Mortar colour match

[gdog82]

hi

Can any brick layers on this forum help with matching this mortar colour? I’ve tried white cement with white washed soft and also builders sand(orange) but one is too white and the other too orange. 
 

thanks 

 

[Bonner]

On a previous house, I did about 10 different mixes before I arrived at a close match. Even then the colour changes with age. Try another builders sand (bagged), a bit of Portland cement with the white stuff ...

[Temp]

That picture could be my house. Brick and mortar looks similar. Unfortunately all I know is our builder used lime. Not proper lime mortar but a mix. I would ask him but he's no longer around (deceased I think).

 

[Mr Punter]

How about white sand and normal cement?  I have had to get sand delivered from Cornwall to get the mortar colour looking OK.

[Brickie]

How long did you let the sample mixes cure before assessing? Can be a week or so before mortar tones down to its true colour. Could try adding hydrated lime in & altering the sand ratio slightly. 

[gdog82]

Thanks all, I’m just making up some samples, I’ll report back at the end of the week with some pictures 

[gdog82]

So I’ve made many samples, using white washed, building sand, grey cement, white cement and lime. But I still can’t get a good match and they are now a week old. I’m still not convinced it contains white cement. Any other ideas?

[Onoff]

 

 

I didn't want white or yellow. My mix was

 

3 builders sand
1 sharp sand
1 lime
1 OPC.

Edited March 12, 2023 by Onoff

[gdog82]

Thank you Onoff, that looks promising, does OPC mean Castle OPC cement? How grey is the cement? do you have a picture? Thanks 

[gdog82]

I’ve also noticed that the mortar around the flint is a different colour to the mortar used on the bricks? The brick mortar is more of the colour I’m looking for. 

[Onoff]

2 minutes ago, gdog82 said:

The brick mortar is more of the colour I’m looking for. 

 

That was 4:1 using bagged builders sand from Wickes.

 

The trouble is the sand colour will like change according to regional variations, what quarry it comes from etc. 

 

Then the same cement as above. Mixed with Everbuild 202 to the ratio on the tub label.

 

https://www.toolstation.com/everbuild-202-integral-liquid-waterproofer/p80460?

[Onoff]

It was intentional the flint mortar being a different colour. I didn't want the traditional "lime" white prevalent locally here but wanted a nod to it. 

 

The flint mortar has the addition of some lime for plasticity along with being wetted with the Everbuild 202 mix. I've then sprayed about 3 coats of concrete sealer over the complete pillar, bricks and all. Looks really good imo and brings out the black in the flints.