Creating A Mosaic Bistro Table in 8 Easy steps.
Click on a image for a larger view :)
) 1. First Decide on Rhino board or Hardibacker and outline your cut. I would recommend you get 1/4" hardibacker for most applications. "I used 1/4" hardibacker on this bistro table. I used a Jig saw I bought at Home Depot for $30 but you can use a utility knife to score and cut your piece. If you plan on making allot of tables its a great investment especially a great gift when you want to make something special for someone you love..." |
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) 2. Cut out your piece and make sure it fits into your bistro table. "Make sure you make a line on the table and on the hardibacker as a marker so you know how it fits in when you take it out or you will learn the hard way when you take it out to work on it or to paint it." |
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) 3. Make your Design and pick out your tile that you will use. "With this set I used some Rustic looking tile I picked up from my local tile shop that is just great. I made a design with circles and planned to use the same tiles within the circles. I thought this would give it a unique design once it was grouted and sealed. We will have to wait and see." |
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) 4. Layout all your tile following your pattern. "As you can see the pattern looks really neat ... I love circles! There is something special about them and Art, This Table will be called The Rustic Circle. Use your Imagination...When I pictured this table done I pictured myself soaking near the pool with a nice Iced Tea place right on one of the circles and I thought it would make a great conversation piece. We will see if it is. " |
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) 5. You want to do all your Painting before you glue down tabletop to bistro table. "I choose a hammered finish paint for this table, which can be purchased at your local hardware store such as home depot. You can use anything from a Regular Black Finish Paint to a Clear Sealant after you let it Rust a bit. It creates such a Beautiful piece, and whoever thought rust can look so nice." |
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6. Once Dried Glue down base using Liquid Nail. "I glued it down using Liquid Nail, this stuff is so tough once it dries it really would take a grinder and a hammer to take this puppy out. (believe me I have had to do it) It should dry within 24-48 hours. Make sure you don't put too much of a thick layer cause you don't want it to drip everywhere from underneath or you don't want it to sit too high above your dowel edge" |
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7. Then Grout your Piece and use White scrub Pad to clean up every five minutes till you are satisfied with your piece. "Here is a picture of the pad by itself. When you are grouting these pads work some wonders especially when working with Mosaics then will tend to get caught up a bit but they are tougher and less messy then the bulky wet sponges. Try one out I know you will like it allot. they also tend to shine up the tile and give you a great look of what your piece will look like when complete." |
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) 8. Sealing your piece and enjoying it. |
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