Dish it up!

[Tre V]

I have an old (clean) satellite dish, dark gray, which I'm thinking of doing in mosaic for garden art. It's rigid so I'm not too worried about the pieces popping off. Since I've never done this before, I'll take any and all suggestions/warnings.  At this point, I'm thinking of gluing down the pieces, then grouting. Is that right?

[Anne]

what a cool idea Tre.  Can't answer the question but I just wanted to say that. So what pattern are you putting on it?

[Tre V]

I have no idea! Maybe just random colors..

[Judy K]

Does the dish have a painted surface that is oxidizing, or is it baked enamel ?

[Tre V]

It's not rusting or oxidizing at all, so I'm assuming baked enamel..

[Judy K]

Good! It sounds like a fun project. Wayne or Becki should be by soon with good glue ideas. I have only used thinset and silicone, I don't know if they would work best  for this project.

[Tre V]

It's 28" across, so plenty of room..should I use weldbond or construction adhesive?

[Kev]

Hey...what a good idea for a birdbath! I bet there are a lot of them trashed.

[Tre V]

Yeah, I saw another one at the recycle station..it was all I could do to not pick it up. Next thing you know I'll be one of those little ole ladies with a thousand things in her yard..

[Kev]

lmao! you go girl!

[Wayne]

I would think the dish is certainly stable enough to support a mosaic!  You would want to lightly sand the paint so that the outer layer is removed.  Paints do oxidize and creating a rough surface for the adhesive, you are creating a base for a good bond.  Weldbond is not an option if you are doing this for the outdoors but ok if it stays inside.  To select an adhesive for the outside, you may first look at construction adhesives and if you can not find them look at liquid nails.  Read the label to make sure they can be used with metals and glass.  Most silicons turn yellow outside but since you are not having light pass through this, that won't matter.  The grout should be sealed with an outdoor sealant unless you use a grout with an additive.

[Glassic]

My birdbath finally fell apart but I left it outside this winter and the terra cotta dish gave out.
The twopart epoxy I repaired the broken saucer with held up.
The tub'n'tile bathroom adhesive/sealant held up.
8 years of Saltillo sealant or diluted Weldbond also held up.
The darn Mexican pottery didn't.... should have used Italian!     

I would etch that with 80grit before I got started.

Gee, it's today.

[Rebecca]

Wayne, I disagree that WeldBond is not an option for outdoor use.  I agree that it is not completely waterproof, but I used it on a bird bath that stayed outside year round and never had a problem for about ten years.  A friend has the bird bath now and I haven't heard of any problems lately, either.  I also used it on a concrete table and four benches that have been outside for ten years.  If your grout is well sealed, the Weld Bond will never see water, and even if it does, I don't think it is as big a problem as you do.  I had a hard plastic dish that cracked.  I put Weld Bond over the crack.  After the glue dried, I filled the dish with water often and let it sit.  The Weld Bond would turn white, but it still seemed to have a "skin" over it and never leaked.  I used it that way for several years.  I used it for soaking my carborundum stone, so it sat with water in it for days at a time.  One day I knocked it off of the table and it broke in half and I threw it away.  I still use Weld Bond for outdoor applications that will be grouted and sealed.  It lasts fine outdoors and is safe for children to use - no noxious fumes like E6000 and some of the other adhesives and it cleans up with water as long as it is not set.

Rebecca

[Tre V]

    Gosh thank you everyone. Wayne, I'll be sure to sand the surface. I have both WeldBond and Liquid Nail. Since we're in midst of construction, there are adhesives everywhere!
    Someplace floating in a sea of trivia is a memory of mixing WeldBond into the grout as well? Would that be appropriate here, or was that for something else?

[Lou Ann]

        Someplace floating in a sea of trivia is a memory of mixing WeldBond into the grout as well? Would that be appropriate here, or was that for something else?

not sure if this is what is floating around in your mind or not but I mix weldbond into the flashcrete when I make that type of stepping stone -- I don't put it in my concrete ones...

[Tre V]

Yup Lou Ann, that was it! Thank you.

[Rebecca]

I have heard of mixing WeldBond into the grout, but DON'T.  All it does is make a mess.

Rebecca

[Tre V]

Yeek! Thanks, Rebecca. I seem to make plenty of messes on my own without asking for trouble.

[Wayne]

Actually, many do mix weldbond with grout to fortify the grout when they use it on the edges of the substrate to make it look finished.

I wouldn't bother though.  I think you would want to use a grout suitable for outside use and then seal it.  The only alternative is to use a fortified grout like Laticrete or Mapei but why go thru more expense...

[Rebecca]

Actually, many do mix weldbond with grout to fortify the grout when they use it on the edges of the substrate to make it look finished.

I wouldn't bother though.  I think you would want to use a grout suitable for outside use and then seal it.  The only alternative is to use a fortified grout like Laticrete or Mapei but why go thru more expense...

Exactly, Wayne.  Use the correct materials to start with and don't cause more work for yourself by using something unsuitable.

Rebecca

[Glassic]

I don't mix it in the grout, I used it diluted as a sealer. I do use it as a bonding agent in the mix if I'm pouring, I got a box wholesale so it was cheaper than a bonding agent.

[Wayne]

Weldbond diluted with water does make a sealer and many use it for that.  Remember the key to Weldbond is it can be easily removed with water.  To seal wood, for example, Kiltz is much better.

[Tre V]

Oh yeah, Wayne, I love that primer!

[Audrey]

What a great idea, Tre. Can't wait to see what you do.

[ct4mom]

Now this looks like it going to be a very interesting piece....hope you share the process!!!

[Judy K]

Now this looks like it going to be a very interesting piece....hope you share the process!!!

I agree

[Marsha]

That would make a great birdbath!!