pointing crazy paving

[kipper1066]

Does anyone have a good tip for pointing crazy paving so that the pointing is flush with the stones but not smeared over the edges?
I'm sure years of practice would help, but as a first-time crazy paver, I need all the help I can get! One thought I had was coating the stones with something to prevent the cement sticking hard to the surface, making it easier to remove any excess cement afterwards.
Any advice appreciated - Thanks.

 

[Thermo]

you need the following:-

a dry day with dry slabs

a slightly damp pointing mix, so you squeeze it in your hand and it holds its shape but doesnt let any water come out.

Patince and a dry coco brush.

work it into the joints and because its only damp it wont smear over the slabs. the residue that is left on or over the slabs, should be left there to dry off for a couple of hours then swept of with the brush.

Patience

and some patience

 

[bathjobby]

A very dry day. Take a watering can with rose removed and pour a lot of water into all the joints trying to avoid wetting the slabs, if you do wet the slabs, wait for them to dry. Then brush in your DRY pointing mix, brushing away any excess from the slabs. The water poured in earlier will wick up the mix it will go off.

 

[noseall]

A very dry day. Take a watering can with rose removed and pour a lot of water into all the joints trying to avoid wetting the slabs, if you do wet the slabs, wait for them to dry. Then brush in your DRY pointing mix, brushing away any excess from the slabs. The water poured in earlier will wick up the mix it will go off.

Oh dear.

 

[Thermo]

saved me replying Mr N!

The whole point of pointing crazy paving is that it takes on a much more structural element in holding the paving together as opposed to laying normal slabs. It needs to be done right to look good and hold the paving in place.

 

[kipper1066]

Many thanks! That's very helpful... though I must admit I was hoping for some sneaky trick that only the paving gurus use. For example, I had been thinking about rubbing a bar of soap on the top edges of the stones to create a barrier between the excess mortar and the stone, making it easier to scrape off. However, I bow to your expertise.

Once again, thank you very much for your advice. I'll wait for a dry spell and give myself plenty of time to do it!

 

[Thermo]

thats the key. if you use the right dampness of mix it wont stain. (that comes down to experaince of knowing when to flick it off with a trowel and when to leave it to dry off then brush it off!)

work it well into the joints as well.