back Tips and advice

How to Prepare Your Wall for a Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash?

Preparing the installation surface is very important. A poorly prepared wall can harm the adherence and durability of Smart Tiles.

 

The surface must be cleaned before starting the installation of a kitchen or bathroom peel and stick backsplash. But if you have a non-recommended wall, you may have some work to do.

 

Cleaning the Wall Before Installing a Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash

 

Dirt like cooking splashes or dust will prevent Smart Tiles from sticking permanently on your backsplash. So, for better adherence, you have to install Smart Tiles on a clean wall, like clean ceramic tiles or glass tiles. No matter what your surface is, a good cleaning is important. Don't forget to clean the grout lines too.

 

A degreaser, such as trisodium phosphate (TSP), is the best product for a thorough cleaning.

 

When it’s clean, you must wait until the wall is completely dry before installing your peel and stick Smart Tiles. The tiles won’t stick on a damp surface.

Preparing a Non-Recommended Surface 

 

With certain changes, most of the non-recommended surfaces in the article  “On What Surfaces Can you Install Peel and Stick Smart Tiles on as a Backsplash” can be used with Smart Tiles. Here are some tips for preparing your wall before installation.

 

Preparing a Brick or Stone Wall

 

 

Can I Install Peel and Stick Tiles on a Brick Wall? Can I Install Peel and Stick Smart Tiles on a Stone Wall?
(Source) (Source)


Smart Tiles won’t adhere to a brick or stone backsplash wall, even if it is painted. The only way to install peel and stick tiles on this type of surface is to put them on an extra panel. A thin acrylic panel is one of the best options for complete and permanent adherence.

 

You can buy an acrylic panel at a hardware store near you and install the peel and stick Smart Tiles directly on it. Then, install this panel on the wall with glue or screws.

 

Preparing a Plain Gypsum or Plaster Wall

 

 

How to Prepare a Plain Gypsum Wall for a Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash?

How to Prepare a Plaster Wall for a Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash?

(Source) (Source)


Gypsum or plaster walls have to be prepared before you install a Smart Tiles peel and stick backsplash. First, you have to level the surface and fill the holes with plaster. Then, you must apply a primer on the wall. When it is completely cured, the tiles may be installed.

 

Preparing Plywood

 

 

Prep Work on plywood for Smart Tiles peel and stick backsplash Prep Work on plywood for Smart Tiles peel and stick backsplash
(Source) (Source)


Similarly to a gypsum or plaster wall, Smart Tiles won’t stick on natural plywood. The plywood should be covered with primer or paint before installation.

 

Preparing a Stucco Wall

 

Stucco walls will harm the adherence of peel and stick Smart Tiles and therefore must be prepared before installing Smart Tiles peel and stick backsplash. Look at the surface closely. Whatever kind of stucco it is, you should remove any texture. This step may be more or less complicated depending on the type of stucco.

 

Brushed walls have delicate reliefs that aren’t thick. So, to remove the texture, this type of surface must be sanded. Then, you will need to apply a primer to make the wall uniform before installing Smart Tiles. The primer has to be completely cured before the installation.



 How to Prepare a Stucco Wall for Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash  How to Prepare a Stucco Wall for Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash
(Source) (Source)
   
 How to Prepare a Stucco Wall for Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash  How to Prepare a Stucco Wall for Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash
(Source) (Source)

Stucco that you have to sand



For walls with thick stucco with big reliefs, the stucco should be completely removed right down to the gypsum. To remove all the stucco, you have to scrape it with a scraper or a metal spatula. When all the stucco is down, you must apply a primer to make the surface uniform.



 Remove Stucco before you install Smart Tiles peel and stick Backsplash  Remove Stucco before you install Smart Tiles peel and stick Backsplash
(Source) (Source)
   
Remove Stucco before you install Smart Tiles peel and stick Backsplash  Remove Stucco before you install Smart Tiles peel and stick Backsplash
(Source) (Source)

Stucco that you have to remove

 

 

Primer and Paint Advice

Primer

 

Primer helps make unfinished surfaces like gypsum, plaster and plywood uniform. When primer is applied, it is very important to wait until it is cured before you begin installing the Smart Tiles peel and stick backsplash. Primer takes at least 72 hours to completely dry and then your wall will be ready for Smart Tiles.

 

You can use any type of primer with Smart Tiles, except for one: Zinsser. Some chemical components of this primer may harm the adherence of the tiles. Avoid this one and your tiles will stick on your wall for as long as you want them to.

 

Paint

 

If you prefer to paint your wall, no problem! But, you should put a primer before the paint. In addition, you will have to wait until the paint is completely dry, at least 21 days, before installing the tiles.

Aura, the interior paint from Benjamin Moore, is the only one that could harm the adherence of the Smart Tiles. So, it’s advisable to use another paint product to cover your wall.

 

For more information about installation surfaces, read our blog and visit our Installation page. We are also available to answer your questions 1-877-784-2733 or [email protected].

Share