I am tiling a shower/tub surround. I have applied roofing felt then cement
board to the studs (hardibacker). I then used tape and thinset on the
joints and corners - everything looks good and now I'm starting to tile up
the walls.

Is there a right or wrong method with regard to where I apply the thinset -
meaning on the wall or on the back of the tile? on the first few rows I
applied it to the wall directly but now am finding it easier to apply
directly to the back of the tile and then put it on the wall.

Is applying the thinset to the tile back OK to do?

Wall is slightly preferable. Doesn't make that much of a diff.

Ya, you can definitely apply to the tile rather than the wall... and
this method works really well if you move slowly and carefully as
there's an open time on thinset before it hardens...and it hardens
fairly quick on the wall compared to the pan.

Remember to seal that grout after it's cured for a while.

Take some pictures and post on a blog when you're done! Sounds like
you could put a great how-to article out there for other DIY'ers.

wrote in message
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On Mon, 4 Dec 2006 19:45:19 -0500, "Leo" wrote:

I am tiling a shower/tub surround. I have applied roofing felt then
cement
board to the studs (hardibacker). I then used tape and thinset on the
joints and corners - everything looks good and now I'm starting to tile up
the walls.

Is there a right or wrong method with regard to where I apply the
thinset -
meaning on the wall or on the back of the tile? on the first few rows I
applied it to the wall directly but now am finding it easier to apply
directly to the back of the tile and then put it on the wall.

Is applying the thinset to the tile back OK to do?

I see tile guys working all the time in my wife's houses. They apply
the thinset on the wall when they are going fast on easy open areas.
When they are in the corners or hard to work in spots they butter the
tile. When you watch a real tile man go it really looks easy. They
rake out the thinset on the wall and just throw the tile up there
where it goes. No grout squeezes out, the tile lays flat and it stays
put. A lot of it is getting the thinset mixed right and the other part
is simply experience. Usually about the time a DIY guy like me is just
starting to get the hang of it, I am done. By the time I get around to
tiling again I have lost the touch and I have to start the learning
curve over. ;-(
Chuckle. Been there, done that, with tile, carpet, vinyl, drywall mudding,
etc. I grew up in the business, I know the steps, but I don't do it every
day, so my hands are unsure. These days, since I have the cashflow, I tend
to hire out any of the 'artisan' trades. Cheaper in the long run. They do
make it look easy. Only problem I have is getting somebody to actually show
up for my ****ant small jobs, seldom more than a couple hours worth. I can't
blame them, if doing my job means missing a full day on a new work jobsite,
but it is a pain.

aem sends...