Mix for white cement for bullnose coping?

[sunkissed]

Hi. We are replacing 14 pieces of damaged cast concrete bullnose coping. Removed old, cleaned up beam, deterioration minor... in most areas. now time to set the new coping. was told the bed should be - 1 part white cement and 2 parts white sand. And use the same between coping pieces.

Does that sound right?

[czechmate]

Coping is nothing more than heavy tiling exposed to the weather elements.
Including the excessive heat collected by coping mass and transferrred to the bonding media.
Therefore, I submit that the proper bonding results would be better achieved by comercial grade flexible acrylic thinset.
It is also quite different process when this is done during the new pool constuction an the fresh, raw beam, or recontruction.
Grouting is than done in complimenting tones, selected by pool builder using sanded grout, never plain white cement mix.
That, is my 2cents.

[sunkissed]

Thank you so much for your response!! I have to build up the beam a bit due to detetioration - amount needed ranges from 1/2 inch to 3 inchs, with 1 being the norm... so i was going to use the white cement as described to build up and set the coping. no good?

I am kind of stuck with the grout as the section I am redoing is about 15% of the total coping running the perimeter of the pool and the rest was doing with white concrete.

Any insight on the white cement?

[czechmate]

White Portland cement is a wonderful and expensive material.
But its strong suite is its color which is mostly the only difference from the regular cement.
For a build-up substrate I would personally use a S-type mortar, sold in Home Depot or Lowe's. It is commercial pre-mixed material (mortar) with cement added.
It is used for fireplaces, strong walls and chimneys. I have used it last time as a raised substrate under my new pool tile.
It is easier to work with and has minimum shrinkage ( limiting the cracking while drying) compared with wet cement. (Just make sure you getting the bags premixed with sand!)It costs about 6 bucks.
Good luck!

[sunkissed]

Thanks for the info! I will use that in the areas of deterioration.

I already have the white portland cement and sand for the white concrete. Is is considered WRONG to use?

The mix I was given by my friend who has done pool repairs for many years - 1 part cement, 2 parts sand.

Does that make sence? no lime? He did not see the deterioration of a beam and therefore did not know the mortar bed would have to be so deep.

[czechmate]

Go to ehow.com, to get a full understanding of the compounds and its mixing.
You may want to add hydrated lime as well.