To achieve a sand or cream color in your cement mix, you can use a specific combination of materials. A commonly cited method involves mixing soft yellow builders sand, white cement (like Snowcrete), and lime in specific proportions.
Based on the provided information:
"4 soft yellow builders sand, half snowcrete ( white cement ) and 1 lime". Will give a cream/sandy coloured mix.
Achieving a Cream/Sandy Color
The key to making sand color cement lies in the careful selection and measurement of your ingredients. Unlike standard grey cement which can dominate the final color, using white cement allows the natural color of the sand to influence the mix significantly.
Here's the breakdown of the mix ratio from the reference:
| Component | Proportion |
|---|---|
| Soft Yellow Builders Sand | 4 parts |
| Snowcrete (White Cement) | 0.5 parts |
| Lime | 1 part |
This particular blend is designed to yield a cream/sandy coloured mix.
Ingredients Explained
- Soft Yellow Builders Sand: This is the primary component that gives the mix its "sandy" base color and acts as the aggregate. The specific shade of yellow sand will impact the final color tone.
- Snowcrete (White Cement): Using white cement instead of ordinary grey Portland cement is crucial. White cement is made from different raw materials and processes that result in a lack of iron, giving it its white appearance. This allows the color of the sand or any added pigments to be more visible, resulting in lighter and brighter colors like cream or sandy tones.
- Lime: Lime (often hydrated lime) is sometimes added to cement or mortar mixes to improve workability, flexibility, and water retention. In this recipe, it's included as part of the specific formula to achieve the desired result.
Mixing Process
While the reference provides the proportions, standard good practice for mixing cement-based materials involves:
- Accurately measuring the dry ingredients according to the specified ratio.
- Thoroughly mixing the dry components together until uniformly blended.
- Gradually adding clean water while mixing until the desired consistency is achieved. Avoid adding too much water, as this can weaken the final product and affect the color.
By carefully combining these materials in the given proportions, you can create a cement mix that mimics the natural look of sand.
