How to make mortar a grey colour?

[coolas4k]

Hi,

I've recently built and render a Wall in my garden and to finish it off I've ordered some concrete coping for the tops. As the concrete is a grey colour, I'd like to match the colour of the mortar with them. So how would I go about making my mortar a grey colour please? I have building sand and portland cement in the garage

 

[tony1851]

You can buy dye from the builders' merchants. It is available in liquid or powder, in various colours, inc black.

To get a good match is not easy - you may need to mix one or two small batches checking the proportions, to get the shade right. It usually sets a little paler than it looks when wet.

 

[loply]

I would think to make mortar a gray colour you would just make it a strong mix, ie not much sand and lots of cement.

You probably want to knock up a few sample bits to see whether it's right or not.

3:1 or 4:1 for example... instead of the usual 5:1 or 6:1...

 

[tony1851]

I would think to make mortar a gray colour you would just make it a strong mix, ie not much sand and lots of cement.

You probably want to knock up a few sample bits to see whether it's right or not.

3:1 or 4:1 for example... instead of the usual 5:1 or 6:1...

The higher the proportion of cement, the lighter the mortar will be.
Also, shrinkage will be more pronounced and lead to cracking.

 

[coolas4k]

You can buy dye from the builders' merchants. It is available in liquid or powder, in various colours, inc black.

To get a good match is not easy - you may need to mix one or two small batches checking the proportions, to get the shade right. It usually sets a little paler than it looks when wet.

Oh ok, didn't realise there were dyes available, will look in to it thanks.

I was aware of the problem with making a very low sand to cement ratio mix resulting in shrinkage and cracking which was why I've seeked for other ways to make a grey coloured mix.

I've got some hydrogenated lime left over from rendering my wall which I've just read about that could possibly make a grey tone to mortar? I've only seen one person suggest this though after many searches on the internet

 

[kazuya]

limes never made any mortar I've used grey

just get the dye the like was said earlier it will be trial and error if you want an exact match

 

[cardigansand]

You can purchase grey or brown rendering sands. I am guessing the end product would therefore be either grey or brown. Assuming that the grey render sand is only mixed with lime and water it should retain its 'greyness'.

 

[Norcon]

Hi,

I've recently built and render a Wall in my garden and to finish it off I've ordered some concrete coping for the tops. As the concrete is a grey colour, I'd like to match the colour of the mortar with them. So how would I go about making my mortar a grey colour please? I have building sand and portland cement in the garage

We usually use 3 parts snowcrete to 1 part ordinary cement and 4 parts building sand with a dab of unibond added.
That matches nicely with the concrete we use and is a close shade to precast. If that's what your trying to do?
Nicely mixed up and its ready for the grouting gunners.