nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 26, 2015 9:56:25 GMT -8
I installed Armstrong tiles recently and used the glue they recommended. The tiles were installed tight, I gave it time for the glue to dry clear and following the directions to leave a small expansion crack around the edge. I wondered why the glue did not dry completely and the tiles shift slightly if a lot of pressure (foot) is applied. This happens when the weather is very hot and can leave tiny space lines on a few tiles. This is what the technical expert at Armstrong told me: The tile glue is more like what you find on flypaper than wood glue. If it dried hard it would crack and not have any ability to flex in extreme heat or cold. A little shifting in high heat is normal. Shoe molding around the edge seemed to help. One thing I should warn you about. I had one tile that was slightly lighter in color. They all came from the same box. I didn't realize it until it was in place. Really annoying... even if I'm the only one to notice. So check the tiles in direct sunlight to make sure the color match is perfect. Full disclosure: my wife and family say the color difference is hardly noticeable and only a crazy person (me) would care about tiny space lines from shifting.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Jul 26, 2015 20:15:43 GMT -8
He's not completely right.
You have to let the glue dry before you put down the tiles. You lay the glue down wet and yellow. Once it turns transparent you can start setting the tile. If you put the tile on while the glue is wet it can take weeks and even months for it to cure. It's in the instructions on the can. LOL...
OH! and don't forget to use a 1/6 inch trowel. Not a 1/8 inch.
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cp4chris
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Post by cp4chris on Jul 26, 2015 21:08:05 GMT -8
I can see the lighter tile, it's under the fridge door rh side
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Post by vikx on Jul 26, 2015 23:36:06 GMT -8
cp4Chris, we could've gone a couple a years without that *lighter tile* pinpoint flaw... LOL.
Oddly, Armstrong self stick tiles were installed in my 57 Deluxe and failed. They might have been 2 yrs old, but it was frustrating to have them lift in the sun at a first rally. Could they have been installed the tiles too tight? Maybe.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 27, 2015 5:55:51 GMT -8
I put the glue down with a 1/16 trowel and let it dry until clear but it was 90 degrees that day. I did it again with extra tiles on a test board. The glue took two weeks to get soft/hard. So time seems to help. But then I left the test board outside on a 100 degree day (shade) and it went tacky again. So I think the tech guy is right...flypaper! He did also say something interesting: "In hot weather, the black glue they used 50 years ago is sometimes gummy a half century later. Why would this be different?" I thought I'd start this thread so people didn't worry too much if there was slight shifting in hot weather. But if it oozes and shifts like the floor in a fun house, you got problems!
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mel
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Post by mel on Jul 27, 2015 5:59:25 GMT -8
That lighter tile would drive me bonkers too, I can't stop staring at it
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 27, 2015 6:10:22 GMT -8
I fairness to my wife, I took that photo with the light just right to show the difference. And once I waxed it, it did blend better.
But come on...that tile was a major screw up at Armstrong.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Jul 27, 2015 6:11:56 GMT -8
I installed Armstrong tiles recently and used the glue they recommended. The tiles were installed tight, I gave it time for the glue to dry clear and following the directions to leave a small expansion crack around the edge. I wondered why the glue did not dry completely and the tiles shift slightly if a lot of pressure (foot) is applied. This happens when the weather is very hot and can leave tiny space lines on a few tiles. This is what the technical expert at Armstrong told me: The tile glue is more like what you find on flypaper than wood glue. If it dried hard it would crack and not have any ability to flex in extreme heat or cold. A little shifting in high heat is normal. Shoe molding around the edge seemed to help. One thing I should warn you about. I had one tile that was slightly lighter in color. They all came from the same box. I didn't realize it until it was in place. Really annoying... even if I'm the only one to notice. So check the tiles in direct sunlight to make sure the color match is perfect. Full disclosure: my wife and family say the color difference is hardly noticeable and only a crazy person (me) would care about tiny space lines from shifting. That's good to know. I wonder how high heat combined with high humidity affects it. You have both in NC don't you? BTW, I really like that fir plywood panel. I am from the land where these tress grow and am a big fan of the wood. It can be somewhat difficult to work with, but once you learn to work with it, it's not too bad. Is all your paneling flat grained fir? Not many manufacturers used it. I have only seen one trailer with it in person. I understand why you chose a light color for the flooring as the fir is quite dark, but I like how it makes the trailer smell and feel like a rustic old cabin. I have asked at a couple of the lumber distributors I buy from and so far they all tell me that clear flat grained fir plywood is NLA. I don't know if you can buy veneers to make your own, will have to check on that out. Any more pictures of your interior?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 27, 2015 6:40:28 GMT -8
Full disclosure: my wife and family say the color difference is hardly noticeable and only a crazy person (me) would care about tiny space lines from shifting. That's good to know. I wonder how high heat combined with high humidity affects it. You have both in NC don't you? BTW, I really like that fir plywood panel. I am from the land where these tress grow and am a big fan of the wood. It can be somewhat difficult to work with, but once you learn to work with it, it's not too bad. Is all your paneling flat grained fir? Not many manufacturers used it. I have only seen one trailer with it in person. I understand why you chose a light color for the flooring as the fir is quite dark, but I like how it makes the trailer smell and feel like a rustic old cabin. I have asked at a couple of the lumber distributors I buy from and so far they all tell me that clear flat grained fir plywood is NLA. I don't know if you can buy veneers to make your own, will have to check on that out. Any more pictures of your interior? Oddly, the piece to the left of the door was different but I liked it, so I left it. The wood inside had a beautiful grain. I was able to save every panel. I'm now a big believer in campers from the desert.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 27, 2015 6:47:56 GMT -8
The wood on my cubbies is like the piece to the left of your door. The piece to the left of my door was like the walls but it was damaged and I have a piece of birch to replace it.
As for the tiles, mine shifted. I installed them when it was cold but I had the trailer heated. They were tight, no lines, I have pics. When the weather warmed up, I noticed lines, only vertical. Then a larger gap at a piece at the door mentioned above (except I had the piece out and the tile was not butted up against anything. Then recently, two large gaps where my husband was working to install outlets under the bench. Ugh. I think I'm going to live with it for now and replace the whole floor after camping season.
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 27, 2015 7:10:55 GMT -8
There are "unspoken dirty little facts" we don't talk about in public on this forum because we don't want to look incompetent. This thread is one of them. I thought twice before hitting the Create Post button. Going forward I volunteer to wash all my dirty laundry in public. I appreciate that Mobiltec told us in his video that he put the tiles down too soon on the Deville. He saved me a world of pain.
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RinTin
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Post by RinTin on Jul 27, 2015 7:20:44 GMT -8
Beautiful interior, it looks like ash, not fir, my mistake. You were fortunate to find one in such good condition. Nothing but soggy ones up here in the Northwet, that's why I spend so much attention to moisture protection on my build.
Sorry about the thread drift.
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jul 27, 2015 8:17:03 GMT -8
There are "unspoken dirty little facts" we don't talk about in public on this forum because we don't want to look incompetent. This thread is one of them. I thought twice before hitting the Create Post button. Going forward I volunteer to wash all my dirty laundry in public. I appreciate that Mobiltec told us in his video that he put the tiles down too soon on the Deville. He saved me a world of pain. Thanks, Nc for putting the info about the adhesive out here and for taking the time to consult with the manufacturer. You did a fabulous job on trailer.
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mel
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Post by mel on Jul 27, 2015 9:46:28 GMT -8
Wow the wood looks amazing!! I can only hope mine will turn out as nice. The camper is Ash right?
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nccamper
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Post by nccamper on Jul 27, 2015 10:29:54 GMT -8
Wow the wood looks amazing!! I can only hope mine will turn out as nice. The camper is Ash right? Yes, Ash. As I understand it, it can't be replaced now. Birch looks close but not exact. 5 days of sanding and two days of bleaching (Savogran Wood Bleach) out stains that ran too deep. There was no rot to deal with as far as panels were concerned. Three coats of amber and two coats of clear shellac. The original floor tiles were fine but covered with black glue that wouldn't come up. I followed suggestions made on this forum and covered it with luan before the new tile. Notice at the top photo the new threshold made from left over skin? That's a trick from Mobiltec. The door closes thanks to a warning from SusieQ to keep the height of the new tile in mind when deciding where to end the luan. I never would have thought of it until it was too late. The tile that's a little lighter I can thank Armstrong for...filthy #$^&*! But I'm not holding a grudge. I've moved on. Really.
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