Adhesive is an integral aspect of mosaic art. The first mosaics I made were stepping stones, affixing pebbles to concrete pavers with thin-set cement mortar. Thinset is finicky, like its cousin grout. Once the process of becoming cement begins, you’re on the clock. Adding more thinset to a soupy mixture or adding more water or admix to a bread-dough type consistency weakens the adhesive qualities. Thinset also has a memory, and once you stick a pebble down, the thinset won’t be happy if you move it. I learned to mix small batches in deli containers to reduce waste.
Then I took a class, and was introduced to Weldbond: Universal Space Age Adhesive. How could anyone resist that name? And for me, the fact it was from Canada was all the better, since I grew up in Alberta. Weldbond is not for stepping stones; it is water-soluble. But what a relief from thinset. Mosaic artists can have long earnest debates about adhesives(our mosaic-geekiness showing through), and tend to be loyal to different kinds. I am a Weldbond Woman. If I was primarily a garden artist, sign artist or maker of public art, I can see how I would be swayed by thinset, but I make mosaics for the home, mostly inside.
Weldbond is a non-toxic white pvc glue. It can bond just about anything and works well with glass because it dries clear. I like working with translucent and transparent glass, to let light in, and increase the glowing intensity of color, so I don’t want a glue interfering. It does require patience, as it can take a couple weeks to completly turn clear if you are applying glass on glass, and if you grout too soon, the air can’t get in to complete the process. But this is a fine trade-off for not having to open the window to air out fumes as with silicone adhesive. It sets up within the day, but I always wait at least 24 hours before grouting. The longer is sets, the stronger the bond gets.
I gave up on the small bottles, which tend to clog, and have ordered it online by the gallon from ACE(it’s mostly carried by independent hardware stores and online mosaic supply shops). I pour a small amount onto a plastic deli lid and either dip tesserae in using tweezers, my fingers, or spread the glue onto the substrate with a putty knife. It takes practice to know how much glue to apply. You want enough to coat but not so much that it oozes up between pieces, clogging up the groutlines.
If I really am troubled by a particular piece already glued down and set, I brush a little water around the piece, let it sit 5-10 minutes and lever it up with an awl or other sharp pointy instrument. Sometimes a bit of the substrates comes up too, but it’s manageable. Wear eye protection if you perform this operation, because glass can splinter when you apply force and it’s not fully loosened. I make it a practice to leave individual pieces alone, until there are enough of them glued down to see if anything is glaring, or interrupting the flow, and then, I still remind myself that it’s the total effect that matters, and if I get in a mood and pull up more than I glue, it’s still never going to be perfect.
A final bonus with Weldbond–if you leave a bit out on the lid, and it dries clear, you can pull the clear vinyl-like disc off in a most satisfying manner.
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I love hearing technique stories…especially ones that mention geekiness as I can go on and on about technique and often feel quite geeky! :^) I like the process photo. Beautiful work!
tank you
Thanx! This was awesome info.
Can you please say if the glue holds well on upright glass art outdoors?
You mentioned ‘water soluble’ as far as stepping stones – but I’m wondering if glass glued to old. windows will hold – I think most of these kind of art pieces would be under porches or eaves but might occasionally get a blowing rain.
I love it that you said you could peel the dried clear off the bottle ‘in a most satifying manner’ ’cause I knew exactly the clean-peeling affect what you meant & how enjoyable that is – lol –
Hi Sheila,
The closest experience I have is with my trivets. I use Weldbond for those, and people have used them for coasters, with occasional condensation and dampness, and things hold well. As for upright, if it’s sheltered, I would think it is similar to the trivets. Something completely exposed, like a yard sign would worry me, but not occasional rain. Glad you understand the sisterhood of peeling glue!
Margaret