Lime putty + sand = salmon pink pointing :-(

[Estrella]

Hey folks,
I am repointing my newly exposed chimney breast and was told to use a 3/1 mix of sand and lime putty. The problem is that gives me a salmon pink colour. Now I am very comfortable with my sexuality, but theres something about pink pointing that ain't quite right

I want a very light grey colour ? Any ideas ? I was hoping to still use the lime putty as it cost me £20 Also is there a better way of getting the mixture between the bricks rather than using a pointing trowel ? No matter what I do i seem to get it all over the face of the brick

 

[stuart45]

The type of sand has a big effect on the colour. Lime is quite sticky and can be a bit tricky to point with if you are not used to it. I would try a 1/2/9 cement lime sand mix.

 

[Estrella]

Well as I have bright white putty I'm assuming i need black or dark grey sand. Any ideas where i can get black or dark grey sand from ?

 

[Estrella]

Ooops , sorry missed the cement bit in your post. You are supposed to add cement to the mix ? I wasn't told that

 

[stuart45]

Adding cement will make it slightly grey. Pure non hydraulic lime mortar will take a long time to harden.

 

[Estrella]

thanks stuart, i'll give it a whirl tommorow

 

[Jasonb]

If you are using lime putty then thats non hydralic lime and is best used without cement, I assume its an old building that was built with traditional lime mortar.

As said the colour of the sand will have a vast effect on colour, have a look at this to see whats available

http://www.mikewye.co.uk/Lime Mortar sample biscuits.htm

Jason

 

[Estrella]

thats non hydralic lime and is best used without cement

One saying with cement , one saying without

Thanks for the link. Should I be able to source grey sand locally ? I didnt see any at our local builders merchants today

 

[stuart45]

There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to adding cement to non hydraulic lime. However as you are pointing internally and are looking to match the colour, then I would say that adding some cement is not a problem. A hydraulic lime might have given the best match.

 

[marshman]

sorry to read your sand colour problem,
you should use tuck pointers for your pointing, working off the back of a trowel,
hold the trowel level with the bottom of the joint just touching the bottom brick then push the mortar off the trowel into the joint with a tuck that is slightly thinner than the joint.
http://www.tool-up.co.uk/shop/diy/scan/se=11433/sf=cat
the cheap rst ones would do they are not harden steel and you can bend them,
I have one in my set and they are useable but you can't use them to
dig out a old bit of mortar that sometimes get left in the way.