mayenne_man Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I have a stone house in Mayenne where the majority of the house was re-pointed when it was renovated in 2005. The survey I had on the house indicates that it was re-pointed with a lime mix and as there are a number of small patches that need doing, inside and out, I have been trying to create a mix to blend in.The pointing is not a single shade but is generally a sand/buff colour. Here's the problem. I bought a bag of hydraulic lime and have two sorts of sand. One, quite a dark brown/yellow and one a much lighter colour left by the original builder. However, whichever one I use, the mortar always seems to dry into a pale grey colour which is not what I'm after.I'm aware that there are dyes on the market for mortar but somehow I cannot see the original macon going to all that trouble. I am mixing my sand 3 parts to 1 part lime. I have tried 1:2 and 1:5 but I still end up with a creamy grey colour. Am I doing something obviously wrong or does anyone have any pearls of wisdom?I should probably qualify myself by saying that my building knowledge is virtually zero!Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneySuckleDreams Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 I bought a bag of white sand from a local builders place and did a 3:1 sand:chaux mix and it comes up whilte. It's a very small merchant that does lots of different sorts of sand. Spent ages trying out different sands and stuff for pointing up around the pool. You just need to look harder I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted July 10, 2009 Share Posted July 10, 2009 Are you polishing the surface after the initial set to expose the agregates? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
water rat Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 It usually looks bright at first ,then becomes duller,but I know that doesn't help you match it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayenne_man Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hi Teapot, Yes, I've had a go with a wire brush. The 1:5 mix just about crumbled away and so I've concluded that it wasn't not strong enough. The 1:3 mix looked exactly the same after the wire brushing... Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callie Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 Hi Mayenne-manFor our pig styes we used the chaux/sand mix (ordinary chaux and river sand) but added a yellow ocre powder, you only need a little. The pointing came up in a lovely creamy gold colour. For the back of the house, we didn't bother with the dye and the pointing is greyer - but we didn't mind because it's at the back.The front of the house was done by a mason who used a mix of white chaux and yellow sand and the pointing is a nice creamy gold colour. I think the secret was the white chaux - he also added a 'whisper' of white cement.Perhaps it's a case of trial and error.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayenne_man Posted July 11, 2009 Author Share Posted July 11, 2009 Thanks Callie and I think you're right - trial and error. I think I'll try the ocre idea as I'm told they sell it in Big Mat. Rgds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted July 11, 2009 Share Posted July 11, 2009 [quote user="Callie"]Hi Mayenne-man For our pig styes we used the chaux/sand mix (ordinary chaux and river sand) but added a yellow ocre powder, you only need a little. The pointing came up in a lovely creamy gold colour. For the back of the house, we didn't bother with the dye and the pointing is greyer - but we didn't mind because it's at the back. The front of the house was done by a mason who used a mix of white chaux and yellow sand and the pointing is a nice creamy gold colour. I think the secret was the white chaux - he also added a 'whisper' of white cement. Perhaps it's a case of trial and error....[/quote]I wonder what the point of the wisper of white cement was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iceni Posted July 12, 2009 Share Posted July 12, 2009 Suggest that you take a colour sample to your local Point P or similar where you will find a colour chart. Select what you want and chart will identify the sand to be used with the appropriate chaux number.John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayenne_man Posted July 12, 2009 Author Share Posted July 12, 2009 Thanks for the tip. There is a Point P near me in Alencon and so I'll see if they can help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG MAC Posted July 13, 2009 Share Posted July 13, 2009 I think there's on in Laval which has got to be much nearer to you?Theres also a Big Leroy Merlin, Mr Bricolage etc.In Mayenne in the Industrial estate near to Noz and Sesame there's a large merchants as well a a Bricolage.I feel sure that if you live in Mayenne there will be little nee dto go to Alencon other than to get on the Peage!I get my sand from Javron les Chappelles and they deliver (Leppinay I think their name is) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mayenne_man Posted July 13, 2009 Author Share Posted July 13, 2009 Hi Big Mac Thanks for the additional info. We do occasionally visit Laval but we are on the extreme NE of Mayenne (in fact the field opposite us is in Orne) and so Alencon is not too far. Rgds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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