Mortar texture/colour match for property in Worcestershire built in the late 50s

TheJay

I've sent an email to Mike Wye and hopefully they will have a good idea.

FreeBear

oimi said: so I need to find a pale yellow sand I suspect

Quite possible that a local sand was used in the original construction. If you have some local bulk sand/aggregate suppliers, they may have a suitable sand in stock. Going to the likes of B&Q or Wickes, and you'll end up with a sand that could have come from the other side of the country.

Doozergirl

Which bit of Worcestershire are you in? 

TheJay

FreeBear said:

oimi said: so I need to find a pale yellow sand I suspect

Quite possible that a local sand was used in the original construction. If you have some local bulk sand/aggregate suppliers, they may have a suitable sand in stock. Going to the likes of B&Q or Wickes, and you'll end up with a sand that could have come from the other side of the country.

I'll have to find out.

 Doozergirl said:

Which bit of Worcestershire are you in? 

I've sent you a PM with a more specific location in case it has any relevance.

The reply from Mike Wye was a bit disappointing, referred back to the samples page when the images don't look anything like my sample.

Doozergirl

oimi said:

FreeBear said:

oimi said: so I need to find a pale yellow sand I suspect

Quite possible that a local sand was used in the original construction. If you have some local bulk sand/aggregate suppliers, they may have a suitable sand in stock. Going to the likes of B&Q or Wickes, and you'll end up with a sand that could have come from the other side of the country.

I'll have to find out.

 Doozergirl said:

Which bit of Worcestershire are you in? 

I've sent you a PM with a more specific location in case it has any relevance.

The reply from Mike Wye was a bit disappointing, referred back to the samples page when the images don't look anything like my sample.

Replied with a couple of local-ish aggregate companies.

stuart45

What style of pointing are you going to use? This can affect the colour.
Using a metal tool for example will give a different colour to a churn brush.

TheJay

I flatten it with a metal tool and then when it starts to go off, I roughen it up to match the finish of the other mortar with my finger.

stuart45

oimi said:

I flatten it with a metal tool and then when it starts to go off, I roughen it up to match the finish of the other mortar with my finger.

Once you've worn your fingers out use a piece of timber dowel, or some hessian.

FreeBear

stuart45 said:

oimi said:

I flatten it with a metal tool and then when it starts to go off, I roughen it up to match the finish of the other mortar with my finger.

Once you've worn your fingers out use a piece of timber dowel, or some hessian.

Or whack it with a churn brush.

stuart45

The churn brush is the best, but when people aren't used to it they can make a mess of the brickwork. Hitting when the mortar is too soft takes too much out of the joints and puts stains of mortar on the bricks. Waiting too long and you have to hit it too hard to have any effect. 
What I usually do if the mortar is still a bit soft at the end of the day is rub them gently with hessian and then the next day it's much easier with a churn brush. If it's your own property it's a bit easier as you can nip out later.