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Trash To Treasure

Recycling old mosaic tile bench top

19 years ago

We recently moved and my DH cleaned out my shed for me and a mosaic bench top flipped over and some of the tiles fell out. I used good adhesive for the tiles too. But I forgot to seal the grout before I put it outside. Do you think I could put the missing tiles back on the bench top again after I chipped away all the old grout, regrouted and sealed it this time??? Or should choose another piece of wood and start from scratch?? Thanks for any ideas.

Sheree

Comments (3)

Carol_from_ny
19 years ago
I don't see why not. If you don't try you won't know. And you'd trash it if it didn't try it so go for it. Just make sure you grout it and seal it this time.
Pattiwatti
19 years ago
Hi Sheree, My thought was did you prep the bench before applying the tiles? You should scuff up the wood with sandpaper to allow good adhesion for the glue versus glueing on the tiles to a shiny or slick surface. Did the bench have any wax or such on the wood? Next time, scuff up the wood really good and apply then a coat of primer,like Kilz or BIN,they are white shellac pigmented primers. This will then seal the wood against moisture. Then apply glue and tiles. You should not have the problem again. Good Luck.
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just a follow up... the mortar bed was successfully removed. Turned out the easiest method was to ignore the tile top, other that to chip a few away to gain a visual of the wire sticking out at the edges. I found if I hammered at the tile top certain areas would come apart easily, these being the places where the wire mesh was connected. These areas were smooth metal, not mesh, so the mortar came away easily there. At these spots the mesh was nailed onto the wood board beneath. If I aimed my chisel between the wire mesh and the mortar it was relatively easy to separate it in sections. Once the nails were pulled out it was much easier to remove. Once it was all cleared away, all that was left was the wood board. The installer decided to use that board, since it was nice wood and provided a better surface with which to lay the new counter top onto than the "pieces" the counter company provided. Worked out great and the labor it took was worth the savings to us, as we got a price break for saving the installer time. sorry, snoon....can't make anything out of your comment, though definitely not helpful.
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Hey Cindy, your bench turned out just gorgeous. Gads, you're good at this cement stuff! I read your responses to my questions (thank you!!) before I moved on with my balls, but then never made it back to the forum. I had one of those D'oh! moments when I read your idea about filling with styrofoam. Of course! I used your idea, then coated the top of each half with my mortar, then smooshed the halves together. It worked great, so thank you! Now a couple more questions: are you messing around with that one guy's "My Mud" recipe (from the Hypertufa forum)? I'm asking, because the metakaolin and silica fume sounds really familiar, but it's been a long long time since I read about it. I don't really know what they do, though-- add strength or are they for surface finish texture? The fibers are something I've been looking to find, but haven't had any luck yet. Seems to me they are the perfect way to go for some of these projects. Thanks Cindy! Nancy
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Pattiwatti
19 years ago
A couple other things I forgot to mention.
I see by your post the bench is outside. Wood expands and contracts when wet,humidity, etc. so most likely why also your tiles popped off too. I would glue back on the pieces, grout and all, then re-grout and bring the bench inside as a peice of furniture. Start from scratch on another one to go outside. When putting a wood substrate outside, you need to keep it out of the elements really if even sealed properly if you want to keep it for decades. Not any where where wet can hit it. Grout sealer does repel water,oils and stains, but not considered waterproof and will definately not protect the wood underneath if not primed first. Pieces I have outside, I seal every 6 months regardless. I mosaiced a wood chair for my kitchen. go to'
http://photos.yahoo.com/pattiwatti43
I think its under "mosaics"
Another fantastic group is mosaicartists.org under yahoo groups. a wealth of info and you can really self teach yourself with their info as I did.
have fun.good luck
Patti

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