Doing ceramic backsplash in the kitchen. I've done plenty of tile on painted drywall, but I'm from up North, where the walls are smooth. Here in Texas it seems every house has this terrible knock-down texture on the walls. Anyway, I'm worried that the texture might somehow detach, causing a tile to break loose. I plan to use adhesive with a v-grooved trowel. 6 x 6 tiles with 3/16 spacers.

Anyone have experience doing this? Will my tiles fall off? Thanks.

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is the paint flat? (probably semi-gloss, so at least sand and prime)

having just removed tile from old painted plaster (now very wet and rotting - yuk - and removed) i have a newfound respect for:

a) moisture barrier
b) cement board backer board

that might be overkill for a backsplash, but mold on the the studs and in the walls certainly is, well, keeping me busy for the next few days.

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"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

Correct...
&
c) 100% silicone caulk at the 90 degree where the tile meets the countertop.

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'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Great tips guys, thanks. Too late for the cement backer. Paint is indeed a semi-gloss (didn't think about that). I'm going to scuff it up nicely with some sandpaper and will make sure to use silicone caulk at the bottom joint. Fortunately there's no sink on this wall (sink is on an island) and the existing wall is very clean and dry, no mold issues here. It's just a cheapie enhancement I've been meaning to do for a while...

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08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

I'd knock off any pointy projection curly cue thingies, too if you haven't already.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks, good point. I think the sanding should take care of those so that the surface is level. I'll make sure it is.

__________________
08 W251 R350
97 W210 E320
91 W124 300E
86 W126 560SEL
85 W126 380SE Silver
85 W126 380SE Cranberry
79 W123 250
78 W123 280E
75 W114 280

I'm doing a lot of drywall repair on my house at present. I would not personally put tiles directly on the texture. I'd remove it all first, down to the drywall itself and then see about the backing and barriers as the other posters said before putting tiles on it.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

To me once you knock off the high points the mud coated drywall is stronger than plain drywall, though I would paint with oil based kilz prior to applying my mastic or thinset to apply the tile. This will keep the water in the grout from attacking the water based mud or the drywall.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

as nasty as kilz (or any other oil based / shellac based primer ) is, if you can deal with the smell and/or evacuate for a few hours, it will give a nice, flat, well-sealed surface, as the previous poster recommended, and keep the moisture away from the drywall and mud.

happy trails!

__________________
"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."