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Making Stones presented by Sandy Lux
October 8, 2002
Form
lathe cloth into the shapes of the stones you are creating. Connect the
different shapes together with wire. If structure is going to be large and
have considerable weight, you can reinforce with rebar.
There
are various types of Concrete mixes, but in this project it is recommended to
use a mix which already contains sand, such as Quickcrete Topping Mix. It
is also recommended to add some sand which makes the application more
workable. Add water, a little at a time, mixing as you are
adding. The mixture should be more on the dry side, not wet. You can
take your trowel and if it compacts well and smooths well, it is a good
consistency.
Once
you have a good mixture, apply to the lathe cloth, using leather gloves,
smoothing as you go. This is only the first application, so it does not have to
be perfect at this point. Allow to cure overnight.
Day
2 - Mist structure with water from spray bottle and apply a second coat of
mixture with leather gloves, smoothing more carefully with this
application. Once you have applied the second layer, cracks and crevices
can be created with a stick, or comparable tool, to create a more natural
look. Let your imagination soar. Let cure overnight.
Day
3 - Mist structure with water again, same as on Day 2, and apply mixture only in
areas you want to tweak or add additional characteristics. You can now
apply varying colors to create a natural stone look. Quickcrete makes concrete
colors as pictured. After you have a finished product, it needs to be
sealed with a sealer, such as Thompsons Water Seal.
If you have any questions, you can contact Sandy Lux, go to the members page for his contact info or contact Capital Area Pond & Water Gardening Society or you can post your question on our Discussion Board, if you would like different suggestions from numerous sources.