I live in an older home. Some of the bathroom wall tiles are cracked. I want to replace the cracked tiles (4x4 tiles)

So when I remove an old tile, there is this adhesive (?) that is hard as a rock. Do I have to remove this also before I install a replacement tile?

Also, could I just put bead board over all this tile? (Not in the shower of course)

You have already guessed that I know nothing about this, right? HAHA

Yes, remove the old thin-set before you put the new tiles in. Shouldn't be too hard to get it out of there. Bead Board over the tiles would not be a good idea, if you want to do that just take all the tile down first.

Hmmm...

I am betting that you have a dried MASTIC on the walls which is why you are having trouble removing it Sam! Old, dried mastic (goldish color when old/dried) can be difficult to remove.

For small repair jobs like this, I have used sharp wood chisels to remove this stuff with good success. Then use a bucket of pre-mixed thinset mortar or a bucket of MASTIC tile adhesive to set new tiles.

They also make a great tool for removing all kinds of stuff... called the multimaster I think... but very expensive and not worth purchasing just for this... but the tool works fantastic!

Installing bead board over tile in good condition can be done if you use an appropriate adhesive... but like Amricca suggested, probably best to remove tile and then install the bead board and a nice chair-rail trim... ;)

Let us know what you think here... MARK

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Definitely remve the old gunk, because it will make the new tile stickou if you don't and it will not hold right, use cocking to stick it on for tile and let dry, try a knife or pick for the old stuff...