| The Double Direct Method on Mesh is an advanced | | | | cover the plastic wrap with fiberglass mesh. Make |
| technique of laying mosaic tiles. It allows the artist | | | | sure that all of this is secured to the flat surface. If |
| more freedom in design and installation. It is just like | | | | this moves during your mosaic, then your design will |
| doing the direct method but your tiles are adhered to | | | | be shifted. |
| fiberglass mesh instead of your substrate. | | | | Using full strength Weldbond, start adhering the tiles |
| Whether you call it the double direct method or the | | | | to your design. You don't want to use too much glue |
| mesh method, you will love this new technique. Once | | | | so lightly dab the glue on the back of each piece. |
| the tiling is finished, you can install it anywhere, | | | | Follow your design that is under the mesh until you |
| whether it is on a tabletop, kitchen backsplash, or an | | | | have completely covered it. Beware of cutting tiles |
| outside mural. The versatility is tremendous. | | | | over the mesh. You will end up with shards stuck in |
| You will need fiberglass mesh before you begin. It is | | | | the grooves of the mesh and will have tiles pop off |
| very important to use fiberglass mesh since it takes | | | | later because of poor adhesion. |
| much longer for it to deteriorate than other mesh. | | | | Once you have finished laying the tiles, allow the |
| This is sold in square yard sections but you can find it | | | | piece to set overnight. Carefully flip the entire piece |
| in a continuous roll if needed. Be sure to get either | | | | over and remove the plastic wrap. The glue will still |
| the 4.3 ounce or the 6 ounce. This is simply the | | | | be wet at this point but your tiles should stay in |
| weight of the mesh. The 4.3 ounce is good for most | | | | place. Let the glue finish drying. Trim the excess |
| glass mosaics. The 6 ounce is best used for heavier | | | | mesh from around the mosaic. If your mosaic is very |
| tesserae such as marble. | | | | large then you will need to cut it into workable |
| You will also need to have your design drawn up in | | | | pieces. If it is small enough to handle easily then you |
| the actual finished size. You can take your small | | | | are ready to install. |
| version to most copy stores and they can blow it up | | | | Mix your thin set mortar using the latex additive |
| to large scale for you. Remember that you will lose | | | | according to package directions. Spread a thin layer |
| some of your detail when you increase the size. | | | | onto your surface and trowel through until it is half |
| To get started, you will need a large flat area to lay | | | | the thickness of the tiles. Position the mosaic onto |
| the mosaic. You might want to use a piece of | | | | the thin set. Once you are sure that you have it |
| plywood or even a doubled up cardboard box. It just | | | | where you want it, take a two by four and press |
| needs to be sturdy enough to hold your mosaic if | | | | down all of the tiles. If you have any thin set that |
| you need to move it from the table in which you are | | | | squishes up between the tiles, use a toothpick to |
| working. | | | | clean out immediately. |
| Now you are going to layer and tape the following in | | | | Allow your installed mosaic to set up overnight. Grout |
| this order. Lay your design on the surface that you | | | | your finished mosaic the same way you would grout |
| chose. Cover your design with plastic wrap. Next | | | | any other mosaic. |