Mortar dye - Can you use it after the event ?

[davowolf]

Here's a photo of some blues with standard colour mortar. How effective would it be to paint on a blue dye on this ?
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....{{and how do I get the photo to appear 'as is' rather than just the link ?...sorry to be an IT dunce.....javascript:emoticon(':(')
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Edited By Tony McC on 1289562653

[Tony McC]

I fixed your photo link, above.

Mortar dye works by combining with unhydrated cement, which means you can't apply it after the mortar has set.

[Bob_A]

Would an acid stain work?

Reason I ask is that I've noticed that acid stains have started to appear on ebay
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/roy-hat....0.l1313

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=....egories

Just realised they don't do a blue colour but would be interested if an acid stain would work.

[lutonlagerlout]

you could rake it all out and repoint with instarmac gunpoint or easipoint
but you would have to be a certifiable lunatic to do that to the very tidy looking job you have there

and mortar dye leaches out over a period of not many years
I wont use it anymore as after 3 years that lovely black mortar looks a nondescript grey
that carmine red is a barbie pink etc etc ad nauseum
the only true way to get coloured mortar is to use coloured sand
its a cracking looking job there ===> leave well alone
cheers LLL

[rab1]

agree with tony mate, leave well alone as the patio/wall look good together as they are.

[GB_Groundworks]

is that wood making the path at the top of the steps or slabs? seems steep if its slabs?

i'll re word...

this is a good job but it could have been a great job in my humble opinion if the straight joint next to the squaring off kit was blended into the squaring off kit, this would require you cutting your own curve.

to fit in witht he rest of the theme those little pillars would have been enchanced with a blue coping instead of the flags.

the the 4 600x600 in an + should be avoided also if possible,
but thats being ar$ey.



Edited By GB_Groundworks on 1289642135

[Suggers]

Giles - you are an arse (your words) - I thought we were here to help & encourage.
What strikes me, is how that space will be used? - thoroughfare to the garden - are you gonna sit there? - or is it just a very wide step ? - I think we should be told.

[GB_Groundworks]

it was intended t inform of where a good job could have been made a great job, i too am confused as to the point of the patio stuck in the corner like that, is it to cover up getting the levels of the footing wrong?

[jonnyboyentire]

I agree with Giles actually. I went to look at a job last week. Customer quite pleased with it, shame about all the mortar on all the flags, about 75m2 of injun, laod on soft and pointed in sharp, I gave up counting the four corner meets after 12 in the first 15m2, highly riven wee flags laid against the fall so mini swimming pools for all the frogs./newts/tadpoles that will colonise the drainage, which is the lawn, 6" higher than the patio falling towards it.
Laid by the builder, go figure. Extension looked good, patio

[lutonlagerlout]

i veer more towards suggers here
I could find fault with anyone's work if i took that path
but as my old mucka frenchy used to say "its easy to criticise ,when you weren't there"
we dont know the budget,the remit,the design,the client ,etc etc
you are 100% right giles
the same as the copper that stops you for doing 32MPH
:;):
anyway dye wont work
LLL

[joydivision]

you could try a mortar tinting service, or you can buy the tint and do it yourslf.


Like this:
http://www.extensionmatch.co.uk/motartinting.html

[Ted]

http://www.cemcrete.co.za/cretestain

You can buy blue acid stain but it is hard to come by; most firms do not sell it but this one above does. Green and blue acid stain is noticeably more expensive than other acid stains - not sure why exactly but it costs more to make for some reason.

Anyway, I wouldn't recommend it for colouring pointing.

[Tony McC]

I think, and I stress *think*, that it's because blues and greens are created by chromate ions, whereas reds, buff, browns and even greys are created via ferrous ions. Chromate, from chromium, is vastly more expensive than ferric product, from lowly iron ore.

[rab1]

You are correct Boss, again ???

[lutonlagerlout]

why do they add chronium to some cements?
LLL ???