Three Easy Steps To Make A Mosaic Tabletop
If you want to make a mosaic tabletop, then you need to follow the given steps carefully and achieve the desired result:
Step 1: Designing The Mosaic
- First of all, you need to lay a large piece of your butcher paper over your tabletop and secure this paper around your table's edges by using a tape. If the butcher paper is not extra wide then tape 2 pieces together to fit the paper over your entire table.
- Next, cut your paper piece according to the shape of your table. Simply use your scissors to cut around the table edges. The applied tape will hold your paper in place when you cut the paper around edges. Once done, now remove any leftover tape and the paper from your tabletop. It should be the same dimensions according to your tabletop.
- Now smash your tiles, if you want to get an artistic look then you can easily create different shaped tiles by yourself. Simply place your tiles flat on your floor and cover them by using a towel. Then you need to use a hammer and smash your tiles into different shaped pieces very carefully. When you lift up your towel, your tiles should be in different sizes & shapes.
- It's time to arrange the tiles on your butcher paper. Lay your paper out on any different flat surface, like your floor. Collect the tiles that you want to use for your mosaic and lay them out on your paper because this will help you visualize what they will look like before you commit to your tabletop. It will also help you to keep the tiles organized as you continue to construct the mosaic.
Step 2: Painting & Sealing
- Sand your tabletop to a smooth surface to place your mosaic tiles. Use a hand sander or belt sander to sand any rough bulges & edges in your wood. If your tabletop is made from another material like granite or metal, you need to skip this step.
- Dust your table using your duster or any dry cloth to run over the surface of your wood table and remove any dust which comes after the sanding process. Go over the surface of your table with your hand just to be sure that there are no places left with your sander.
- Now you need to wash and dry your table. You just need to use your damp cloth and a bar of traditional mild dish soap and go over the surface of the table. Once your tabletop is clean properly, you can now start creating your mosaic.
- Next you need to paint the surface of your tabletop. Use your roller or any paintbrush for applying a coating of paint over the surface of your table. You can buy a latex semi-gloss paint made especially for furniture from any paint or hardware store. The first coat of the applied paint will not be most feasible nor be darkened, so you need to apply multiple paint coats. Once you've painted your table, leave it to dry for a whole night.
- Finally, seal the surface of your table. Make sure to mix your sealer well before applying it. Apply a coat of water-based polyurethane sealer or oil with your clean brush. Read the product instructions when using your sealer or stain. The sealer will avert any water damage.
Step 3: Constructing The Mosaic
- First of all, you need to glue the tiles on the surface of your table. Using your tiles from the butcher paper, dab one side of your tiles & then press it hard into the surface of your table. Always work from the outside while using glue on your design. Once you're done gluing down your tiles, allow your applied tiles to set for whole night.
- Now you need to mix the grout according to the guidance. Combine your grout powder with clean water in your bucket and use your trowel to mix this grout until it forms a thick firmness. Read the guidance on the grout to get the exact measurement of water for your work.
- Smear the grout over your tiles and in betwixt the cracks. This is only to get the grout to go in betwixt your tiles and will also add to the look of the mosaic tabletop, make it flatter, and will help keep your tiles onto the table. Use your trowel and work the grout over your tiles because this will force some of your grout in betwixt your tiles.
- Scrape your excess grout with the help of a plastic card. Use your plastic card and then run it over the surface of your tiles. You will see that some grout will be left over after scraping but always try to get as much grout as possible with your card.
- Let your applied grout dry and wash off from your tabletop. Let your applied grout set for at least one day before cleaning it. Once the grout is dry, go over on the surface of your tiles by using dish soap and warm water. If your grout is not removing then you need to use your sponge to help scrub it. Once the mosaic tabletop looks shiny then you just have to wipe it down and dry it by using any clean rag.
- Finally spray sealer to seal the applied grout. Spray the sealer over the surface of the table and be sure to wipe down your tiles by using a damp cloth to avert any film from forming on your tiles themselves. Once the applied grout is soaked with the sealer, leave it to dry properly. Once the applied grout is dry then wash down your table before using your mosaic table.