SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thin-Set Mortar 1 QT

Let me start by saying this is my first time making mosaic bricks/stones. I used this mortar for the grout between the tiles, which I’m sure was exactly the wrong way to do it, but I did it anyway and it worked. Please allow me to reiterate: these are RUSTIC mosaics. (Of course we all know the word “rustic” in craft-speak means “it’s an absolute mess but I love it anyway.”) So having no idea where to begin, I used lock-tight glue (not this mortar) to attach the tiles to the bricks, let it dry a few days, then unused this mortar to fill in between the cracks. My first attempt, I used plastic gloves and it was…. unspeakable. For the next attempt I did myself a favor and got an old plastic knife and used that instead of my fingers to smear mortar in the cracks. Much easier, I wasted less mortar, and it was less messy. A wet sponge worked for cleaning the excess mortar off the tiles. Success! Still rustic, mind you. This stuff is strong but gloppy and I can’t imagine that it will ever be smooth and professional looking, at least in the capacity I’m trying to use it in. You’d probably have to get real grout (and be much better at this than I am) for smooth perfection. When I used the wet sponge to clean up the tiles, I was able to use my wet finger to smooth it out a little but not much. It’s perfect for my purposes because none of my diy stuff ever turns out professional and perfect looking. If these mosaics were perfect, they’d certainly look out of place with all my other misfit projects.So anyway, I did four bricks so far, as shown in the pictures. I did only the tops and one front face each (not the whole brick). And so far I have used less than half the container. So it goes pretty far.As far as strength, it is absolutely hard as a rock. I got a few globs on my work surface that dried before I could wipe them off. And they are stuck. Hard. I’m going to have to chisel them off with a screwdriver and hammer or something because otherwise they are not going anywhere. I take this to mean my bricks are just as sturdy.I am giving this 5 stars because it has worked perfectly for what I wanted and this rustic look is what is was going for. If you’re looking for smooth perfection, you will probably find this mortar frustrating at best. But I love it and will be getting more when it runs out.

Great product.

It dried up too quickly even after I thought I sealed it very well. Next time I’ll just buy a dry mix and add water.

It was perfect

What I know about tiling you could put in a thimble. I needed something premixed for a smallish project. It worked well and was easy to work with.

I got the 1 qt. size. Which was fine. But I really only needed it to re-attach a few tiles and as filler. Probably could have used spackle for the latter job.This stuff is heavy. You don't want to use too much, or you will end up squeezing it out between the tiles as you press them into place. Still, a better option than tile adhesive. Dries in a couple of hours. And by 24 hours, you get a bond as strong as stone.

So about 2yrs. ago I bought this stuff. My gf's apartment had a towel rack in the bathroom, that was held in by literally a tree branch & paint! I'm not sure who the maintenance team is, in her complex, but I've never seen anything like it before. The worst job ever doesn't even cut it. So one part of the rack was hanging down, off of said branch. I ripped it off & smeared the mortar mix into the holes and stuck the bar back on it. I went in periodically to continue to push the bar against the wall & mixture for a few days (O.C.D. on my part). 2yrs. later you could hang on this thing & it wouldn't give! I thought I'd write a review bc I just used it on my inside, downstairs railing. You CAN, sand it & PAINT over it, as it takes paint really well. I'm extremely satisfied at the way this mix holds up over time. I will definitely purchase again, should I happen to run out.

It was dried out before I opened it so unable to use it. You can see how dry it is in the picture.