With this method the concrete wall is prepared by applying a dash or spritz coat that usually consists of a 1:1 or 1:2 mixture of Portland cement:coarse (0.5-1.5 mm) sand. This mortar is mixed a wet slurry consistency and splattered, sprayed or dashed against the clean, smooth concrete. Once cured it produces a rough textured surface, similar to very coarse sandpaper, that provides mechanical anchoring for the “butter ball” application. The “butter ball” is a mortar ball or mass as thick as 1 inch (2.5 cm) that is troweled on the back of each piece of ceramic tile or stone before it is pressed onto the wall. The “butter ball” or “buttering” mortar typically consists of 1:3 Portland cement:sand with some lime or merely 1:3 Portland cement:sand. Absorbent wall tile (fiance) require soaking in water until saturation when using the “butter ball” method. Pre-soaking is not needed for porcelain or vitrified tile.

Tiles are placed adjacent to each other and tapped into position to provide a plumb and true surface. The skill of the worker will be reflected in how plumb and true the wall is when finished. This technique is also commonly used in residential tile work over interior brick walls requiring 3/4 -1" (1.9-2.5 cm) of mortar to make them true or plumb.

LATICRETE 4237 “BUTTER BALL” MORTAR:

LATICRETE 4237 Latex Thin-Set Mortar Additive is used to gauge a 1:2 Portland cement:sand (medium-coarse gradation; 0.6 -1.5 mm) mortar to a plastic consistency. Apply the mortar up to 1" (2.5 cm) thick as a “butter ball” or for buttering the back of tiles. Just before to placing the buttered tile, the mortar is troweled onto a clean concrete or masonry wall and worked into the surface to provide a wet bond coat.

NOTE: NO DASH OR SPRITZ COAT IS REQUIRED WITH LATICRETE 4237 “BUTTER BALL” MORTAR.

LATICRETE DASH COAT FOR TRADITIONAL MORTARS:

LATICRETE 3701 Mortar Admix is used to gauge a 1:2 Portland cement:sand (medium-coarse gradation; 0.6 -1.5 mm) mortar to a soft slurry consistency that is brushed, dashed or sprayed over clean concrete or masonry walls and allowed to dry overnight.

The traditional “butter ball” mortar or other cementitious coating can be applied over this bond coat in the normal manner.

LATICRETE RIBBED bond coat for smooth concrete:

LATICRETE 4237 Latex Thin-Set Mortar Additive is used to gauge a 1:2 Portland cement:sand (medium gradation; 0.1 – 0.8 mm) mortar to a trowelable consistency.

The mortar is applied to smooth concrete walls with a 1/8" (3 mm) V-notched or 1/8 x 1/8" (3 x 3 mm) square notched trowel, combed horizontally and worked into good contact with the surface. The mortar ribs are left standing and allowed to harden overnight to provide mechanical key for stucco, plaster, render or “butter ball” mortar.

The ribbed LATICRETE Latex Bond Coat has over 20 years history in the U.K. for attaching mortars to smooth (“fair faced”) and steel formed (“shuttered”) concrete.

Technical Data Sheets are subject to change without notice. For latest revision, check our website @ TDS 124.doc R3 January 2005

LATICRETE, LATAPOXY and the logo are Registered Trademarks of LATICRETE International, Inc.

1

Pg.

Data Sheets are subject to change without notice. For latest revision, check our website.