buff Indian sandstone pointing colour

[nick9one1]

I'm re-laying a 3 yr old patio that looks like no primer was used on the back of the slabs. The bed is full and solid, and you can see the grooves from the slabs in the mortar. The mortar seems to have just come away from the slabs leaving them clean.
to re-lay I'm using SBR:water:cement as a 1:1:5 slurry.

My pointing is is going to be sharp sand:cement 4:1. I was just going to use grey cement but Think it might look better with more of a yellow colour to compliment the paving. I've already bought a load of sharp sand - What sort of colour will this make if mixed with white cement (most people seem to use builders sand and snowcrete to make a buff colour).

 

[23vc]

I think you’re more likely to achieve the yellow colour using yellow building sand rather than sharp and white cement. From experience I wouldn’t bother using S&C at all to joint these, and use synthetic stuff instead.

 

[nick9one1]

thanks.
Previous experience with the synthetic stuff has put me off it. When we moved in the synthetic pointing was already coming out - patio was only 1 year old. I removed it all my repointed with sika fast fix. Followed the instructions properly and tamped it down really firm. It was still coming out with the pressure washer after leaving to cure for 6 months.

 

[JohnD]

I have buff bricks and the builders said the trick was to use orange building sand, which tones down when mixed with cement.

The final colour does not emerge until it is fully cured and then dried out, and preferably is weathered.

You can do a few test mixes in yoghurt pots. Make a note of the precise mix in each and set them aside until they reach their final colour.

 

[nick9one1]

thanks, makes sense. I have sharp and builders. I'll do some test mixes with both