Sandy Colored Grout

dirt diggler

need to match existing grout ...

it is not cement/grey colored -- but rather a sandy, tan color (and has a sandy texture)

im even wondering if some of this "color" is due to weathering (the existing grout is approx 15 yrs old) ... I know I can't match weathering ...

however, does anyone have any suggestions? need more details?

jvcstone

Are you talking about tile grout, or masonry cement. Often times, white masonry cement will have a tan appearence if the sand is more tan than white. Some manufactures of cement also make a buff colored product rather than gray. Around here we use to have our favorite flavor of masonry for the different stones available. Tan, lite gray, dark gray, white etc, and then there are always the dyes too.

Matching that old mortar is quite a skill, but it can be done with some experimentation.

JVC

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stacker

when we have had to match older cement joints,tan colored,we used a little buff coloring in the mix.most lumber yards carry buff.it doesnt take much.

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dirt diggler

thanks guys ---

yeah, its for flagstone

have to do my best --- can't match the weathering, but i can get it close i think

Tscarborough

What I always do when someone brings me a small sample of their mortar to be matched is break it in half to get a look at the "fresh", i.e. clean color of the mortar, match that, then tell them to get some dirt from the yard and scrub it in a little after the joints have set. Works every time!

dirt diggler

Tscar ---

actually --- i thought about that

I cut a portion of the grout and its a typical cement color

I was thinking that maybe someone had just brushed a thin layer of sand on top of the grout

afterall, if it were dyed -- it'd be the same color throughout, no?

Tscarborough

Yes, and what often happens around here is that they use white mortar with the local red sand. When it ages or is acid washed it turns pink on the exposed side from exposing the sand, but when broken is shown to be normal white mud. Thus, to repair white old or acid washed mortar, you do not use red dye, you simply wire brush or acid wash the new mortar. The same holds for grey mortar with a red/tan sand.

tkle

If it's a pink flagstone,I got a good guess where that pink color came from.