How to Mix Mortar for the Wet Look

Mix mortar with the proper ratio to achieve a "wet" look

Mortar is the common builder's material composed of Portland cement, sand and crushed limestone. Though a typical mix of these three materials may provide a sturdy mortar, once dried, the mortar can appear dull. To give the mortar a wet-looking sheen, you can easily alter the ratio of materials when you are mixing the mortar. Thankfully for those new to the mortar mixing process, you can achieve the desired "wet" look in under 30 minutes.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bucket
• Portland cement(white)
• Washed sand
• Hydrated lime(crushed powder)
• Spade
• Water

Instructions

1. Position a plastic bucket next to the site where you intend to apply the mortar.

2. Fill the bucket with 1 part Portland cement, 1 1/2 parts limestone and 3 parts washed masonry sand.

3. Mix together the materials with a garden spade of shovel to incorporate fully.

4. Add a small amount of water to the dry materials in the bucket, then mix to integrate it. Continue adding small amounts of water and mixing until the mortar has a consistency like a butter-cream frosting. Once it has reached this state, apply the mortar within 30 minutes to achieve the proper look and durability.

References

• "Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual: Completely Revised and Updated"; Editors of The Family Handyman; 2005