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From mosaics to large format, porcelain to natural stone, inside and out, Dunlop tile adhesives allow you to take on any tiling job.
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CF-03 Flexible Fast Set Tile Adhesive
Fast setting, flexible tile adhesive suitable for fixing porcelain, ceramic and mosaic wall and floor tiles both internally and externally.
View our Product Selector Guide to find which tile adhesive is best for your situation, tile background and selected tile type.
Explore our tile adhesive FAQs to find quick answers to common questions, including application guidelines and best practices for achieving optimal results.
Q: What types of tile adhesives are available in the Dunlop Adhesives range?
Dunlop Adhesives offers three main types of tile adhesives:
Ready-Mixed Adhesives: These come pre-mixed in tubs and are ready to use directly:
Standard Cement-Based Adhesives:
Flexible Cement-Based Adhesives:
Q: What's the difference between standard setting and rapid setting adhesives?
Standard setting adhesives (like Dunlop CF-24 or CX-24) typically take 24 hours to set before you can grout. These give you more working time to adjust tiles and are ideal for larger projects where you need extra time.
Rapid setting adhesives (like Dunlop CF-03 or CX-03) set in as little as 3 hours, allowing you to grout the same day. These are perfect for fast-track projects, quick repairs, or when working in colder conditions.
Q: How do I correctly mix Dunlop cement-based adhesives?
Q: What size trowel should I use with Dunlop adhesives?
The size of the notched trowel depends on the size of the tile:
For Dunlop CLF-03 when being used with large format tiles, a large format solid bed trowel is recommended.
Q: What is solid bed fixing and when is it required?
Solid bed fixing means achieving 100% coverage of the adhesive on the back of the tile. It’s required by British Standards for:
To achieve solid bed fixing with Dunlop adhesives:
Q: How much Dunlop adhesive will I need?
Coverage depends on the type of adhesive, tile size, trowel size, and substrate condition. As a general guide:
Consult the specific product’s technical data sheet for more precise coverage information, or use the product calculators on the product pages.
Q: Do I need to prime surfaces before applying Dunlop tile adhesives?
Yes, priming is often necessary:
For plaster walls:
For cement:sand screeds and rendering:
For anhydrite/calcium sulphate screeds:
For wooden floors:
Q: How long should different substrates dry before tiling?
Q: Can I use Dunlop adhesives in wet areas and showers?
Yes, but choose the appropriate adhesive:
In all wet areas, Dunlop recommends using a waterproofing system like Dunlop Shower Waterproofing Kit before tiling.
Q: Can I tile directly onto plywood or wooden floors?
For wooden floors, Dunlop recommends using a decoupling system:
Alternatively, overlay with a suitable tile backer board (minimum 15mm thick) prior to tiling.
Q: What is the pot life and open time of Dunlop adhesives?
Pot life (working time once mixed):
Open time (time during which tiles can be applied after spreading):
Working times may vary depending on temperature and site conditions.
Q: Can I use Dunlop adhesives for tiling over screed with underfloor heating?
Yes, several Dunlop adhesives are suitable for underfloor heating:
The underfloor heating should be commissioned before tiling begins and then switched off for at least 48 hours prior to tiling. The heating should remain off for at least 2 weeks after grouting is completed.
For additional protection with underfloor heating, consider using Dunlop ProCover Uncoupling Mat between the substrate and tiles.
Q: What is the maximum weight of tiles I can apply to different wall surfaces?
Maximum weights for tiling (including adhesive):
Always check that the wall structure is capable of supporting the weight of tiles before beginning your project.
For technical assistance with any Dunlop adhesive product, please contact the Dunlop Technical Helpline on 01782 591120.
“When using our cement-based adhesives such as CF-03 or CF-24, always check the condition of your substrate first. What many builders overlook is that different substrates absorb moisture at different rates, which directly affects the performance of your adhesive. For highly absorbent surfaces such as new plaster or screed, priming isn’t just recommended – it’s essential to get the full open time from your adhesive.
And here’s a trick for fast-track jobs: with our rapid-setting products, you can still get plenty of working time by mixing smaller batches as you go, rather than one big batch. This gives you all the benefits of fast setting without rushing your application. Remember, the perfect tile job starts long before the first tile is laid!
David Hilton – Technical Support Manager
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