Just wondering about tiling a new black splash in an older kitchen do I need to remove the drywall and install wonderboard onto the studs? Or can I go over top of drywall with wonderboard? Or just tile directly onto the drywall?

Want to use 1/4 inch wonderboard if going over top and if I have to remove drywall will use 1/2 unless 1/4 is good enough

Thanks a lot for the help in advance.
David

I tiled the backsplash and cooking area of my kitchen walls with ceramic tiles. On the largest area, about 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall, I did cut out the drywall and install backer board of the same thickness. This was to give that large area of tile something to stick onto.

On smaller areas, I didn't bother removing the drywall. It was not painted, and I gave it a light sanding to rough up the paper a little.

The key part was I used acryllic-modified mortar mix, instead of normal water-mixed mortar. The acryllic ad-mix is supposed to be "stickier", adhering better to a surface like drywall.

I would not use 1/4" drywall if I were you... you need a solid, non-flexible backing so the tile doesn't crack if you bump into it. The tile and mortar will add some of their own stiffness but they need a decently solid backing.

If you're doing a small area, you'll probably be fine keeping the drywall. It may not be what a pro contractor would do, but mine is holding up fine and is very sturdy (I've bumped into it plenty of times with pots/pans).

Best of luck, j.

As Long As Your Drywall Is Clean And Free Of Any High Gloss Paint Or Grease Your Fine To Apply The Tile Straight To The Drywall, And Id Use A Pre Mix Mastic To Set The Tile In.
Hope That Helps , Nichols Trim And Carpentry

Thanks for all the advice ill let you know how it turns out... will be a couple weeks before I tie into it but ill let you know..
David