Purchase cement molds online or at specialty stores.
Rubber molds for pouring intricate concrete statues often cost hundreds of dollars to buy or even to make yourself. The rubber interior of a professional statue mold is supported by a fitted fiberglass form. An opening at the top of the fiberglass case allows you to pour wet cement mix into the rubber mold. Strap fasteners let you to open the case and release your cement statue when it is dry. Your cement mold investment can pay for itself. For less than $20 worth of cement mix, you can make a large statue worth hundreds of dollars. If you sell a few statues you can even turn a profit. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Mixing Cement
1. Purchase a fine, sand-based cement mix or a cement mix with fiber reinforcement. Do not use a course aggregate unless you want a rustic, rough-textured finish.
2. Pour cement mix into your wheel barrel. Measure water in a pail according to the package directions.
3. Gradually add water while mixing with your hoe until you achieve a consistency of peanut butter. If you are adding a stain or liquid colorant, mix it into the slightly dampened concrete. When the mixture is moistened, but still crumbly, stop adding water and test it.
4. Squeeze a handful of wet concrete, and if it crumbles and falls apart, mix in a few more drops of water at a time until it holds together without crumbling. Test again; if water drips freely from the mix as you squeeze, it is too sloppy.
5. Coat the inside of your rubber mold thoroughly with a thin layer of mold-release spray. Line up the outer fiberglass case and secure the locking straps. Reinforce the outside with a few pieces of duct tape if necessary to keep it snugly closed.
Pouring Cement Statues
6. Shovel some wet cement mix into a pail with a pour spout. Pour concrete out of the pail and into the top of your rubber mold until the inner rubber mold is one-third full. Use your rubber mallet to tap the mold to settle the wet concrete.
7. Spend about two minutes tapping to ensure a smooth finish on your statue. Insert your piece of rebar straight down the center as reinforcement. It needs to span your rubber mold from top to bottom without sticking out.
8. Keep the rebar centered and away from the edges. If your statue has protruding parts, insert additional reinforcements such as chicken wire or more rebar. Continue filling the mold with concrete mix.
9. Stop pouring when the mold is 3/4 full. Again, tap your mold with your mallet for two or three minutes to remove air bubbles. Tamp down the wet concrete with a long wooden dowel.
10. Fill your mold the rest of the way with cement mix. Tamp with your dowel and tap with your rubber mallet to completely settle the wet cement.
Curing Cement Statues
11. Spread a piece of plastic over the mold and use duct tape to seal it. Allow small statues under 12 inches to dry for 24 hours. Wait 30 hours for medium-sized statues, or 40 hours for larger statues.
12. Release the fasteners of the outer fiberglass case. Slowly peel the interior rubber mold away from the hardened concrete.
13. Fill a bucket of soapy water, and use a hose and a soft-bristled scrub brush to clean your rubber mold. Allow to dry and store the rubber interior mold in in a climate-controlled environment. This preserves the rubber and keeps it in good condition for reuse.
14. Cover your statue loosely with plastic and use duct tape to hold it in place. Spray your cement statue with a fine mist of water every few days. Keep shaded and finish curing for three weeks before moving, painting or sealing.
Tags: rubber mold, your rubber, with your, your rubber mold, cement into, Cement Statues