Mapei Adhesives

[TimTheTiler]

Looking at changing supplier for materials, these guys only have Mapei and Atlas glues, I am a Bostik ASA & Davco user traditionally and dont know much about these Mapei glues. ..I know they have a great reputation and I know a lot of you other tilers on here swear by them, what I am looking for is someone to tell me which bags they use and why? and what purpose for each bag type. When I was talking to the 'know it all' rep guy today, (who has never tiled in his life) he was unable to tell me what I need...didn't even know what class 1 and class 2 were... Cheers in advance.

If anyone knows ASA bags, which Mapei is the equivalent of: Maxiflex & Conflex respectively and Davco Ultraflex..cheers again

[Glen]

Hey Tim I can't compare to ASA but I mainly use Keraflex which comes in grey and white for floors and walls. Awesome glue with really good open time. I know the equivalent to Davco Ultraflex would be Adeflex R. Have you had a look on their website MAPEI it's got all the data sheets for all the glues.

[TimTheTiler]

Thanks Glen, I have bought the Keraflex today, first one to try, I saw the Adeflex and the rep did say that it was equivalent to Ultraflex, so consensus there. Cheers for the Datasheet link, I know I can look them up, but wanted a persons view who uses it in laymans terms. As we know all the datasheets say all glues are good for everything it seems.. I think this Keraflex is a C2, it says that on the bag. With the Kerabond, it says C2 I think, but does it 'have' to be mixed with isolastic to be a C2? or does the isolastic additive make it go from C1 o C2?

[Glen]

I can't recall the classes off the top of my head but the Kerabond is just a basic cement based glue which by itself would be a lesser glue than the Keraflex, but if you do mix it with the Isolastic it's more flexible than the Keraflex. The kerabond/Iso mix would be the most flexible glue Mapei has and I would normally use it on large format tiles(600x600 and above) And just Keraflex for everything else bar big main floors of ceramics which is where I would use the Adeflex R. There are a few other glues that are good for walls like Tixobond and P9 but it's just easier for me to use less types of glues- otherwise I end up with half bags of everything in my garage.

[Glen]

Also not sure if you do many mosaics but if you do they have Keracrete. It is a liquid you just mix in with the grout that turns it to a glue. Great stuff

[TimTheTiler]

Yes, this Keracrete/Grout thing came up recently, have never done mosaics this way but will be next time

[TimTheTiler]

Ok so the kerabond / Isolastic Mix, is what I am gonna try on this next job, been having trouble getting Conflex where I live.....Gonna stick to ASA Maxiflex for all the basic ceramic floor stuff, because I 'can' get that here... Plus the rep tells me Kerabond is not rubber modified. He says its good for heavy stuff like stackstone. I have been using Conflex on stackstone and never had a problem, but will try this Kerabond / Iso mix next time.

[FrankM]

I only use Latapoxy 310 for stacked stone. I've seen way too many failures using cement based adhesives.

Which rep have you been talking to? Guessing it wasn't the Mapei rep. Hope so anyway......
Seems Maxiflex is virtually the same as Mapei Adeflex R, comes down to price and which is easier to get and use.

Kerabond and Isolastic is for high end commercial work, for example, Brisbane Airport was tiled using that system. There is no problem using it in domestic work, such as pools and pool surrounds, but be aware that it is likely to cost you in the order of $12.00/m2. (Btw Kerabond Plus doesn't have to be mixed with Isolastic to be C@)

Lastly, modifying an adhesive with rubber doesn't actually make it better or flexible, it just makes it go further.

[Glen]

So you're saying there is a problem using Kerabond/Iso mix for stacked stone? If so why?

[TimTheTiler]

I only use Latapoxy 310 for stacked stone. I've seen way too many failures using cement based adhesives.

Which rep have you been talking to? Guessing it wasn't the Mapei rep. Hope so anyway......
Seems Maxiflex is virtually the same as Mapei Adeflex R, comes down to price and which is easier to get and use.

Kerabond and Isolastic is for high end commercial work, for example, Brisbane Airport was tiled using that system. There is no problem using it in domestic work, such as pools and pool surrounds, but be aware that it is likely to cost you in the order of $12.00/m2. (Btw Kerabond Plus doesn't have to be mixed with Isolastic to be C@)

Lastly, modifying an adhesive with rubber doesn't actually make it better or flexible, it just makes it go further.

Can of worms there Frank, sounds like you know a lot about adhesives.. More than me.

Kerabond/Isolsatic, together are actually costing me the same as ASA Conflex, from my supplier anyway...and thats not even buying the Iso in bulk. however, maybe the Conflex goes further? Havent really tested this.

Hope you weren't knocking Maxiflex.. Love that glue, will use it till the cows come home.

Latapoxy 310, looked it up, it looks right for stack stone, cant disagree with you there, just dont know where to get it in Geelong. Is this expensive?

And with the additive of rubber, your saying that this is not for flexibility?? Only to make it go further? I would guess that the rubber contents would have been more expensive than the cement/sand side??? Can you back that up?? Not being rude, just now you have got me thinking..I would like to know the answer...coz I am forever trying to solve the puzzle of adhesives, and which one is best for a situation.. My bro is a Project Manager Engineer, works in Chems in China... I'll run this past him too.