[Goosegirl]

Mods - please move if appropriate. I used a ready-made mortar mix to replace the old mortar between the paving flags on my patio but it dries to a very pale grey colour like plaster instead of a dark brownish colour like the old stuff. It looks awful but fortunately I've only done a little bit. Having made a mortar mix using plaster and sharp sand before when I did the same job at our old house which dried fine, I checked the bag description as the contents look and feel exactly like plaster but it does say ready-mixed for mortaring. Should I add some sharp sand to get the brown colour and, if so, how much?

[Growster...]

Mods - please move if appropriate. I used a ready-made mortar mix to replace the old mortar between the paving flags on my patio but it dries to a very pale grey colour like plaster instead of a dark brownish colour like the old stuff. It looks awful but fortunately I've only done a little bit. Having made a mortar mix using plaster and sharp sand before when I did the same job at our old house which dried fine, I checked the bag description as the contents look and feel exactly like plaster but it does say ready-mixed for mortaring. Should I add some sharp sand to get the brown colour and, if so, how much?

I wouldn't worry about the pale colour, the pointing collects dirt very easily, and will weather in time!

Did you try brushing in the dry mix we discussed some time ago? That would do the same thing!

[Kleftiwallah]

There are various cement colourants available at Homebase, Buildbase, etc.

Cheers,  Tony.