Preparing wall behind sink for a splashback

[hilti68]

Hello all,

I am doing a small job for a friend who wants mozaic tiles to the rear of her sink.

Not a big job, only 5 ft long by 16" tall, to underside of units. Her choice of tile is mozaic marble, supplied on a net backing.

The wall is emulsioned over plaster, paint in very good condition.

How best should I prep the area to be tiled ?

Rub with coarse abrasive paper ? Score with stanley knife in criss-cross pattern ?

Any advice would be very greatly appreciated.

Many thanks & kind regards

Tony

 

[gcol]

For such a small area, rub all the emulsion off. Then follow the directions on the adhesive.

 

[jefoss]

get rid of the emulsion fella, use a wallpaper stripper, wont take long. be worth it in the end.

 

[hilti68]

Thanks very much guys.

Hadn't thought of wallpaper stripper, but had bought a fine surform earlier in case that was the way forward.

Thank you kindly for your replies. Much appreciated.

 

[joe-90]

If it were me I'd do the duck tape test. Stick a length on the and pull it off like you would a bikini line. If no paint comes off I'd tile over it. If paint comes off I'd use that method to get the rest off. If you go sanding or surforming the walls you'll take the top layer of plaster off and leave the surface all 'fluffy', which is a poor surface to tile onto.
It's probably kitchen and bathroom paint anyway which is pretty tough stuff.