Change Mortar Color
Maryann Mosca had an unfortunate loss in her life and now she's trying to finish a stone job and needs to change the mortar color.
She lives in Branchburg, NJ.
Here's what she sent me:
"Let me start by saying my husband was a carpenter and put on a 2nd floor and front porch on our house. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last December, and I am trying to finish what he started.
On the porch, he started the stonework, putting the wiring on. I since then, put up the scratch coat and the stone. I'm now grouting it.
You can see the different colored mortar. Photo Credit: Maryann Mosca
I chose to dye the grout, and although I'm measuring the amount of dye, water and mortar, this last batch I mixed, it dried 3 shades darker. I don't know how to change the color.
The porch is about 50 ft long. I have about two more batches to make and 'm done. It's about 1/2 bag of mortar a batch. How do I change to grout color without chipping it out?
Please help! I don't have anyone to help me."
Here's my answer:
Maryann, I'm sorry for your loss.
The good news is that for years liquid stains have been available to darken floor tile grout. They really work well.
I went to Amazon and they have pages of them. CLICK HERE to see them.
Be CAREFUL and read the reviews. You want a stain that's just like wood stain. Some grout stains are PAINT.
Do NOT use a stain that's more like a paint and creates a film over the mortar. TEST any product you buy on a small test panel you build.
The stain needs to be VERY LIQUID and seep deeply into the mortar.
Your biggest issue will be applying in very carefully with a tiny brush so you don't get any on the stone.
Tim built custom homes and did ultra-custom remodeling for 20+ years before launching his Ask the Builder media presence. He was selected as one of the Big 50 by Remodeling magazine in 1993. This award gave birth to Ask the Builder in October 1993. Tim also operates https://DrawPlumbingPlans.com. His @askthebuilder YouTube channel was the first home improvement channel on YouTube.