I want to tile over an installed American Standard Americast composite shower pan that structurally is in good shape. Good idea? Any words of wisdom? Any reason I shouldn’t use thinset mortar in usual fashion? Thanks.
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I'm not familiar with the specific unit you're dealing with, but as a general rule where adhesion to the substrate is questionable: Scuff the surface of the composite with 36-grit; paint the whole thing with Weldbond thinned 1:1 with water or with Gelcrete concrete bonding agent; and use small tiles--nothing larger than 2x2 preferably. Since we don't know how much flex is in that composite unit, the use of small tiles will help prevent tile cracking (it's easier to re-grout than to re-tile...).
It'd be good if Boris Yeltsin would stop by this thread. He'd probably have more specific advice for you.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
many thanks; your advice makes a lot of sense
How are you going to deal with the increased floor thicknes at the drain?
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!" Then get busy and find out how to do it. T. Roosevelt
Thanks. I'll make that work somehow.
They sell drain extension kits at DalTile, so you're OK on that score.
But I would not tile over a Receptor (thats the type of shower pan you have, thats what they call it, a Receptor), because the thinset may not stick to it.
I see no harm in trying. Clean the c r a p out of it, rough it up with some 80 grit sandpaper, and try sticking some tiles on it for s h i t s and grins. Let it cure for 3 days without getting wet. Then try to pry it off. If it comes off easy, well then you are screwed. If not, you are good to go. Use a modified thinset.
Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934
You da man!
BTW, how do you feel about the use of Gelcrete or a thinned Weldbond wash to help the thinset stick? I got that trick from Pittsburgh Corning for use in setting glass block on top of glazed tile.
Dinosaur
'Y-a-tu de la justice dans ce maudit monde?
For glass, I contact the manufacturer of the glass tile and they usually have a recommended product for which they will warranty.Regards,
Boris
"Sir, I may be drunk, but you're crazy, and I'll be sober tomorrow" -- WC Fields, "Its a Gift" 1934