How To Cast Concrete Molds

When attempting to remodel outdoor areas of the house you may have need of concrete decoratives, such as finished bricks or cobblestones for walkways, and small figurines for your garden. But finding something really unique in home and garden stores is difficult and expensive. There is another option. You can make your own concrete mold and use it to produce as many castings as you like for your outdoor projects. This guide will explain how to create and use molds specifically designed for concrete materials.

Things You’ll Need:
Pourable mold rubber

Item to be cast (brick, small figurine, etc)

Leak proof container

Sealing Agent

Release Agent

Concrete release agent

Concrete

Mixing pail

Razor blade

Drill w/ wide gauge drill bit

Steel File

How To Cast Concrete Molds
Step 1:
Seal the pores of the item to be cast in a mold. Use a store bought sealing agent, shellac, or paste wax. Use at least two coats and let it dry fifteen minutes between coats. Set it aside to dry.

Step 2:
Use the sealing agent again on the inside of the leak proof container. A rubbermaid container will work well, though cardboard can be substituted if the mold is very small.

Step 3:
Use the release agent on the item and the container. They can be found in hardware stores, usually in a spray can. What you specifically want is an agent that acts on latex and rubber polysulfate.

Step 4:
Take your pourable rubber and mix it up in an expendable jug or pale. It will typically come in the form of a liquid agent and a powdered agent which must be combined before it can solidify.

Step 5:
Pour an inch or two of the rubber into the bottom of your container, making sure it’s evenly coated.

Step 6:
Wait a few moments for the rubber to develop a slight skin.

Step 7:
Press the item to be cast into the rubber, making sure that it does not reach the bottom of the container.

Step 8:
Pour the rest of the rubber over the top of the item, covering it completely. Allow to dry for the rest of the day.

Step 9:
When the rubber is hardened, remove it from the container. If you coated the walls of the container sufficiently it should slide free.

Step 10:
Use your razor to bisect the rubber. By the end you should have two mold halves, allowing you to remove the original cast item.

Step 11:
Place the empty mold halves back together and fit them back into the container.

Step 12:
Use your drill to bore a large hole, maybe an inch wide down into the core of the mold. Your mold is complete.

Using Your Concrete Mold
Step 1:
Spray or apply your water-based concrete releasing agent to the insides of the mold halves. It is necessary in order to remove the concrete items you cast from the mold.

Step 2:
Fit the halves back into their container.

Step 3:
Mix your cement and pour it into the hole bored into the top of the mold.

Step 4:
Agitate and shake the mold after the concrete is poured to pull air bubbles to the surface. This will help prevent air pockets ruining the detail of your finished concrete piece.

Step 5:
Let the concrete dry for at least a day before removing from the container and the mold. It should peal away from the mold easily.

Step 6:
Use the file to remove any jagged edges or unwanted marks to the finished piece.

Tips & Warnings
Depending on the level of detail and shape of your mold, you can choose different types of pourable rubber, the stiffer the mold, the more castings can be made from its before it begins to degrade, though these castings will have less detail than a mold made with soft and supple rubbers. All the necessary materials can be found at any well stocked hardware store.
Most mixable rubbers smell terrible and can cause coughing fits, wear a respirator or learn to hold your breath when mixing them.