Vinyl and Linoleum Flooring - Another Self Stick Tile question...

I know there is a lot a questions regarding this stuff, so sorry for posting another one.

I am in the process of installing Armstrong self stick tiles to a basement floor. I laid a couple down and noticed they arent holding too well. After some research on here I saw people recommending s-185 primer and Henry's 430 clear adhesive.

My question is, Should I use both? Or just one or the other?

If you're going to use the clear thin spread, I'm not sure the primer is necessary. I've put down a lot of VCT and never needed a primer. What you're doing, in effect, is installing a cheap version of VCT with the same install method as VCT. Just in case you're not familiar with this kind of glue, I'm going to give you some instructions. If you already know how to use it, disregard from here.

The stuff will be pretty thin and runny when you dump it out of the bucket. It will most likely be an off or light yellow color. You'll need a small notch trowel, similar to the one used for sheet vinyl. Spread the entire area you intend to install in a day. As you're spreading, be very meticulous about watching what you're doing and don't leave globs, dribbles, or ridges. Get it all a consistent thickness as you go. When you're finished, go have breakfast or catch a couple fish. No sense wasting the drying time. When you get back the glue should be ready. When you put it down, it will be colored and you won't be able to see the floor through it. As it dries, it turns clear and you'll be able to see your control lines through it. If you try to walk on it at this point, take a lunch because you'll be extracting your self for a while. As to the glue, the Henry's works, but I like working with the Roberts version better.

Thanks for the reply, Smokey, you seem to know your stuff. I assume Lowes or the depot sells the VCT?

I personally avoid those places like the plague, but I'm sure they do. I know HD sells the Roberts glue.

Haha, thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it.

Happy to help. If you find you need it, there's more where that came from.

Smokey, I did 1/4 of the room with your method, and it worked perfectly. Those bad boys arent budging now.

This room is going to be my new computer room. I bought my home in 2004 and just used this room for storage. Now since I have a little one on the way, I am moving my computer and such down to this room in the basement and the baby gets the computer room.

Here is what the old floor looked like (copy and paste to a new broswer window):

http://stang38l.yi.org/House/Computer%20Room/07070101_std.jpg

Heres what I got done so far. I will have baseboards on when everything is done.

http://stang38l.yi.org/House/Computer%20Room/07070408_std.jpg


Just thought Id share the results of your great advice!

Hey, that's way cool! Thanks for the pictures. We like seeing the results, makes us feel more involved. I have to assume you've discovered how quickly this goes once the glue sets up. Great job!

Ohh yeah, much quicker with the glue. Its awesome. I hope to have the flooring finished up over the weekend. Ill post pics when I have it done.