How do I "butter" smaller pieces of tile?

Bob
by Bob
  15 answers
  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Mar 19, 2020

    Hi Bob, a smaller trowel will do the trick. When I was doing edging on a floor I grabbed a literal butter knife from the kitchen lol it worked fine.

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Mar 19, 2020

    You smear the tile adhesive on the back of the tile - similar to buttering bread. :)

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Mar 19, 2020

    Bob: you could even use a small kitchen offset spatula.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Mar 19, 2020

    Make sure once you spread it on, you use a notched trowel to make grooves in the mastic. For some reason it makes a big difference in the way it adheres.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Mar 19, 2020

    This is called Back Buttering, Thinset is put on the back of tiles in order to get better coverage (close to 100%) to prevent adhesion failure. What you do is put on a layer of Thinset on the base-floor or wall with a trowel-and then you add the Thinset to the back of the tiles covering them on the backside completely. This is to make up for any depressions in the base of the tiles. It is up to you what to use to apply the Thinset to the back of the tiles. A small trowel, a butter knife, and old store card, what ever works for your tile situation. Then put the tiles in place, gently moving them side to side to create the best contact.

  • Dee Dee on Mar 19, 2020

    I use a small scraper when putting in small tiles.

  • William William on Mar 19, 2020

    You can use a butter knife. small spatula, or even your finger. Just put a smooth dab of adhesive on the back of the tile.

  • Little old butter knife works well too. Obviously one you won't use again for food.

  • Mogie Mogie on Mar 19, 2020

    If you have any wooden popcycle sticks those work great and no cleaning them up afterwards just toss them in the trash or better yet use them to start a fire in a fire pit or wood stove. This would be after scrapping off any residue left on the applicator.

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Mar 19, 2020

    This is what they call it when you put mortar on the back of each tile, not just the wall.

  • Wooden stir sticks.

  • Cynthia H Cynthia H on Mar 20, 2020

    I keep craft sticks in my tool box for jobs just like yours. It is like buttering bread.

  • Michelle Leslie Michelle Leslie on Mar 21, 2020

    Hi Bob, stirrer sticks or Popsicle sticks work really well and they're inexpensive too. They're great for applying grout afterwards too.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Mar 23, 2020

    Use a tiny knife or old butter knife or a small stick

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Feb 05, 2021

    Hello Bob,

    Just add a blob in the centre!