By Frank Ross
One of the most common questions I receive in the Ask Frank section of the QuickShipMetals.com blog is related to backsplash installation. Most recently Karen was looking for a few suggestions to help her husband tackle this sometimes daunting task. I advised her that the most challenging task her husband will face is preparing the surface. To avoid having another surface to clean, wait until you have a clean surface before you check the fit of your metal. If you position the metal over the dirty wall, you’ll have to clean it as well.
Adhesives will not work properly if they are applied over oily or dirty surfaces, and kitchens are the epicenter of oil and grime distribution in any home. Those wonderful smells that waft up from a skillet of your favorite dish are accompanied by microscopic drops of the cooking oil or butter that is being used in your recipe. Frying or sauteing are the most common tasks that create airborne contaminates, but even the steam rising from a boiling pot of pasta with olive oil will eventually end up on the walls and surfaces surrounding the stove. That makes clean the project surfaces the first item on any backsplash installation project. Wash all surfaces with a decreasing agent and make sure there is no residue from that process. If you can see a film on the surface, it needs to be worked over again. Degreasing agents require a lot of clean water for proper removal, so don’t spare the water and rinse out your sponge or cloth frequently.
Once the surface is clean and dry, do a test fit to make sure you’re happy with all openings for outlets and switches. These openings can be cut by drilling a pilot hole and using a hand-held jig saw with a metal blade. It is also a good idea to hit the edges with a fine file to reduce the burred edges that can end up in fingers and hands.
Once you’re happy with the fit, apply the Liquid Nails and spread out the beads with a trowel or glue blade to ensure an even, uniform coat. Position the metal precisely then brace and clamp the metal, making sure the entire surface is flat and evenly pressured against the wall. For some applications, using tape on the edges will be adequate to hold the metal in place, but larger runs may call for additional pressure. Clamping and bracing can be easily done by cutting a length of plywood the length of your metal and attaching a 2×2 midway up the face. Cut as many lengths of wood as necessary for applying pressure evenly and clamp them to the leading edge of your countertop, using scrap wood to protect the surface of the top where your C-clamps will apply pressure.
Allow adequate time (24 hours) for the Liquid Nails to cure before removing the clamps, and the rest is pure enjoyment. Invite your friends over to admire your handiwork and accept all compliments graciously!
To kick off your own backsplash project, check out the stainless steel options at QuickShipMetals.com stainless steel. You’ll find some great ideas for upgrading your kitchen at our kitchen backsplash idea page.
Remember we’ll be happy to do custom cuts when you supply a detailed drawing.
