How to install tile on oily surface?

October 25, 2009 4:07 PM

Need help with talavera tile installation on oil impregnated plywood.

We have a backsplash behind our cooktop made of 3/4 inch mahogany plywood. It has been in place for twenty years (don't ask.) We want to tile it with Mexican Talavera tile (terra cotta handmade irregular "flat pillow" shaped tile.)

The problem is that the twenty years of use has left a surface that is soaked in olive oil, chicken fat, etc. and is obviously "oily."

Do we treat the surface with acetone to degrease it? Do we use some marvelous adhesive that sticks to olive oil? Are we flat out of luck?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

posted by leafwoman to home & garden (5 comments total)

I would remove the plywood. If there's nothing behind it, replace it with drywall; you don't even need to do a neat job of it, since you'll be covering it with tile anyhow.
posted by jon1270 at 4:34 PM on October 25

I'd cover the plywood with cement board, which will give you a stable surface with good adhesion for the tiles.

Don't tile directly over drywall -- there are products (eg cement board) that are more appropriate for that application.
posted by Forktine at 4:47 PM on October 25 [1 favorite]

You won't be able to get a good bond on something oily. Your options generally are:

1. 1/4" cement board over the existing backsplash.
2. Remove the backsplash and replace with cementboard.
3. Tack expanded metal lath to the backsplash, set the tiles in a mortar bed. (not recommended).
posted by electroboy at 5:09 PM on October 25

Cement board is nice, but everything I've seen on professional tile forums (John Bridge, primarily) says that drywall is just fine for backsplashes.
posted by jon1270 at 4:36 AM on October 26

Cement board is nice, but everything I've seen on professional tile forums (John Bridge, primarily) says that drywall is just fine for backsplashes.

I'm not a reader of tile forums, but I am someone who has had to repair and replace a couple of tile backsplashes. My (admittedly limited) experience is that tile installations on drywall don't hold up well over time, because of how drywall slowly disintegrates when exposed to even slight amounts of dampness.

It will certainly last long enough for you to sell the house, but not nearly as well as if you do it right.
posted by Forktine at 7:12 AM on October 26