DIY Network

Tips on Working with Glass Tiles and Sanding Solid Surface Material (Web Extra) From "Freeform Furniture" episode DFFF-103

Host Amy Devers provides the following tips on working with glass tiles and sanding solid surfaces.

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Amy utilized many of these tips to create these beautiful glass tile stools and patio furniture.

Working with Glass Tiles

• Glass tiles can be used as an accent, or for larger projects including counters, shower ceilings, pools, floors and walls. The handmade glass mosaic tiles on Freeform Furniture are made of cast, translucent glass with an iridescent finish. Each mosaic tile is 13/16" square and 15/16" thick.

  
  

• When working with glass tiles, it is important that all materials used (tile, mortar, grout) are kept at a consistent temperature (above 60 degrees F) during installation.

  
  

• Avoid using an epoxy or mastic. Instead, use a white thin-set mortar because it will reflect the greatest amount of light and will make the glass tiles look brighter.

  
  

• Use a trowel to apply the mortar to the surface where the glass tiles will be applied. Work in small areas at a time. Use the flat side first to apply a thin coat. Then hold the trowel at a 45-degree angle and comb on additional mortar in one direction. Next, smooth out the trowel ridges using the flat edge of the tool. Otherwise, the trowel ridges will show through the transparent tile.

  
  

• Press each sheet of glass tile into the mortar bed with the paper side facing out. Line up the grout joints from one sheet to another. The space between sheets should be 1/16". Use a wooden beating block (2" x 4" x 12") and a rubber hammer to carefully tap the glass tile sheets into place. Overlap the beating block over the edges of the tile sheet.

  
  

• After about 20 minutes, spray the paper of the tile sheets with warm water. After about five minutes (when the paper is saturated and dark) it is ready to be removed from the tiles. Slowly, pull downward from the corner at an angle.

  
  

• Allow the mortar to dry for 72 hours.

  
  

• Clean the surface with warm water and a sponge before grouting. Use standard sanded grout. Install the grout according to the manufacturer's label. Because the tiles on Freeform Furniture are transparent, all grout joints must be packed using a hard rubber grout float. Work diagonally across the grout lines removing any residue. Use a slightly damp grout sponge. Rinse the sponge often.

  
  

• Seal the grout with a grout sealer. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and wipe of any excess from the tile.

  
  

• Glass tiles should be cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner, applied with a standard pad or sponge.

The proper sanding technique is vital if you want your project to be perfect.

Sanding Solid Surface Material

• Solid surface material is waterproof, non-porous, and heat resistant. It is strong and very easy to maintain. Simple sanding can be used to eliminate scratches, cuts and burns in the surface. Working with solid surface material is a lot like working with wood. Solid surface is harder than wood because it is made of acrylic resin.

• When sanding solid surface material, use sandpaper or an abrasive pad. A sanding block also works well to sand the surface. Varying grits of sandpaper will be required depending on the type of finish desired for the solid surface material. Course sandpapers have small numbers like 40 or 60 and fine sandpapers have large numbers like 180, 200, 240 or 320. Sanding solid surface material often requires a progression of grits to be used for the surface. This progression will be specific for each brand of material used, but start with a lower number paper and then move to a higher number. A 320-grit was used to sand the edge of the solid surface material for the patio furniture on Freeform Furniture.

• Typically sandpaper products are made from four different types of abrasive particles including aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, red garnet, and ceramic grit. Each kind is available in different particle sizes or grits. It is important that the type of sandpaper used matches the job being done.

• For sanding solid surface material, choose aluminum oxide or silicon carbide sandpaper. Aluminum oxide sandpapers are the most common type of sandpaper. These work very well on wood surfaces. Silicon carbide is an excellent abrasive for metal, plastics, fiberglass, and other synthetic materials.

RESOURCES :

Woodcraft
Website: www.woodcraft.com