be used for people to walk on just decorative. Ty so much fir your detailed advice! You are so knowledgeable!
Hi there Peter,
could u give me some advise on preparing a fibreglass surfboard .lt will be displayed in a patio .l have taken the wax off and that's all I've done, ..
Hi Leanne, I cant help you on this project because I don't have any experience with mosaicking on a surfboard. :)
We know this is maybe too late however, if you are in the US or Aus, you could cover the surface of your surfboard with our medium Pal Tiya Premium and then mosaic right onto that and it would be fully weatherproof...
Do you know any particulars on mosaic work by the sea? Limitations, etc? Thank you. Extremely informative video.
Thankyou so much. It really depends on how extreme the conditions are by the sea and what you are working with. These will dictate what measures you need to take. 😊
The mosaic will be in an area which receives over 36 inches of rain per year and about one half mile from the ocean. Everything metal rusts, so if that helps at all. Was considering mosaic on a bowling ball mounted on a rod running through a fibreglass birdbath base. The birdbath is coated with a light cement substrate.
@@kbevard4602 have you ever tried Pal Tiya Premium?
Hi Peter, you videos are so very helpful, thank you. But latcriette has many differed ‘admix” I am wondering if you can be more specific as to what you are mixing with the grout to make your thinset. Do you also have a ratio? Thanks!
Thankyou so much, you need to read the Laticrete manufacturers technical data sheets on their website they are very easy to read and will advise you of the correct products and also if they are suitable for your job, I do that with all products before I buy them. The one I use is Latex additive 4237 mixed with Laticrete Permacolour grout to make thinset (cement based adhesive). :)
Thanks just starting ... very helpful info.
Thankyou Theresa, appreciate you watching and welcome to mosaics, it’s quite addictive. 😊
I am putting together a mosaic using tiles from Tunisia. They absorb the drop of water very quickly. Is there a sealer I can use and still use these tiles for a mosaic? These are six-by-six inch tiles. I am using backer board. What kind of adhesive? Grout? I am in the central valley of California with very little rain (11 inches in a good year).
I cant answer your questions because there are to many variables that I cannot see. I would be inclined to create a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups and hopefully you will receive some good answers from people that are familiar with your area and the tiles. I would also post photos of the tiles you are using, front and back and also the type of backer board you are using. There are penetrating sealers available. Thankyou for watching. :)
Hi Peter, another great tutorial! I love your videos. Thanks for sharing all the techniques! A question for mosaic totem pole substrate. I read people using PVC post sleeve. I can’t find any PVCs supplies due to covid19. Do you have any suggestions for alternative material? Thanks!
Thankyou so much. If I was making a totem pole PVC piping does appear to be the material of choice for joining the pieces together as it doesn't rot or rust, is light and easy to use. I can only suggest a hardware or plumbing supplies or garden stores for availability or they may have an alternative product you can use. Some people have been creative and used terracotta pipes new or 2nd hand and joined them together and adhered to them but of course it depends on the environment you're in and if they suit your needs. :)
Great video explained everything learned a lot of information thanks
Thankyou, appreciate that. :)
Great information, thank you for taking the time to share this, I have a question about wellbond and thin set. I just finished my first mosaic project, a cinder block with glass tiles and thins set as grout. I did not seal the cinder block (my first mistake) but I wonder if the wellbond will still be ok even if moisture seeps in from the back because I used thin set instead of grout. I plan to do more of these and use them to create a raised garden bed, so I want to make sure I’m doing them well enough to last. As a side note, I am in Texas, USA and we aren’t faced with too much frost here, a couple rainy seasons but not drenching but heat around 100 degrees f for a good 5 or so months out of the year. -April
Thankyou so much, I haven't had much to do with cinder blocks, if its made from just concrete and depending on the quality of the concrete as in how porous it is, although the thinset has been used as the grout, it hasn't been used as the adhesive to adhere the tess to the block so the tess may still come off if moisture comes in contact with Weldbond. When using Weldbond outside moisture and water are its enemy and if it doesn't come in contact with either of those it should be fine. Every persons job and situation is different so Im generalizing here. :)
Thank you for responding. Hopefully my first block turns out ok, I’ll be sure to make the adjustments so I don’t have to worry about the rest of the blocks. Thanks again for the information, your videos have helped answer a lot of questions for me. Learning this craft during the pandemic has really helped to give me something to look forward to and feel good about. I am a disabled Veteran with 4 kiddos at home, two of my kids are Autistic. So it’s a little stressful here sometimes, this has been such a rewarding break :)
@@akmartinez419 Sorry I only just saw your comment. Mosaics have been very helpful for many during this time and yes you would be under considerable pressure and stress at times, I hope you and your family are going well and also thankyou for your service. :)
Do you have a video on on use using Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy grout on a mosiac piece?
Sorry no I haven't, since this video was made I have changed over to Litokol Epoxy grout which I prefer and I have made videos on it. Thanks for watching and for your comment.:)
I want to use a smooth plastic mannequin as the base for an outdoor mosaic. Can you recommend an adhesive that will work for adhering the mosaic pieces onto the smooth plastic?
The problem with using plastic is that it can become brittle. Another problem is the surface tension that a lot of plastics have can be a major issue, many adhesives do not stick well long term. Quite a few people just rough up the plastic a little and then use a silicone as their adhesive, apparently its quite successful but I cant comment on that because I don't use plastic as a substrate. Make sure the mannequin substrate doesn't have any flex in it at all. You may be able to coat it in PalTiya which would make it totally outdoor durable, I would contact PalTiya and seek their advice on that. www.paltiya.com :)
@@TreasuryRoad thank you for the advice x
Is thinset a good adhesive to use on a metal table, for out doors? Thank you.
I cant advise you because there are so many variables that come into play here. Type of metal, Environment conditions, Thickness of metal, Size of metal, Condition of metal. etc. If you look up Aureleo Rosana on Facebook he has posts and files on preparations of different materials and adhesives. He mosaiced onto metals successfully, including commercial commissions. Generally most people just use a silicone but preparation is key as well to do it properly. Aureleo died around a year ago, he was so knowleable and a great guy, we would often chat about mosaics. I hope this helps. :)
Thanks Peter. Very informative video.
Thankyou so much and thanks for watching. :)
Hello - I'm looking to make an outdoor mosaic on a free little library which will be made out of wood. To do this, should I use a concrete backing / hardy board as my substrate and simply attach it to the side of the library / wood with screws? Thank you in advance!
I cannot answer specifically about your job but using hardi board (cement sheet) would be better than doing the mosaic on wood, like any project there are many variables that I cannot see so seeking professional local help would be advisable. I would consider stainless steel screws so they don’t rust, marine grade quality. 😊
Thanks could I use acrylic glass sheet as a base for outside:?
I believe acrylic sheet expands and contracts with temperature and humidity. For small pieces its not an issue however larger pieces it may be an issue. I think its around 3mm for every 30cm per 20 degrees of temperature change. But you would need to speak to a specialist acrylic retailer or manufacture to confirm this. :)
Does Tile adhesive work outside? If I don't use grout at all. I want to do a shell design on my side railing of wood?
I can’t answer specifically about your job because there are variables with it that l don’t know about. There are different tile adhesives on the market you would need to make sure you choose one that’s suitable for the job and the environment it’s going into. You can always check with the manufacture to make sure, many of them have a technical department. I wouldn’t mosaic onto wood as it interacts with the environment causing failure of your mosaic. Thanks for watching. 😊
Hi Peter, I wish to make a friendship post for out in my garden. I know you say not to use timber but I will need to get a post 100 x 100 to do this. Is there a best type of timber to use to avoid cracking or splitting and how best to seal it. I will be using a capital on the top. Any advice you can offer will be gratefully received. I have done a couple of totems using pipes but this needs to be square. Many thanks, Chris
Hi Christine. I'm not sure what a friendship post is but definitely do not use wood outside to mosaic onto, not even marine ply. It wont matter how well you prep it your mosaic will eventually fail. I cant comment specifically about your project but I would suggest using Wedi board and joining the sides together with construction adhesive one that doesn't eat styrene and apply a bead on the inside where the joins are as well.
If you have the room you could also apply a strip or several strips of Wedi board to the inside lengths where the joins are to secure the two sides together using construction adhesive to help reinforce it in those areas. On the outside where the joins are I would then apply Alkaline resistant adhesive mesh tape and a coat of thinset to protect the exposed styrene edges. Just my thoughts and thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Thanks Peter, I get the gist of what you are saying to do. I hadn't thought of doing it that way. Cheers Chris.
Hello Peter. Thanks a lot. I have a question about cement boards. would you mind to spell their names because I was not able to fund any of them. best. Irina.
Hi Irina. I am based here in Australia so the terminology may be a bit different. Here we can use Cement Sheet which in the USA may be known as cement board, Wedi Board is lightweight and there are others. I would probably create a post in the Facebook group called Mosaic Mentoring. There are a lot of people in that group that are in the USA and will be able to give you a wider choice of materials. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanks a lot
Besides pva glue and water could you seal with any type of sealer that would protect most substrates? Very informative video…thanks Peter! I’m still learning.
Thankyou so much What you use depends on the substrate and the job and what's available in your country, if you're not sure read the technical data sheets as these will contain the important information and what substrates they are suitable for , this is what I do for every product. The sheets are very easy to read and generally available from the manufactures website you can also give the companies a call. :)
Thanks very much Peter, great info.
Can I please ask, I have quite a bit of mirror tiles to use on a project outside, It’s a big concrete pad that a fire pit sits on.
What protective coating do you suggest to use on back please? And also do you have any experience with heat? The fire pit sits quite high on a stand and i would like to use a mixture of stained glass, mirror and crockery.. any advice please?? I’m in Melbourne too.
Thanks very much
Thankyou so much, I cant advise you as I have no experience with fire pits and heat, you would need to read the manufacturers stat sheets. I would look at Laticrete products which are not sold in Bunnings but specialized tiles stores, theres many around Melbourne and I would also give Laticrete Australia a call and speak to their tech department for advise and they will suggest the correct products. For the mirror tiles a neutral curing adhesive is advisable so the reflective backing isn't effected. :)
Treasury Road thank you for taking the time to reply! Cheers
Can you tell me where I can buy the weedy board please,, I live in NSW But do travel to Victoria at times
You can use Thermasheet which is very similar to Wedi board. Its available online from www.tradewarehouse.com.au or from their warehouses in NSW and Victoria. Smaller pieces online from www.merlinmosaica.com.au in the ACT. Also Mosaic Bazaar sells smaller pieces as well. :)
If you were to use a porcelain tile then when you adhere to the back, shouldn’t that also be sealed as I seem to think they are porous too !!??
I can’t comment specifically about your job but Porcelain tile has extremely low absorption unlike ceramic which can readily absorb moisture. If you are using a porcelain tile as a substrate and you are adhering the Tess to the back then you will be covering up that surface area anyway of course you will need to use suitable Tess for that environment as well. I would also consider using Litokol epoxy grout instead of normal sanded grout because its waterproof and more durable. Always read the technical data sheet on any product you are looking at using to make sure it’s suitable for your job. They are easy to read and generally available on the manufactures website. Thanks for watching. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad Cheerz for replying.
What type of glass protective coating? Would a varnish work? This was such a superbly informative video and I thank you for it! Very well done.
Thankyou so much JC. Why did you want to coat glass?
@@TreasuryRoad I’m so sorry…. I meant what type of protective sealant for the back of mirror squares? I will research this though because I probably won’t find the same product you use here in the states.
@@j.c.7555 For adhering mirror you need a neutral curing adhesive such as a silicone or a SMX polymer like Soudal Fix All Crystal Clear. Make sure the product states neutral cure so the reflective backing isn't effected. Also make sure if you are grouting with an ordinary sanded grout that it doesn't come in contact with the reflective backing either. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for all your information. Obviously I’m a newbie and you have taught me a ton. I’m watching all your videos and they are a huge help.
@@j.c.7555 Thanks heaps JC, we are always learning and never stop so in a way we are all newbies in one way or another. :)
Great video - thanks! Question; what about PVC pipe for a substrate? (I want to make a garden pole) Is this an appropriate outdoor substrate?
Thankyou very much Elea. I haven’t used PVC pipe as a garden substrate, some people have though. Some people give it a light sand over first and others just use silicone straight on it without sanding. How well any of this works and how much longevity the mosaic would have l have no idea. It would also depend on the environment that it’s in as well. 😊
I love your videos!! I am mosaicing my grandmother’s birdbath and I have been watching your videos to help me get everything together. It is a concrete birdbath so I want to seal it. What exactly do you recommend I use as a sealer? Thank so much!!
Thankyou very much, just make sure the birdbath is in very good condition, no cracks or problems with the concrete, give it a through clean and check it well. The sealer depends on whats available to you, you can use Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproof membrane, its not clear, in some cases if the birdbath was new and very smooth it would need roughing up a bit to give the Hydroban some tooth to adhere. Just use a concrete sealer that you have access to but before buying any product check out the manufacturers data sheets to ensure its suitable and it will also give you the limitations of the product. Have a look at a few and see which one suits best, dont use a spray sealant its best to use a commercial product not a craft product. :)
I've been looking for a concrete sealer that is safe for birds but I could'nt find any. Do you have recommendations?
Hi Peter, I have an old bath rain which is made of fiber glass. I want to mosaic it with some left over tiles from a Bathroom Reno work to make a Grotto . Please can you advise me on what grout and other materials will be the best to use for this project
Thanks
Vanessa
Hi Vanessa, I cant answer your question because there are so many variables I cannot see, such as condition, environment, tess, location, etc. I would suggest creating a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups such as Mosaic Mentoring, include photos and all other relevant information that I mentioned. The more information you give the better the advice will be. Thanks for commenting. :)
@@TreasuryRoad am from Sydney . So the weather is not too bad the Grotto would be sheltered
If I use thinset to attach my pieces to my concrete stepping stone then use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy grout, do I still need to seal the concrete stepping stone with a concrete sealer "before" I put my pieces down with thinset?
There are different opinions on sealing and everyone has their preference. Some people prefer to seal because it stops moisture from being absorbed into the substrate especially when dealing with freeze thaw conditions because water droplets can expand around 8% causing failures of your mosaic. Also the water may interfere with the adhesive or the moisture can be sucked out of the adhesive itself.
Other people prefer not to seal substrates because they believe that sealing creates a barrier where the adhesive doesn't actually adhere to the substrate, just to the sealant. So if the sealer fails so does your mosaic. If they are using a cement based adhesive they tend to wet the substrate down and then apply the tessera to the piece, this stops the moisture from being sucked out of the adhesive and if part of the substrate looks to be drying out they just wet it a bit more before going over it with tessera.
All these are fair comments, however penetrating sealers penetrate into the substrate just as the name suggests so it doesn't just sit on the top, unlike surface sealants. Also the type of adhesive needs to be taken into account, such as silicone or a cement based adhesive (thinset) etc.
I have spoken to Laticrete at length on this subject. There are many cement based adhesive manufactures which say do not use a sealant if you are using a cement based adhesive, the reason being is there are many sealants and waterproofing membranes on the market, they cannot guarantee their cement based adhesive will work with the sealant.
To be honest I think there are situations where sealing is required and their are situations where sealing probably isn't necessary and of course it depends on the adhesive you are using and the environment on where its going. Always read the technical data sheet on what ever product you are using or about to buy because this will have all the facts in it. I have created stepping stones where I have sealed the substrate and where I haven't and they are all fine to this day many years later. 🙂
Hi, I'm from the US and Northern Pennsylvania, I want to do an outside mosaic. What kind of grout would I use, or do you add something to the grout. I would take these in for the winter, but they will be in cool spring and fall conditions. and subject to rain.
Hi Deb, l can’t speak specifically about your job as like any job there are many variables than lm not familiar with, l would give Laticrete a call as they are based in the USA and l use their products all the time. They will be best to advise you.
What about GOG outside? I have a glass top table I want to do a mosaic in and grout.
You can do a GOG for outside but it comes down the environment it’s in and the table itself. What l would suggest is create a post in a couple of the Facebook mosaic groups with a photo of the table and where you are along with the environment it’s going to be in. A couple of good FB groups would be mosaic mentoring and mosaics Australia wide, l am in both of these they are awesome groups. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hello Peter. Thanks for sharing your indo. I've never done mosaic and I want to put a design on a wooded swing post ...will be forever in the putdoor elements .....what would you recommend . Thanks in advance
Thankyou very much Melissa. In this video I go through and explain some of the materials you can and cannot use unfortunately mosaicing onto wood outside is not a good substrate due to it interreacting with the environment that its in. I cant speak specifically about your job because I have no idea about its situation or conditions. Generally I would be inclined to mosaic onto something like a cement sheet or Wedi board and secure that to the post or secure it to the post and then mosaic it. There is still a risk of contraction and expansion in the wood but hopefully this method will reduce that stress on your mosaic. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanks. That helps alot. The posts are 6" x 6" treated. I'll think of something else....lol
Thank you for great information! 👍🏼
Thankyou so much appreciate that and thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Thanks for another excellent video; clear and concise information and very much appreciated! 😁🤗
Thankyou so much, appreciate that. :)
I have learned so much in this video, thank you so much! You explain explain everything so well, it's a pleasure to learn with you! 😃 I have a question: are you familiar with the CERATON unglazed mosaic tiles made of fine ceramic powder? Another manufacturer of a similar product is called WINKELMANS in France. If you know these, do you think that they could be used outside on the floor of an entryway? And should they be sealed after installation if the area gets wet with potential freeze in the winter? Thank you so much. Looking forward to more videos from you.
Thankyou very much, appreciate that. I have heard of Winklemans but have never used them. You would need to contact a reseller or the manufacture thry would be able to advise you on them. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much for replying so quickly 😘 FYI, I did get an answer yesterday to my inquiry from both Ceraton and Winkelmans (both seem to be identical with slight variations in the color range) and it turns out both products are waterproof, frost, acid, alkali and shock resistant. Sounds like the perfect option for an outdoor mosaic in my area of the world (Bavaria, Germany). Keep up the excellent work and thanks again for the useful content you produce.
@@sophieauert Thankyou so much and Thankyou for letting me know. I would also check to see if they are slip resistant or even better they have a slippage rating, which is important for a floor. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you so much, you really do think of everything! I did check that too and they are slip resistant. Also, their color does not deteriorates or fades over time and they are easy to cut. Seems like the best option to me. I also asked the manufacturer if a sealant needs to be applied after installation (because the tiles are not glazed), they say no. No need for any sealant at all. I will test all that on a small surface first before tackling the large porch area. Thanks again for your support.
@@SophiesTipps That’s awesome sounds like a plan and just test to see how they grout as well because they are not glazed. 😊
Is it necessary to seal a slate roof tile? Thank you!
It depends where you're using it and what you are doing with. When it comes to sealing some people do seal substrates and some people don't, there are mixed opinions on this. :)
you said to use a protective coat on the back of your mirrored pieces what kinds of protective coats do you use?
There are protective coatings that are available in the marketplace, you would need to Google it to see what's available in your country specifically for mirror. Some people use a clear nail polish and they say it works well, however I haven't done that so I don't know successful that is. I use a neutral curing adhesive that doesn't eat the reflective backing such as Soudal Crystal Clear Fix All, its like a silicone but it doesn't contain the solvents that silicones have and is neutral curing. :)
What type of adhesive can I use on wood, steel, iron, ciment, walls, and can I use porcelain that is colored from one side?
I cant comment on your project as there are so many variables and really very little information. You will probably need a combination of adhesives depending on the tess you're using, the environment its in. Generally speaking, using porcelain isn't an issue but again I cant comment specifically on your usage or job. :)
Thanks Peter, luv your videos! What can i use instead of thinset to seal marmox edges?
Thankyou very much. You would need to have a look for another adhesive and run a test, it also depends on the finished look you're after :)
I'd like to add mosaic to the sides of my wooden deck as a border. Any advice on how to do that? You had mentioned not to use wood. Is there something I can place over the wood and then add the mosaic over that second material?
Definitely dont mosaic over the wood I would look at using something like cement sheet or Wedi board and mosaic to that, there would be other products you can use but it depends on what's available where you are and also the environment on where it is regarding preparation as well. :)
I have got some sandstone flags that i would like to mosaic for outside, how do i get the surface flat? do i just use thin set? Many thanks
I have never used Sandstone flags to mosaic on, you would need to be careful because I believe they are porous and you don't want it sucking out the moisture. :)
How is Latacrete Hydroban used on outdoor mosaics? Paint it on?
Laticrete Hydroban is a waterproofing membrane generally its paint on, around 3 coats and it shouldn't be exposed to the sun after 30 days. So within that time it needs to be mosaiced or painted over. Always read the technical and safety data sheets they are very easy to read before purchasing or using as with any product. Thanks for watching and commenting. :)
Peter what do I use to seal the backs of tiny ceramic fired tiles before they r set in with thinset for outside all year. Ty
I cant comment specifically about your job as there are many variables that I cannot see. Why do you want to seal the backs of your ceramic pieces, assuming the substrate is waterproof and a suitable thinset with an additive will be waterproof, and using a waterproof grout such as an epoxy grout. The moisture wont be able to get to them. You can always use very high fired pieces that have been vitrified, porcelain that are waterproof. :)
Hola.. I am wanting to start my first outdoor mosaic wall. I live in Mexico in a small town where the walls can be very rough. Do you recommend that the wall be treated first with something? Does the existing paint need to be removed or cemented over before starting the mosaic? Thank you Kathie from Mexico 🐢
Hi Kathie, I cannot answer your question as there are many variables like in all jobs that I cannot see and I'm not familiar with the location of where it is or Mexico. I would suggest you create a post in one of the Facebook groups such as Mosaic Mentoring and hopefully someone that is familiar with your town or may even live close by who is a mosaic artist will be able to advise you. I also suggest taking photos, saying what the wall is made of, the condition of the wall, what tessera (the pieces you will be adhering onto the wall such as crockery, tiles, etc) and adhesive you will also be using. I do not adhere to paint because if that lets go your mosaic will fail, also if the paint is flaking it would need to come off. :)
Hello Peter, I also have enjoyed several of your videos and adore your lovely Aussie accent.
I am in northern Mn, USA and interested in doing an outdoor mosaic. Fairly large piece. A "sign" for my cabin. I have several large pieces of metal highway roadsigns that were left by previous owners and I was thinking that one of them would make a good substrate for an outdoor piece like this? I can't find any recommendations on how to approach this, or if it would work or not. Which side to use, do I seal it first. Recommendations of any kind. What would the best adhesive be? I had an artist friend draw me up the picture, I've collected various outdoor approved multimedia type tes, although I am sure I will need more. Also, sealing the piece?
The size of this project would be roughly 3x7ft. Holes already in the signs and the posts are here to put it up.
Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
Hi Nancy Thankyou so much. l can’t comment on you project as there are just so many variables such as type of metal, the environment, the Tess, etc. l would be inclined to create a post in Mosaic Mentoring on Facebook you may get other artists that are familiar with the area that could correctly advise or the other alternative is to see a local artist that has mosaic skills that would be able to advise if if it costs you a few dollars as it will be more cost effective than creating it and your mosaic fails. 😀
I have a question I hope you can answer. I used white cement as grout for three small terracotta pots with mosaic on them!
I did not clean the xtra cement off so it has hardened all over the mosaic tiles and it’s taking me an age to scrape it off!!!!!! Biiiig mistake!!!!
I don’t know what I was thinking!!!!
Any solution to this problem?
H e lllllppppp!
When you say you used white cement, l take it you mean a white cement based adhesive? How much you left on is the question of how difficult it will be to remove. I will assume it’s not caked on but more of a residue or coating l would be inclined to wrap a wet rag around the pot to allow the cement to absorb the moisture and then have a go at cleaning a bit at a time. This should make it easier but l am guessing because l don’t know the product you have used, the amount of cement and the time it’s been left on etc. You could create a post in a couple of the Facebook groups such as Mosaic Mentoring or Mosaics Australia Wide and post photos, name the product you used to give a better idea and someone may have another suggestion. 😊
What would u seal cement sheet please Peter?
I have used Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane. There are many different ones on the market, you can use a penetrating sealant thats suitable for porous materials. Just have a read on the packaging to make sure its suitable for what you are wanting to do. Thanks for commenting. :)
Hi Peter - what adhesive do you recommend for attaching glass to metal - liquid nails epoxy has been recommended - what would you suggest?
I can’t answer specifically about your job as there are many variables l cannot see and l don’t know the metal you’ve used. I also haven’t had much to do with metals. If you’re on Facebook check out Aureleo Rosano as he is a mosaic artist that goes in depth on adhesives and different metals. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad thank you . I'll check out Aureleo Rosano.
Where's are some good places to sell one's work at online *(aside from Etsy) ? I've made some very nice pieces of mosaic art recently & working on a lot more.
Selling ones art is not as simple as just posting or going to a show, you need to know the market your selling to and the customers that your art is aimed at, no matter where you sell your art being Facebook, a dedicated website, market, in a shop on commission, gallery or on ETSY which I don't think is near as good as it used to be, all these require promoting and working to achieve sales but like I said just adding it to these places is only part of the equation and will only get you part way. The saying if you "build they will come" just doesn't work to create sales its a combination of so many things much more than what I've just mentioned or could ever mention in a couple of paragraphs. :)
Thanks again Peter, where do you find tile reject places please?
Thankyou and my pleasure. It depends on the country you're in as to what they call them, but you can get rejects from tile specialist stores, also recycle places where they are donated to from people that have an over supply or a left over renovation stock. :)
Treasury Road thanks very much. I’m in Mt Eliza.. I guess I’ll wait till we’re out of lockdown ;)
I’ll try the tip shop!
Cheers
You can go to the recycle tip shop in Mornington, I have bought a few things there. :)
Treasury Road thank you Peter, can’t wait till we can get out of lockdown!
Thank you much appreciated Pete - Godbless
My pleasure Ebony and thanks for watching.
I am in Southern Arizona. I am wondering about tiling over 2 different types of substrates. One would be wood pillars on my porch. The other would be the stucco wall on the outside of my house. What would you recommend to prepare those surfaces. And can I use broken pottery. We are a very dry climate and there hardly ever is a freeze thaw. Occasionally we do have freezing temperatures in the winter but it's few and far in-between
I cant answer your question specifically as there are so many variables and Im not familiar with your area, stucco or timber. Crockery isn't really meant to be outside so if you do get any freeze thawing then water droplets that get into the crockery expand around 8% causing fractures and failure of your piece. The other thing is the wood on your porch will also interreact with the environment its in which can also cause problems in your mosaic. Your mosaic will only be as good as the substrates you put it onto and the materials you use. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thanks
@@KMF3 My pleasure. :)
I will have to give you a tutorial on how to repair pots before mosaicing! 🤓
LOL Thankyou thats easy just buy a new pot, but that was such a cue tiny pot. lol
What do you seal your concrete stepping stone with prior to working on it?
I just use a penetrating concrete sealer, just Google and see what's available in your country. Have a read of the video description above as well that gives about more info regarding sealing, some people choose not to. Thanks for watching. :)
What acrylic adhesive do i add to mortar to apply tales to a cement paver for outside
Im not sure what you mean?
Great info! Thank you
My pleasure, thankyou. :)
can you add color to the grout?
You can change the colour of grout and thinset with coloured oxides or a good artists pigment. There are ratios to go by so its best to have a talk to your mosaic grout retailer that sells the colourants. Thanks for watching. :)
Thanks Peter good information ....ta
Thankyou very much Jackie and thankyou for watching. :)
Hi, hope you can help me. I made an outside table with tile and the tile seems scratched after I added the sanded grout. What product can I add to make the tile shiny again and to seal? I am so sad that after this hard work the tile looks scratched. Help me please!!
Hi Maria, If the tile was a normal glazed tile the sanded grout shouldn't have scratched it nor should they require sealing, however there are a huge range of tiles out there so I cant answer directly for your job as I dont know the tiles or how you grouted them. I would have thought they may have been scratched before grouting and the grout bought the scratches out. Some people use toothpaste to clean tiles that are scratched then a car wax to seal, I am only generalizing on this and not saying this will work for your table so proceed with caution, you will also need to be careful not to discolour the grout. :)
Hi Peter, I am continuing my questions on sealant that i just posted on your video on adhering mesh to pavers. If you are using the option of wetting down the area instead of sealing how and when do you do that? And then do you do some kind of top coat or varnish on the final project? Thx
Some artists apply a sealant to porous substrates such as terracotta and concrete before mosaicking onto and others prefer not to as they want the adhesive to bond directly to the substrate it really is a personal choice and also dependent on the environment its in. If you are creating a terracotta mosaic pot or a concrete paver and you are using thinset as the adhesive then the substrate can be moistened down prior to adhering the tess, this stops the terracotta from sucking out the moisture from the adhesive. Heres a video on it. ua-cam.com/video/UDgGXWbOGH8/v-deo.html Generally a grout sealant is applied after the project is finished and the grout has cured but some grouts do not require a sealant, if you are using normal sanded grout then a grout sealer is applied to protect the grout, the tess generally doesn't require a sealant over it if you are are using stained glass, vitreous tiles, crockery glazed tiles etc.
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you Peter. I am working on an outside house sign for my sister for Christmas. Cheers, csd
@@carladensmore5281 Awesome, thanks for watching. :)
Hi peter what grout do you recommend for an outdoor mosaic going on a metal table? The table top has a lip so the grout can easily be contained on the top but i dont know what grout to use on this?
I cant speak specifically advise you about your job as there are always variables that I cannot see. For my outdoor projects I generally use Laticrete Spectralock Pro Epoxy grout or Laticrete Permacolour grout but for outside my preference is the Spectralock, it has mold and mildew inhibitors in, is a three part system and is smoother than ordinary sanded grout and is more durable but it is a three part system and more expensive. Before buying any product read the manufacturers technical data sheets and the MSDS they are easy to read and available on the manufacturers website that way you will have all the necessary information to see if they are suitable for your job. You can always give Laticrete a call as well and speak to their technical department. :)
Oh sorry forgot to say I intend to use thinset, will this attack the mirror backing if I use it without protecting it? Cheers and thank you very much
For mirror a neutral curing adhesive is advisable so the reflective backing isn't effected. :)
Treasury Road thank you, do you have any recommendation please?
@@lezzu2 I have been using Soudal Fix All in clear as it doesn't contain solvents like many silicones (not sold at Bunnings) but you can use a neutral curing silicone. Some people coat the mirror backing with a specific mirror protectant and then you can pretty well use any adhesive however I haven't done that. As always ready the manufactures data and safety sheets before purchasing any products to ensure its going to be compatible with what you are doing and also the necessary safety requirements you may need to take. :)
Treasury Road ok great!
Thank you very much.
@@TreasuryRoad I am working on a mural and want to add mirrors for the children to see their faces in, I have been using Soudal for mirror work but would like to seal the backs of the mirrors I have so I can use cement adhesive with the rest of the mosaic. What is the product in Australia, to use for spraying on the back of mirror please? I am getting mixed suggestions in searches. TIA x
Hi
Is it possible to contact you regarding the extra precautions necessary for FNQ tropics and outdoor mosaic to be directly adhered to concrete drainage system please...l am struggling to find enough information from material listings for this specific application. Or am l being unrealistic in attempting this?
Hi Sue, I don't give advise on specific personal projects especially ones like this. Its is very important that you receive the correct information. There are just so many variables that I cannot see nor am I familiar with the environment. I would consult with a professional mosaic artist even if it means paying for the persons guidance, someone familiar with your area. You may even need to consult other professionals such as an engineer if its on a concrete drainage system. I would also consult a professional manufacture such as Laticrete when you are familiar with the logistics and speak to their tech department on the adhesives, prep and grout. I cannot advise you if you are being unrealistic on taking on this job because I do know know your expertise and confidence level. If you are armed with the correct information and well prepared that would be a great start. :)
@@TreasuryRoad thank you for your reply, it is much appreciated. I will and have been seeking advice from professionals re excavation, engineer etc on the overall system, which is predominantly rocks but with concrete bag, with reinforcements to create swaddles and prevent erosion.
Thank you for your advice and l had better do some more researching 🤗 for information
🌞👍
I am doing an outside piece. The tile is going on fiberglass. What is the best adhesive? Thank you.
I haven't adhered anything to fiberglass so Im not the best person to help you regarding adhesive or preparation. I do believe some people give it a light sand and use Dunlop Tile All but you would need to research that a bit more. As always no matter what product you are looking at buying read the manufacturers data sheets to ensure its suitable for the substrate, the tess and the environment its going into. :)
Treasury Road
Thank you for your reply.
Can you mosaic on cast iron? Thank you!
I haven’t but l think the rusting would be an issue even if you were to try and prevent it from happening l think it would still do it. 😊
Why does the glue have to be different from the grout?
I’m not sure what you mean in the context that you are referring to.
Like for glass on glass or glass on wood
Like for glass on glass or glass on wood
It all comes down to the glue, some glues will work on wood, GOG and other substrates. Each glue has their pros and cons and its choosing the best glue for a particular job. Weldbond can be used for wood, GOG and many other substrates however when it comes in contact with moisture it reverts back to its original state, its just a PVA, so its not suitable for certain projects. MAC glue was made specifically for GOG by an artist it has a thinner consistency that some people dont like but I consider it the best GOG adhesive and for general usage, it can also be used on other substrates. There are always going to be glues that some people like and dislike for one reason or another, if you can use the same glue for a few different projects, then thats fine. :)
What is a free store area?
Im not sure what you mean.
Is Multi Prep nutural curing?
I have been informed by Prep that Prep MultiUse Adhesive is neutral curing. :)
Thank you 🙏
My pleasure Jeannie and thankyou for watching. :)
@@TreasuryRoad 🙏
If I have a photo for a cat 🐈 how to make it as mosaic
My video on enlarging and transferring designs may help you here's the link. :)
ua-cam.com/video/6reavUV4nyI/v-deo.html
And now you can also use Pal Tiya Premium 😍
You are so right. Pal Tiya is a great product, l have a video coming out about it soon. 😊
@@TreasuryRoad That's fabulous Peter. Thanks for sharing the love
Thank you
My pleasure, thankyou for watching. :)
What sealer do you use please
It really depends on the substrate and what environment its going into. :)
@@TreasuryRoad I'm using an old concrete laundry tub.
@@fionatasmania5386 l can’t comment specifically about you job as there are variables like any job that l cannot see. However for me if the condition on the concrete tub is very good and clean, l would consider Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane and Laticrete thinset as the adhesive depending on your Tess. Some people don’t seal concrete substrates if they are using thinset (cement based adhesive). They wet the surface down so as the concrete doesn’t suck the moisture out of the thinset. Before using any product always read the manufacturers technical data sheets before buying, they are easy to read and generally available on the manufactures website. There are other sealants and waterproofing membranes on the market to look at as well, there is always more than one way to do a job and you can always create a post in one of the FB groups for other peoples opinions as well. :)
How do you seal concrete ?
There are different sealers on the market and waterproofing membranes so its wise to follow the directions on whichever one you buy. Generally the same or a similar way as I showed in the video on sealing a terracotta pot. :)
@@TreasuryRoad do you have a favorite sealant?
@@yvonneschimmel453 Depending on the project I am doing, I always read the technical dat sheet and the MSDS of any product that Im looking at buying and use the best one for the job, they are so easy to read but are gold. I use Laticrete Hydroban which is a waterproofing membrane or pretty well any impregnating concrete sealant and of course what's accessible and available in your country. :)
@@TreasuryRoad Thank you for taking your time to reply. Is much appreciated.
@@yvonneschimmel453 My pleasure Yvonne, thankyou for watching my videos. :)
Thank you!
My pleasure and thankyou for watching. :)