Spent a full day trying to match a 100-year-old mortar color

The client wanted a perfect match for a repair on their old brick house. I must have mixed 15 different samples before getting it right, and the sun kept changing how it looked. Anyone have a better method than just eyeballing it?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_julia9d ago

Oh man, that sounds like a special kind of torture. I bet you started seeing mortar in your sleep. The sun shifting on you is the worst part, makes you question your own eyes. Honestly, I don't have a magic trick, but next time maybe try mixing under a big umbrella like some kind of mortar mad scientist. At least then the light stays the same while you slowly lose your mind.

claire_ross619d ago

Why not just take a chip of the old mortar to a paint store? They can scan it and give you a formula.

lilyt238d ago

Remember my friend who tried that scanner trick? It gave her three totally different colors from the same chip, like the machine was just guessing. She ended up back in her driveway squinting at samples anyway.