3-1 pointing mix

[philipbenham]

Hi all, I pointed some slabs using 3-1 mix and it seems to me that a mix this strong leaves the joint a rather unpleasant cement colour.
Does everybody use a mix this strong or is it ok to go to a 5 or 6 to 1 mix to get a more sandy colour? cheers all.

[mickg]

3:1 like you say will be very white/grey cement colour

I always use 4:1 or even 5:1 ratio but don't forget the colour of the mix can be different depending on what type of sand you use and where you bought the sand from

its alway wise to do a trial mix and leave it for a few days to dry, then you will see the end result

when your making your mix make sure you gauge the exact amount each time otherwise this will make each mix you make slightly different in colour

[lutonlagerlout]

it also depends what cement you use
blue circle seems to leave the mortar ultra-grey no matter what mix you make it
castle seems less so
you could try easipoint for some colour variations but if you have started its too late now
another alternative is to use white cement or add lime to the mix

most important thing is to keep the gauge exactly the same

nothing looks worse than multicoloured pointing

LLL

[Tony McC]

....and then there's the colour of the sand to consider. The red building sands we use in NW England give a rose-pink mortar, even @ 3:1

[lutonlagerlout]

phil is in surrey ,so i guess his sand was the yellow stuff we get down here.
any more thoughts phil?
LLL

[philipbenham]

Thanks for your replies.

I am just doing small trial areas till I get a reasonable colour.

Yes, the sand is light coloured, I bought it ready bagged at Wickes.

Today I bought some white cement which certainly got rid of the yukky grey colour though it is still too light in colour.

Will probably go to 4:1 or 5:1 mix to try and get the colour of the sand to come through, although I'm a bit worried that it may weaken the joint and shrink or crack.

This evening I bought some bagged sand at Focus, much darker in colour than Wickes and, weather permitting, will give it a try tomorrow.

The guy in Build Centre hadn't heard of easypoint, I looked it up on the net and sandstone seems to be the sort of colour I'm aiming for.

Thanks everyone.

[lutonlagerlout]

whoa whoa whoa

dont mix different sands form different sheds m8

I dunno where b and q get their soft sand from but its nothing like the local sand round these parts,same for wickes and focus

if you want a nice uniform colour easipoint is the way forward

choice is yours m8

LLL