Tiling on cement render with acriylic primer

[tom2011]

Hello

I've had some conflicting advice about tiling, hoping someone can help...

I have a patch of what I think it is cement/sand render (its a kind of grey/brown colour sandly/gritty render that was under a skim of plaster). In one forum post someone recommended using an acrylic primer before tiling and never using PVA.

I bought some Flag acrylic water based primer for this job, and some tiling adhesive. However the tiling adhesive says to use pva on any porous surfaces, so i'm a bit confused what to use. Should I use diluted pva, or my Flag acrylic primer?

This is for kitchen wall tiles 15x15cm so not big/heavy.

Any advice appreciated please

 

[lancenotalot]

use the acrylic primer

 

[Richard C]

As lance, use an acrylic primer; never, ever use standard PVA or any water soluable primer on a tile base.

 

[tom2011]

Thanks for the replies guys

The primer I have says acrylic water based primer, is that ok?

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Acrylic+Water+Based+Primer/p31900

 

[Richard C]

Thats a primer for oil & water based paints, it’s not a tile primer; you need an acrylic tile primer.
http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/products/primer or similar

You say your tile adhesive say to prime with PVA, what is it? If it’s the brand I know of that advises that, I would take it back for a refund & buy a decent trade adhesive that will actually work!
http://www.bal-adhesives.co.uk/products/grip or similar

Cheap own brand & DIY products are mostly crap.

 

[tom2011]

Thanks Richard,

The adhesive is EverBuild 701 Super Plus non-slip tile adhesive. Says its good for kitchens.

I get most of my DIY stuff from Tool Station - mainly because of simplicity (there is one just down the road from me in Bristol) but also because my wife has our first baby due in a couple of months and I have a lot of work to do on our new house to get it ready in time, so I dont have a lot of spare time to go to specialist suppliers, and also money is a little tight.

But, I would rather do it right first time so it doesn't all come undone in a few months time...! I#ll take the primer back, I haven't used it yet, and get some of the acrylic tile adhesive you suggest.

Thanks

 

[Richard C]

Not the one I was thinking of & haven’t tried it but I’d be dubious about using an adhesive manufacturer that recommends PVA as a tile primer.

Personally I’d stick with the likes of BAL, Ardex, Granfix, Mapei (but not the one sold in BNQ). Steer well clear of all in one fix & grout products.