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Hi, just plastered my bathroom. All dry now!

The parts where I am going to tile, do they need priming or preparing? For instance, do they need to be rubbed down, scratched, etc?

Also, if you can't use PVA as a primer, why is it that on the back of Wickes' and Unibond's tile adhesive does it say to use PVA to prime the area?

If I was going to use PVA, should it be the waterproof one or the normal one?

I'm sure this is going to cause a row...

Many thanks!

Hi Andrew
Read the sticky about PVA at the top of the tiling forum

I have, that's why I know about it. It says on it to refer to the manufacturer's instructions, but they say use PVA.

So what's up with that?

If your happy with the manufacturers instructions then go with them

I'm not saying there right or wrong, PVA is known as a general purpose sealer

But l never use it the same as a lot of professional tilers dont

My own personal reason for not using it is if pva becomes live again when
moisture is introduced that turns on a red light for me

Good luck with your decision

So what would you use if you were using a Unibond or Wickes tile adhesive?

If it is in a kitchen use normal PVA as it won't get wet like it will in a bathroom.

If it is in a shower area, then use waterproof PVA.

Don't do much ceramic tiling or use the ready mixed products you mention

Fixing mostly natural stones and use powder adhesive from tile merchants

Primers used are Bal-prime APD, Ardex 51, Howtex Universal Primer depending
on the adhesive and surface to be tiled

So if your asking me what primer to use with the products you mention l would
use one of the the above as personally l would'nt like to use PVA

Most adhesive manufacturers recomend to leave new plaster for 4 weeks before tiling

Get to Topps tiles and get Acrylic primer

And Don't use adhesive/grout all in one kind of shite.

Have a word in topps

The last time I went into Topps, i went expecting really big savings but only to find they were more expensive than the same tiles at B&Q!

Still, I will pop in there and ask. They were helpful to say the least and so I might get the adhesive and primer from them (and the tiles from B&Q!).

Many thanks.

I went into Topps Tiles and the man there said I didn't need a primer on fresh plaster, just a big ol' tub of BAL Grip.

Then he said all grout is porous and so I'll be needing to paint it with a grout sealer.

Did I have mug on my forehead or was he right?

By the way, I didn't buy anything.

However, ScrewFix have some sort of acrylic primer "for dusty walls" or something. Will this do to seal new plaster?

God, why is everything so complicated?! I think it's all designed to put DIYer's off, you know...it's a conspiracy!

I used a Bal primer on new plaster board to seal the board and stop it drawing the adhesive to fast.

His comment 'all group is porous' is a little general, swimming pool grout?