Concrete mix coloured grey due to colour of the cement used What Other Factors Affect Mortar Colour? Before we actually start looking at mortar and cement colour matching techniques, it’s important to understand exactly why mortar and cement colours can vary so drastically. While waiting for your test mixes to dry you can still do some preliminary tests by giving a section of your existing mortar a good soaking with some water. This should then reflect the damp drying state of your test mixes

Now that you know exactly how to create some test mixes and compare to your existing mortar to find a colour match, it’s now just a question of getting it done, but before you make a start there are a few further points to be aware of: Once dried, simply hold your sample board up to the existing mortar and look along the line until you spot a close or identical colour match and this will indicate the mix ratio to go for. The key to this whole process is consistency with the mix ratio. If you have a lot of pointing or repair work to do then to maintain a consistent colour match from your first mix to your last, everyone has to be the same. Even a small trace of dye can have quite a dramatic effect on the overall colour so you will need to experiment using quite small quantities at a time. On having a close look at the sand, pay attention to the size of the particles. If they are fairly small and of a uniform size, then it most cases this will be a standard building sand. However if small visible stone chips of varying sizes are evident this may indicate the possible use of sharp sand. Step 8 – Dispose of Acid SolutionAs we have mentioned above, the real key to matching mortar colour is to work out exactly what type of sand was originally used. With your solution prepared, pour in the course dust that you created earlier and stir it around to mix it up fully. Step 4 – Wait for Results Or if you’re looking for versatile, multi-purpose additives that can do it all, we’ve got some great products including the Sealorend Waterproofer, Retarder and Plasticiser that is especially handy when working with larger areas, as well as the SBR Admixture which serves as a bonding agent, sealer, primer and waterproofer in one. Get in touch with any local historians or custodians of local monuments or historic buildings as it is likely that they will know exactly where the majority of original materials used were sourced from.

The next most significant component of a mortar mix is the cement. Unless the existing mortar is particularly light in colour (light cream or white colour), in most cases a standard cement will have been used e.g. grey cement.If you have read through the above you should now know exactly why mortar can vary in colour and how a fresh mortar mix can be a totally different colour to existing mortar, it’s now time to look at the methods that can be used to actually colour match cement and mortar. Experiment With Different Mortar Mixes and Raw Materials One thing to be aware of is that it is important to mix the dye into the cement before you add the water. Aside from the techniques we have run through above for extracting sand from the original mortar, which is very effective by the way, you can also undertake some local research. Essentially, there is no science involved in matching a sand and cement mix to that of your existing wall or property, it’s really just a question of trial and error and also possibly a little research.