How To Make Fake Concrete for Dioramas and Miniatures wit XPS Foam!

In this video, I'll show you how to make pink XPS foam into realistic fake broken concrete. You'll learn techniques for adding texture, staining, weathering, and dry brushing the concrete to achieve a convincing look.
We'll also explore three surprising wash options: Vallejo Game wash, shoe polish, and acrylic paint. Get ready for some surprising results!
I hope you enjoy this DIY how to video!
Thanks for visiting DR Toys, and as always...
"It's a great day to be a toy nerd!"

[@Iskelderon]

Respect that you included the most important part.
Most people think a mere blackwash solves everything, but real environment objects have a range of colors to their imperfections.

[@DRToysCreations]

Just a subtle hint of a few colors goes a long way.😃

[@chiparooo]

Very cool technique! Integrating some wire to a split piece or sticking out of a single piece to simulate rebar might look pretty good as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@MakinHicks]

Love that Behr “Lunar Surface.” These look great!

[@johnkelley9877]

Very neat idea Dave! The fake concrete looks great. Thanks for sharing this idea.

[@Chilly_Billy]

That's a great idea! The debris looks very realistic.

[@SeorkMaxx]

I always get happy when you post and these “simple” things are just as important as the bigger builds👍

[@DRToysCreations]

Glad to hear it!

[@arkham67]

Great advice to not be afraid. I often hear people say that they are afraid to paint something in case they mess it up. I always say that the absolute worst outcome is that they have to repaint it. It’s no drama, it’s just fun.

[@DRToysCreations]

Totally! I couldn’t agree more.😃

[@h8yuns]

This looks great! Would love to see more videos like this on how to do big pieces of debris and wreckage, etc for dioramas and gaming terrain. Really like how you make it clear that there's no great demand for this or that paint, and how you use unorthodox products like shoe polish. Thanks a lot for posting this!

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks. I will think about what other videos I can do to for stuff like this.

[@Magurae]

This „Just do it and have fun: it is cheap foam“ is still one of the hardest parts of modeling

[@DRToysCreations]

Totally agree. It’s something I’m still trying to learn myself.😃
I think the “fun” part is when you have a little break though and figure something out that you didn’t know before.😃

[@garzilla7123]

They come out really nice, and you are so right there are so many ways to get the effects you are looking for. I've seen it done with different grits of sandpaper too. But I really liked how you used the real concrete powder to get the effect. Cool Idea 💡
👍👍👍

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks.

[@harrymedina7470]

Excellent Idea Thanks for Sharing

[@chanelvuitton1909]

That was a fun, informative video! 👏🏻

[@cerisekappes580]

Really cool technique 😊😊😊

[@marsgarage8217]

Now that's something I will DEFINITELY use on my car and Gundam Dioramas, thanks again for doing this Dave.👍
Have a great one bud.

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks, you too!

[@MA-CINEMA]

Even though it's made of styrofoam, it has a sense of weight. I love making dioramas, so I'm going to try making one. Thank you for your educational videos. Making things is fun.😊

[@DRToysCreations]

Sure thing!❤️

[@9daywonda]

Quite good texturing there DAVE.

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks.

[@alisonwhou]

Great job! Hey, dioramas need realistic background pieces. It's just as important as the item you are displaying. Nice technique and a good tutorial.

[@DRToysCreations]

Thank you very much!

[@jazzmusician46]

Hi Dave. Thank you for this video. You know I love all of your videos that make different figures. This one is particularly helpful given I am about to start my first diorama. It’s going to be the ANZACS in a trench during the Gallipoli campaign. I’ve made heaps of planes and tanks with weathering. Now I’m trying something a little different. Your techniques are so welcome. Look after yourself my friend, Graeme. PS…I’m looking forward to your next video. ❤️

[@DRToysCreations]

You are so welcome. Glad to be a little help.😃

[@michaeldumas9203]

Cool, thanx. I like these kind of videos.

[@DRToysCreations]

Glad you like them!❤️

[@leflstopmotion]

Good Idea!

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks!

[@MTB214]

It came out great!

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks

[@garybuettner7920]

Cool. I’d like to try to do something with concrete. I’m inspired to try it. (I think the builders left a bag of grout in the garage.)

[@DRToysCreations]

😅 grout would totally work as well!

[@dioramagerry2581]

Beau travail ✌bravo

[@DRToysCreations]

Thanks

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

👍👍

[@BPCustomCreations]

Haha nice timing! I've been working on a diorama with concrete in it. I tried a different method this time but I think it came out great. The shoe polish is a cool idea. Does it dry or is it oily?

[@DRToysCreations]

It totally dried with no issues.

[@urushi-art]

🪨

[@DRToysCreations]

😂