Mosaic tiling a cinder block wall?

Question

Anyone have information (books or websites) that talk about mosaic tiling conder block walls? Like what materials, how the wall should be prepped, etc. Thanks.

Answer 1

If painted block walls skip # 1
1st) Knock off any protrusions,hand stone works well
2nd)inspect walls if they are flat and true no need for further prep
3rd) If block corners stand out ,coat walls with thinset mortar using flat trowel.
4th) Allow thinset to dry and sand off any protrusions

If you use mastic or thinset(recommended) to set tile ,be sure to use rubber float to tamp tile as you install,nothing worst then going through all of this and the tile you install has humps that are very noticeable after grout.

Use finish nails for spacers,if tile is slumping,place spacers after you tamp and don't push corners of tile when moving into place.Use the rubber float to adjust.

Answer 2

Your prep is almost the same as a concrete floor. You want it as smooth as possible (but the tile will hide some evil) and then use a wall mastic to glue your pieces to the wall. No real huge science to it beyond the same method as tiling a backsplash in the kitchen or a bathroom shower/tub wall.
Once the glue dries, grout and finish!
To smooth the wall in prep, you can use a scratch coat product and trowel it on and smooth it out. Let it harden up (usually pretty fast... hours not days) and away you go!