Coloured morter - Best mix

[Maximus]

I've now laid my patio and all i have to do is point it, i would like to point it in a light blue grey morter, i know i'll have to mix sand /cement and a quantity of black dye.

The question is in what proportions do i mix it? i do not want to chance mixing something that will be to dark, has anyone got a formula of the quants i should be mixing to achieve the colour i want.

The patio in question is approx 36sq mtrs,

Thanks for all replies.

Alan

[bodgeitandscarper]

All you need is a little bit of this and a little bit of that!! and a sprinkle of fairy dust!

Trial and error my dear Watson

[GB_Groundworks]

just make sure your consistent if its more than one mix, measure the dye in plastic cups etc.

the liquids work a lot better than the powders in my experience

as bodge says add it slowly to see what colour you are getting

[Mikey_C]

I have also heard that the liquid mortar tone work's better and lasts better. The powder stuff I have used before and you can get consistent mixes and old mug, tin "container" etc. does help for measuring out!

[lutonlagerlout]

dont add dye to the water add it to the sand/cement

I lost count of the times my old labourer added it to the water (varying amounts of water required) and gave me multicoloured muck

if you add a set amount ,say 50ml to the sand /cement the colour will be the same,bear in mind the dyes normally plasticise the mortar too
LLL

[Tony McC]

No-one can give you a 'recipe' for coloured mortar because of the natural variability in sands. We've had this discussion umpteen times: in the north and west much of the building sand is red, while in the south and east it tends to be yellowy-orange, but then some areas have a buff-beige sand and some have a silver sand and some...

So, essentially, it's a case of suck it and see. If you want a predetermined colour, then look at one of the resin mortars or buy in a pre-coloured lime mortar.