I recently bought a house that has a true 1970’s kitchen. Avocado Green linoleum countertops (and appliances, but that’s another story) and same for the backsplash which extends from the countertop up under the upper cabinets. The backsplash appears to have been attached to the wallboard with some type of adhesive.
Need a quick fix for a couple of years till a major kitchen re-do is feasible – too many other more important projects to do first. I have a supply of ceramic tile, enough to do the countertop and backsplash, that are expendable and free. The upper cabinets are built in place custom jobs in VG physical shape. I can’t pull them down to get to the top edge of the backsplash. The countertop is solid with 2 sheets of 3/4″ plywood.
I know I can successfully apply ceramic tile to a solid countertop after a solid sanding to get rid of the gloss.
What I don’t know is whether that holds true for the backsplash as well. It seems solid, but there’s no real way of knowing for sure. There’s no place to grab onto the edge of the backsplash and give it a tug. And there’s no way of getting it off the wall without destroying the wallboard behind it.
Any ideas? Thanks.
John
Replies
Epoxy will work for a temporary job. Sand the surface rough, like 40 grit. Get a half gallon of epoxy at a boat store. West system or something similar. Get glass fiber thickener which you mix with the epoxy. Makes it like butter and will not drip. Has very high strength when cured. It should not matter if the substrate is a little flexible. A thick layer of this stuff is very rigid. I'd use a notched trowel on horizontal surfaces and build up maybe 1/4 to 1/2 on the verticals. You could also lay glass fiber mat in it to make it yet stronger. The epoxy is not cheap. Plan on $100 a gallon. Set the tile in the wet epoxy and grout as usual. Slow setting hardener gives you an hour or more working time. Wear gloves and a mask. It doesn't smell good and is extremely and permanently harmful if you get it in your eyes. Plan on throwing away all tools and containers it comes in contact with.
I've not tried it, but I also expect Bondo would work. Its polyester resin with talc filler. Not as strong, but cheap and easy to get at auto parts stores. Also does a fantastic job as a non-shrinking wood filler.
There are adhesives for ceramic to linoleum/vinyl. Just use that, this is a temp job for you after all & I'm sure when you go to tear it out you'll be surprised how tight it all is.
I think using expensive epoxies is & such is way over kill & extremely messy.
Good Luck
PJE