Wind n Wing Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 I have been creating Stoneware and Porcelain hanging Birdbaths and Feeders for a number of years now and have recentlly been giving thought to adding mosaic birdbaths to my line of garden pieces. I would appreciate any suggestions as to the type of glue/mastic/adhesive that is safe to use in this type of work. Grout suggestions would also be welcomed. I am always aware of potential poisining of the birds and I am a firm advocate of do no harm. I will be using old small satillite dishes for the under base and covering with my designs. The dishes are metal and would be covered on the bathing side with tile, grout and adheasive the underside will be painted with rust proof paint. I know there are lots of creative individuals out there full of experience and hope you can share some of it with me. Thanks a bunch. RJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kohaku Posted May 27, 2013 Report Share Posted May 27, 2013 I have been creating Stoneware and Porcelain hanging Birdbaths and Feeders for a number of years now and have recentlly been giving thought to adding mosaic birdbaths to my line of garden pieces. I would appreciate any suggestions as to the type of glue/mastic/adhesive that is safe to use in this type of work. Grout suggestions would also be welcomed. I am always aware of potential poisining of the birds and I am a firm advocate of do no harm. I will be using old small satillite dishes for the under base and covering with my designs. The dishes are metal and would be covered on the bathing side with tile, grout and adheasive the underside will be painted with rust proof paint. I know there are lots of creative individuals out there full of experience and hope you can share some of it with me. Thanks a bunch. RJ What about aquarium silica? There are varieties that are opaque or clear, and it generally has a pretty long half-life. I've been mulling a similar idea- but for outdoor fountains (project for down the road). I'll be interested to hear what you find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 The best glues are things like e-6000 and JB wield They maybe not the best for birds-the silicone is non toxic but will give up griping over time especially in thaw and warm cycles . It works best on glass. The thinset/cement and grout option may work but underwater the grout will get funky with growth-There are some swimming pool siliconized grouts-as I used them in my tub/shower tile job. Not sure on toxicity factors. I would treat the whole job like a swimming pool job. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diane Puckett Posted May 28, 2013 Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 If you are willing to make the base of something other than satellite dishes, consider making them of hypertufa. You can google to read about doing that. Tiles or stones can be pressed into the hypertufa as the bird baths are made, with no glue or grout needed. Pieces made of hypertufa do have to be left outside, preferably with some rain, for several weeks before they are safe for plants or birds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wind n Wing Posted May 28, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2013 The best glues are things like e-6000 and JB wield They maybe not the best for birds-the silicone is non toxic but will give up griping over time especially in thaw and warm cycles . It works best on glass. The thinset/cement and grout option may work but underwater the grout will get funky with growth-There are some swimming pool siliconized grouts-as I used them in my tub/shower tile job. Not sure on toxicity factors. I would treat the whole job like a swimming pool job. Mark Mark, Sounds like a pool builder will be my best bet. Since I live in the Northeast corner of Montana and the nearest Pool supply is at least 250 miles away I will have to reasearch this further via Phone or Web. But since people swim in pool water and ocassionaly swallow it, [how well can u float lol} I would think it would be safe for birds less the pool chemicals. Thanks for the suggestion. RJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deborahl24 Posted August 21, 2013 Report Share Posted August 21, 2013 I know my answer is a bit late so I hope you will see it. I have taught mosaic art for over 15 years and made many birdbaths with all types of substrates and tessrae. My adhesive of choice for outside work is liquid nails for small projects in clear or working directly into your grout. For outside projects you want a sanded grout and to be sure your spacing is not to large for the grout you are using. Proper preparation of your substrate is very important as well. I have birdbaths that have been in my yard for more than a dozen years that look just as good as when I made them. I also teach tufa and concrete art which make very nice birdbaths, it all depends on what you want in the finished piece. Have fun, mosaic art is great therapy ( you get to break things for art (~ and it can be a completely upcycled art form. Deborah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perkolator Posted August 21, 2013 Report Share Posted August 21, 2013 if you're looking for a classic tile approach to applying your mosaic, the best tile mastic i've ever come across is Laticrete 254 Platinum - the stuff has ridiculously strong bonding properties compared to all other thinset adhesives. basically you want to look at mortar/plaster products for pools and bathtubs/showers where items are constantly exposed/immersed in water. Marine epoxies would also be a good choice for quick/small items. liquid nails would not be a good adhesive for a bird bath as it is NOT recommended to be used in applications where product is immersed in water - it degrades it with time = no bueno. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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