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Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:47 pm
by 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
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:02 pm
by 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
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 7:52 pm
by 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
Posted: Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:46 pm
by 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!
Posted: Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:58 am
by 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
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:38 am
by 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.