Final Dry Layout
We get closer to tiling this weekend, but not quite there after attempting another dry layout. For this layout, Karen does the layout with spacing everything out and finalizing all of the cuts needed for laying things out. In the previous layouts, we did fudge some things by not consistently using the spacers. It allowed things to fit nicely at the corners, but the layout had some gaps that needed to be closed up. This time she used spacers throughout the layout to get everything tighter.
Applying spacers everywhere.
As things are being spaced out, Karen also makes sure the application of a custom 4 tile design is evenly applied. Some tile places will custom make a repeating pattern, but it is expensive so we bought plain white sheets and then some black sheets to make our own repeating pattern. First she makes sure it repeats correctly. We’ve had some contractors mess this up where you’d have a pattern repeat after 8 tiles in some spots and 7 tiles in others.
Measuring out the repeating pattern. For testing we’re just laying the black hex over the existing white hex.
Once the pattern is finalized she pops out all of the tiles needed for the 4 tile custom design we added to the layout. We need to hand replace those with black tiles for a little flower effect. This task is also tedious and eats up a lot of time.
Pretty much the layout before real tiling.
The dry layout is mostly a 1 person job so I focus on woodwork and getting the tub finally stripped and primed. On the tub I do another coat of paint stripper to try and get off the remaining white paint. I get most off but there’s still a white haze that I don’t think is coming off. There also appears to be some drips of enamel on the underside and that isn’t coming off.
As clean as I can make this.
Mostly clean and made in the USA.
I then do another treatment of Rustoleum rust remover to try and get any last bits of rust. Again I get most of it off but there’s a few spots that are too stubborn to remove. I do a final wipedown with turpentine and then I apply a coat of iron oxide linseed oil paint. This paint is supposed to be a good primer to prevent rust.
Hopefully protecting from rust.
