[scrumpy180]

Can't afford to get a brickie in to do the job, and can't find out what the mix ratio is for the Sand-Cement-Lime-Entrainit (platiciser) ......can anyone help as google and you-tube not proving very fruitful

[stufe35]

5 sand
1 cement
0.5 lime

Have you bought a pointing gun ?  Makes the job a breeze.

[scrumpy180]

Thanks. What about the plasticiser (Entrainit) ??

No, haven't bought a gun ....going to do it old school with a trowel, my wind up radio, and a cold one ...keeps me out from under the wife's feet longer 

[Rupert the bear]

never heard of a pointing gun. until now , looks like I will be getting one as I have the end of the steading to do, thanks for the pointer ( see what I did there )

[Fleecewife]

Are you using lime mortar (if it's stone you're working on)?

You can use washing up liquid as a plasticiser.

We have guys repointing our house right now, and they use a pointing gun, then someone else comes round with a damp paint brush to smooth it off.  Main thing is to get all the old stuff out with a drill first.  I'm glad they're doing it, not us.  It looks lovely 

[stufe35]

For plasticiser read the label on the bottle, usually about a capful in a mixer load.  This does not affect the performance of the mortar once set, just makes it easier to apply.

I strongly encourage a gun, it gets the mortar properly into the back of the joints.

[pgkevet]

For a fancy colour match to old mortar I came across the idea of dissolving a chunk of the old stuff in brick acid to see the original sand colour shade....but then if going that far one would probably be sand or water blasting the whole surface too for the original appearance.

[scrumpy180]

Thanks guys - very helpful - I feel a wee bit more confident about tackling the job now. Will be good to get the old barn back up together and restored 

[oldwolf]

do not use washing up liquid, use a proper plasticiser, its not that expensive.