Entryway Tile Adhesive

[kwood]

I pulled up the old linoleum from the entry stairs on my MC9.  I would like to put some tile over the metal stairsteps to make it look better.  Any recommendations for tile adhesive?  Should I use Tough-as-nails or ordinary tile adhesive?  The metal under the linoleum is not perfectly smooth like house underlayment so I am thinking of the glue as a bit of cushion.

How about grouting?  Should I use regular grout or maybe colored caulk? 

Thanks for any thoughts.

Kevin

[Airbag]

I would think they flex too much for grout?

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Kevin,

I used Durabond 50 flexible thinset on all my marble floors in the bus. 5 years and still no cracks...

D-50™ Flexible Mortar
D-50 is used for interior or exterior installations to set ceramic, porcelain, granite, slate, marble, limestone, and dimension stone tiles. use over properly prepared concrete; structurally-sound, exterior grade plywood (interior/dry use only); cementitious backer board; D-222 DuraGuard and existing, well bonded vinyl/VCT or ceramic tile.

Good Luck
Nick-

[kwood]

So far I have read that the thinset mortar will not adhere to metal. That is why I am wondering about construction adhesives.  I am insetting the tile in the spot where the linoleum was, and leaving the stainless trim around the steps.    I am also concerned about the grout cracking on the steps.

[Kwajdiver]

I put 3/4 inch plywood down, over the metal, then laminate down on the stairs.
Worked out pretty well.  Next time I will do tile.

Bill

[Skykingrob]

KWood
First put down 3/16" hardibacker by screwing it to the metal step. Then use a flexible thinset. There are all kinds available from places like Color Tile, Lowes, Home Depot and other tile stores. Then Lowes and Home Depot both sell grout in a tube that is essentially colored caulk, very flexible and can be placed in a caulking gun, many colors to match the grout colors. Also, you can use grout that has a latex additive to make it flexible if you want instead of the grout.
I am currently working on mine, this is what Prevost told me they use. Hope they told me the truth.

Rob
91 Prevost LeMirage XL
Misouri

[kwood]

I am trying to avoid putting anything under the tile because the tile is the correct height to fit between the stainless trim pieces that came with the MC9.  Adding anything will make the tile sit higher than the trim.

What about sikaflex.  Will that attach tile to metal.  It did wonders on my siding when I removed some windows.

Kevin

[Blacksheep]

Just do it and if it doesn't work well then you will know what not to do!

[kwood]

That is what I thought, although it will be difficult to get the sikaflex off if it does not stick to the tile.  
I know it sticks well to metal!

[luvrbus]

Marathon and Country Coach use a body filler like Bondo to set the Marble or Granite on the stairway on their Prevost Conversion I guess it would work for tile also.I plan on using it to set my complete marble floor in the bus      good luck

[Dallas]

You might try something like a polyurethane lap sealant like PL Roof and Flashing adhesive. The stuff is flexible, bullet proof, won't crack or shrink, and lasts about forever.
The down side is that it never comes off and if you have to remove the tile, you'll destroy them and have to use a grinder with a wire wheel to remove the residue.