Repointing brickwork

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:28 am

I tried repointing with Fischer Express Cement. The colour is wrong.

I plan to chase out the mortar with a raker kit and an angle grinder:

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71o ... L1500_.jpg

I was wondering what the best ready mix mortar to use to get the best colour match.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:40 am

Distorted Vision wrote: ↑Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:28 amI was wondering what the best ready mix mortar to use to get the best colour match.

One that matches the existing colour.

Several companies do make ready mixed mortar in various colours/shades. e.g. Marshalls, Cemex and Tarmac. The hard part is finding out what colour yours is, but some provide colour matching. (Don't ask me how, it says they do)

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 10:42 am

I was posting here for recommendations from builders to get a good colour match.

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 1:14 pm

oh. ........................but we don't have any builders on this forum, and as I said, you can get ready mixed stuff in various colours from the companies I mentioned, you just have to choose the one closest to the colour you have, or go to a builders merchant and look.

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 2:21 pm

It does not look like a coloured mix to me, I think it is getting the same sand and cement combination that dries to match. I would suggest ordinary pit sand and cement is used in experimental small test batches to establish the mix combination ratio when the test batches have dried. The usual ratio is 3:1 so try a little more sand to get a darker mix. It is experimenting to get a good match.

DWD

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:02 pm

I am considering this:

https://www.toolstation.com/blue-hawk-mortar-mix/p93522

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sun Dec 29, 2024 4:07 pm

If you want a good match you need to make up your own mix using buiders sand and cement. My suggestion of a number bowl sized experimental mixes will establish the right ratio of sand and cement to get the finished dried colour. Everything else is just hoping.

DWD

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Tue Dec 31, 2024 9:41 am

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Wed Jan 01, 2025 2:18 pm

Thing is that ready mixed is almost always too grey or too white. DWD's advice is sound, but bear in mind that there are different cement colours and sand colours.

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Thu Jan 02, 2025 11:01 am

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Fri Jan 03, 2025 11:57 am

Looking better, not perfect but acceptable.

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:23 pm

I used 4:1 (Sand: Cement). I think 5:1 will produce a better colour match. Also I think that the plasticiser I used darkened the colour. I will try without.

I think I need to wait until the Spring because mortar won't cure in this sub-zero winter temperatures.
Unless I'm mistaken?

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:57 pm

To be fair that has dried out well, it will weather in time as well. The fact it is high up means only you know it is there, it is not in a sight line. A blind man would love to see it.

DWD

Distorted Vision · Post by **Distorted Vision** » Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:03 pm

I bought this from Amazon:

I'm unable to attach it to my Bosch GWS9-115AVH angle grinder. The diameter of the chrome collar is less than the diameter of the spindle flange diameter.

Do I need to buy a another angle grinder?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:26 pm

Distorted Vision wrote: ↑Sun Jan 05, 2025 12:03 pmDo I need to buy a another angle grinder?

You could, but would it not be cheaper to buy another tool, one that will fit your angle grinder.