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View Full Version : Adhering tile to tub surround


leowat
Jan 2, 2008, 11:05 AM
I have a newish home (2 years old) and I really dislike the tub surround. I want to tile over it. I can't just remove it since the bathtub is part of the surround. Any advice on how to attach tile to hide it?

Thanks so much!

ballengerb1
Jan 2, 2008, 12:33 PM
Your surround is either acrylic plastic and/or fiberglass. It really should not get tiles applied to it since there may be adhesion problems and flexing. If you decide you want to do it no matter what then you must scuff the surrounds signitificantly with 80 grit sand paper before applying your mastic. Even if you get good adhesion I think you will not be happy with how the tile terminates at the dege of the surround since most are curved at the edge.

ballengerb1
Jan 4, 2008, 08:53 PM
Leoway sent me a PM talking about trying to separate the surround from the tub. This would be difficult unless there is an existing seam between the tub and the surround. Just cutting the tub away from the walls would be a wildly difficult job to tackle.

schwim
Jan 5, 2008, 07:52 AM
It also must be taken into consideration that a one piece tub uses all of it's parts for strengthening and to add rigidity. I would imagine cutting the surround would total out the tub itself. I would bet money that you would see cracks in the coating in short order.

Thanks,
Json