Hello all I need help. I know this is the place to get it!

I built a show for a friend about 8 months ago. It is holding up great with one exception. I placed a rope trim around the top front of the bench. It is not a ceramic material rather some sort of epoxy material. The reason I say that is because it smells like some sort epoxy when you cut it....

Anyways it is very smooth. The first time I tried thin set and water. It popped off in no time. The second time I used thin set and admix. It lasted a bit longer but popped off just the same.

Before setting it for the second time I took my angle grinder and ground some grooves to have a few rough places... You can tell where the thin set formed inside those groove but didn't help....

At the end of the day nothing is bonding to these decorative pieces... What can I do to permanently fix? I attached a picture to show what I am working with.

72ranger,

Your pictures don't work. You should try to post them through http://www.imageshack.us.

The piece is coming loose from the deco piece, or the thinset is coming loose from the bench? Or both?

The thin set is holding perfect to the bench/Kerdi. It is coming loose from the deco piece. That is to say the deco pieces are just as clean and smooth as when I put them on...

Here is my thought. The deco pieces are 12" in length and 1" wide. So it does not have a lot of surface area for the thin set to hold to, and the bottom side of your legs would be resting on these pieces.... I am thinking I need to purchase wider pieces more like 2"???? Your thoughts on that?

I will try to reattach my picture using the link you provided. I can also send someone a couple of pictures via email...

Give this a try... If you click on the picture it will re-size for viewing. Thanks!!

http://img293.imageshack.us/my.php?image=benchtrimvs2.jpg

What brand and type of thinset and Latex additive did you use?
Has the Kerdi fleece been damaged?

Did the pencil mould have a chalky residue on the backs?

The photo doesn't tell me much. A close up shot of the trim pc or the back of one of the trims would be better.

The deco pieces were straight out of the box and appeared to be clean. The Kerdi is in perfect condition. Remember the mortar is stuck very nicely to it. I went to Lowe's and found a piece that is almost identical to what was used. I took pictures and added them to this post.

I went to a couple of local tile stores during my lunch break. The response I got was I didn't let it cure for 10 days before letting them use the shower. It was more like 2-3 days...

The both said and option is to use a two part Bondo. I don't really want to, but am up for anything that will work...

Those pictures didn't upload either, try this.

http://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=backjo2.jpg
http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=topxd1.jpg

But what thinset did you use?

What does 10 days have to do with anything?
It usually takes thinset and grout 21 to 28 days to fully cure and about 7 days for an initial cure.
72 hours after grout has been placed is generally enough time before full water exposure.

Versa Bond White from Home Depot.

The first time was without latex additive, second time with.

The more I think about it, the first time I attached them the shower wasn't used for about 2 weeks minimum. He was having a problem with his steam unit and didn't want to even use the shower until that got fixed.