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DIY: Here’s how to hide those ugly tiles!

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The completed bathroom.
The completed bathroom. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Keen to update wall tiles without chopping them out? Mixx Cement requires time and patience – but the result is so rewarding.

You will need

SHOPPING LIST

  • Mixx Bio Clean
  • Mixx Neutral Binder
  • Mixx Cement Powder (we used the colour White Linen from the Designer Wall range)
  • Mixx Supreme Seal
  • Mixx Silly Seal
  • Blondie paintbrush (75mm)

TOOLS

  • buckets
  • scrubbing brush
  • old toothbrush
  • scraper
  • sandpaper (100-, 120- and 200-grit)
  • sanding block
  • lint-free cloth
  • mohair roller and tray
  • trowel
  • masking tape
The Mixx range.
The Mixx range. (Supplied)

Start with a thorough clean of the wall tiles

Step 1

Mix the Mixx Bio Clean with water in a bucket (1 part Bio Clean: 20 parts water). Stir, then use a scrubbing brush dipped in the Bio Clean to remove grime or soapy residue from the existing tiles. Use an old toothbrush to thoroughly clean the grout lines.

Tip If you spot mould, scrub with the brush and undiluted Bio Clean.

Step 1.
Step 1. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Step 2

Rinse the Bio Clean off with clean water. Allow to dry overnight.

Step 2.
Step 2. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Get going…

All applications of Mixx Cement start with a basic ‘recipe’; this is adjusted for different steps in the process.

The recipe

Mixx Neutral Binder
Mixx Neutral Binder (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Add 5L Mixx Neutral Binder to a bucket, followed by 12.5kg Mixx Cement Powder.

Mixx Cement Powder.
Mixx Cement Powder. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Mix well with a sturdy hand mixer or whisk, or an electric paddle mixer.

Mix well.
Mix well. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Make sure there is no undissolved powder in the bucket.

Check the consistency.
Check the consistency. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

The mixture should be the consistency of pancake batter.

Step 3

Thicken the basic mix to create a paste
Thicken the basic mix to create a paste (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Fill the grout lines Thicken the basic mix to create a paste. You can do this by adding more cement powder (100g at a time); it should be the consistency of crack filler or toothpaste.

The consistency of crack filler or toothpaste.
The consistency of crack filler or toothpaste. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Use a small scraper to fill the grout lines but apply the thicker mix in broad strokes all over the grout lines to cover at least 2cm of the tiles on either side.

Be careful not to apply too thick a coat as this will lead to unnecessary sanding later.

The wall, ultimately, has to be smooth! Allow to dry overnight.

Step 4

Fill in the grout lines.
Fill in the grout lines. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Once dry, sand the Mixx Cement used to fill in the grout lines smooth with 100-grit sandpaper and a sanding block. Remove any dust with a lint-free cloth.

Step 5

Use Mixx Supreme Seal.
Use Mixx Supreme Seal. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Seal the grout lines with Mixx Supreme Seal. This consists of two parts: the sealant (part A) and the hardener (part B). Stir the Supreme Seal with a flat paddle before adding the hardener (4 parts sealer: 1 part hardener).

Step 6

Use a small mohair roller.
Use a small mohair roller. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Use a small mohair roller to apply the Supreme Seal mix over the sanded grout lines. Let it dry overnight.

Tip You only have 4 hours to use the Supreme Seal once you’ve added the hardener. Don’t let it stand!

Step 7

The slurry must be the consistency of paint.
The slurry must be the consistency of paint. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Make a slurry to coat the tiles and prepared grout lines. Start with the recipe for the basic mix but add an extra 1L of Neutral Binder (100ml at a time). The slurry must be the consistency of paint.

We used Mixx Cement Powder from the Designer Wall range in the colour White Linen.

Step 8

Allow to dry overnight.
Allow to dry overnight. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Apply the slurry over the tiles using a fibre paintbrush such as a Blondie brush. Allow to dry overnight.

Step 9

Use a steel trowel to apply it over the entire wall with a windscreen wiper movement.
Use a steel trowel to apply it over the entire wall with a windscreen wiper movement. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Stick to the recipe for the basic mix (5L Mixx Neutral Binder with 12.5kg Mixx Cement Powder). There should be no undissolved powder in the bucket, and the mixture should be the consistency of pancake batter.

Use a steel trowel to apply it over the entire wall with a windscreen wiper movement. Tiled surfaces will require three coats.

The third coat should dry overnight.
The third coat should dry overnight. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Let each coat dry for 1–4 hours until it’s touch dry before applying the next coat. Sand smooth in between coats. The third coat should dry overnight.

Time to seal

You will need two kinds of sealant from Mixx: Silly Seal and Supreme Seal.

Ensure an even film thickness.
Ensure an even film thickness. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Silly Seal Prior to application, ensure that the surface is dust-free and fully cured. Make sure that all edges are neatly taped with masking tape.

Using a 75mm Blondie brush, cut in the edges and apply the sealer with a mohair roller, ensuring an even film thickness.

Wipe off any excess sealer with a lint-free cloth. Do not cut in edges ahead; cut in and roll simultaneously.

A second coat of Silly Seal can be applied after 4 hours. Allow to dry overnight.

Apply Supreme Seal in a well-ventilated area and keep away from all flammable materials.
Apply Supreme Seal in a well-ventilated area and keep away from all flammable materials. (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

Supreme Seal This is a two-part application. Combine parts A and B and stir using a flat paddle for at least 3 minutes. Ensure that any solids on the bottom are properly mixed through.

Prior to application, make sure that the surface is dry and dust-free. Ensure that all edges are neatly taped with masking tape.

Using a 75mm Blondie brush, cut in the edges and apply the sealer with a mohair roller, ensuring an even film thickness with no pooling. Do not cut in edges ahead; cut in and roll at the same time.

Apply Supreme Seal in a well-ventilated area and keep away from all flammable materials.

Allow the Supreme Seal to dry for 24 hours before using the shower.

Before
Before (Supplied)
Now
Now (ER Lombard | Misha Jordaan)

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