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Staining mortar-joints between Marshall's pavers?

Hello,

A designer has asked us to stain the mortar-joints/pointing on a terrace we are constructing, using Marshall's Fairstone 'Midnight Blue' pavers.

This is to match the pointing of existing brickwork that has stained mortar matching-in with engineering bricks (please see attached image).

Any advice on materials and technique is appreciated.

IMG_2383.jpg

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  • PRO

    the image of the brickwork you posted is using pre mixed mortar,  in my opinion you are better using a polymeric jointing product supplied by Marshalls (weatherpoint 365) or GFTK, there will be a shade difference to the grey of the engineering brick but this is negligible after a few months of weathering as any product you joint paving with in a horizontal position will change colour slightly

    an alternative is to use an external grout what will be available in different shades, this will match the colour of the brickwork pointing from day one but will discolour faster due to being a lighter colour to start of with

  • Cheers Mick.

    I have used a brush in product in the past, but I recall it didn't perform particularly well, and others I've seen along the way didn't seem to work as well as mortared joints...Perhaps the technology has moved on a fair bit recently?

    You can vouch for using either/both the Weatherpoint 365 or GTFK? 

    Tbh, I'm wary to leave my tried and tested semi-dry mortar method. I guess I hoped there was a colour additive I could add in with my paddle mix...

    If not then perhaps the 365 is the go - the finished images I've found look more like mortar than the GTFK does, IMO.

    Alternatively, any particular exterior-grout products I could look in to?

    Appreciate your time.

    • PRO

      I have used both Marshalls weatherpoint 365 and GFTK extensively, the main difference is the size of the grains of sand with GFTK being a smaller grain so it looks smoother

      that said both are good products and are suitable for use with the Marshalls slate paving and will give a much better finish than a semi dry mix

      if you add a colour dye it tends to get bleached out with the sun, we used to use a black dye for making good driveways at the pavement but one season of sun and the colour had disappeared to a pale grey

      • Sound Mick, thanks.

        Found a page of you using GFTK on LJ...superb bit of landscaping and the GFTK looks like a great product, so I'm sold.

        There are quite a few types of vdw though - I'm not sure what type to use.

        I think I'll give think I will give NCC Streetscape a bell tomorrow to get some more input, and hopefully place an order.

        Any more advice on what GTFK to use for Fairstone slate in a domestic garden please? Also, I was looking at 20mm joints for this terrace, is this not too big for this product (or do you usually go smaller joints in slate in random pattern)?

        Final question mate, do you typically use a bond-bridge (such as SBR) on slate, or do you think we'll be ok without? I've laid these pavers without a BB before and didn't have a problem, but just thought I'd see what you thought...

        Ta.

        • PRO

          Give NCC a ring they will advise you what is the best to use on that product, use lots of clean water and you cant go wrong

          I go much smaller, 8mm - 12mm max but I lay it coursed not random as it looks better in my opinion

          yeah I use a bond bridge, used to use SBR mixed with cement and brush on the rear of the paving, now we use Instarmac Pro Primer

          Instarmac Pro Primer

          its not cheap but sticks like **** to a blanket

          • All very useful Mick, thanks.

            One more question if I may, I need to fix some slate cuts to make step-risers.

            I think I will be fine, but seeing as you are around; any advice/preference for sticking slate vertically to formwork please?

            Great to have someone willing to share their expertise like this, nice one. 

            • PRO

              we use exterior tile adhesive with the pro primer brushed onto the back of the slate

              post some photo of the completed patio

              • Cheers Mick, will do.

    • PRO

      Mapei exterior grout are good

      mapei exterior grout

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