Question from Mary

Hi Brett,

I think your mosaics are the most beautiful and inspiring that I’ve ever seen. Thank you for this site.

My question is that I am making a mosaic for the garden that is mostly unglazed ceramic tiles (ones that I have bought, not made). As I am making it for the outside in an area not undercover, do you think that the unglazed tiles will go weird if they have no coating and get rained on for a few years? Or should I have some kind of coating to keep the elements out a bit?

Regards
Mary

Reply from Brett

Hi Mary

Thanks for your post.

There’s no reason for them to “”go weird”” from the rain, but they might collect some mould and discolour a bit over time. Using a high pressure hose like a gurney should clean them up pretty well though.

Think about sealing them – it will give you a slightly different “”permanent wet”” look but will minimise the problems mentioned above.

Cheers

Brett

Reply from Mary

Thanks Brett

I’ll get some sealant and “”test”” a few tiles and see how they look. I think a slightly wet look would be great on them because I have used some glass tiles so the difference between their finish would become slightly less pronounced.

should I just ask at a tile shop or hardware place what might be a good sealant?

Regards
Mary

Reply from Garry

Hello Mary,

I am trying to avoid tile shops and hardware shops because of how much it costs me in impulse buying! Next time I go browsing I might leave my credit card at home. About sealants, I used one called Slate and Concrete Sealant, in a one litre tin for $20 from Bunnings. I only wanted to seal the grout on a (vertical) panel of some parrots out in the garden, and also some cast pavers. It’s a good sealant, but unless you wipe down very quickly, it puts a finish like clear estapol over everything. Another one I have tried that works well is in a pressure pack can. But it costs $30 for 300grams.

The tiles shouldn’t change colour over time, but if the grout goes weird, you can always grout again by “”bagging””, as long as you can match the grout colour.

Those grout sealers that are a white liquid, I suspect they are just white wood glue. They are good for sealing grout, MFF, etc. I just mixed my own by diluting some PVA glue. It has stood up to red wine spills, cappuccino, Flake, etc so rain should be no trouble.

Cheers,

Garry

Reply from Mary

Thanks for the advice, Gary. I know what you mean about the dangers of hardware shopping, it’s worse than window shopping!!

I definitely don’t want a shiny finish but the diluted pvc might be good to protect the grout. As for spilling red wine on it, well, that is always a distinct possiblity!

Regards
mary

Reply from Brett

Hi again Mary

The sealants I use can be found at tis website – http://www.shalex.com.au/

Hope that helps

Best

Brett