Concrete Acrylic Fortifier is a highly water resistant acrylic resin formulation designed as a bonding agent admixture for thin Portland cement coatings. It densifies surfaces and makes them more resistant to many chemicals and mild acids, as well as to the penetration of water or aqueous solutions, can also eliminate the need for wet curing.
Yes, the ridge is very important to have some good thickness there. The ridge is the main stress load for the entire leaf . It has to take upward and downward load,so take special care in that area.
Excellent video. Are those brown hard things in the beginning of the video, sand that is hard? Do you just put it under the leaves for contouring? Thanks.
I have watched several videos on leaf casting and I have very much enjoyed yours. Why can't you spray the leaf with Pam so it is easier to remove. It works with a mould for a stepping stone so why not a leaf?
Hi Cora. Sorry for my late response.The issue is ,that it's not the leaf that sticks it's the membranes (veins) of the leaf that trap the concrete underneath themselves.A couple other points would be ,pooling or over spray of veggie spray acts as a retardant to curing concrete and will leave an undesirable finish. Lastly, the residue left behind will be a inhibitor for good paint adhesion ,and will have an effect on the longevity of the painted piece.Hope that helps you out Cora ,Have fun and play in the mud :)
mrconcreteartisan Thank you for getting back to me on that. I am new to this whole leaf casting craft. Your explanation makes perfect sense and I understand now why you do not use that product. I am looking forward to watching all of your videos and learning how to make those beautiful castings.
Not sure of the gauge off hand.Yes galvanized.This particular one is cut up piecs of Blok lok reinforcement wire. You can also use binding wire that chain link fence guys use ,available at all large hardware stores.
You mentioned you had a show to bring them to, I was wondering if you sell these beautiful pieces, and if so, could you tell me a round about figure? I assume they're all differently priced depending on the amount of time you put in. Thank you in advance for your time, Paul
Hi Lydia,I think I have heard of some folks using hypertufa.I don't think the finish would be as detailed (I could also be wrong).Nothing wrong with giving it a whirl:)
Using a utility knife or exacto blade,slice the main veins length wise all the way back to the stem .Removing approx half the vein diameter.This should help you out with your cracking.Also on the backside use a little more concrete mix down the center portion of the piece. Good luck,let me now how you make out. :)
Ahh there you go.Do not cast them in direct sunlight .After they are cast and the leaf removed ,keep them out of the sun and covered with plastic.Spray with a spray bottle a couple of times a day for approx 10 days.This is referred to as a wet cure.Very important to build strength in your concrete.Sun is your enemy for freshly cast leaves.
Hi Forrest,all questions are good.Every place calls their sand something different,I buy mine buy the yard and sift out the big stuff.It should be fine sand.
Hi Patricia, I don't use nylon any longer ,AR fibers are best , the fibers and scrim if you are in the U.S. available at www.buddyrhodes.com/alkali-resistant-ar-glass-fiber/ If you are in Canada , www.sculpturesupply.com/list.php?sf=subcategory&vl=Alkali+Resistant+Glass+Fibers&cat=Reinforcing+Materials
Hey Donna,it all depends on the size of the leaf,but in general 2 to 3 inches.I have shipped ,yes,very nerve racking experience ,so we refrain from that now.Styrofoam peanuts work the best,really pack em in,and lots of this side up and fragile stickers,lol.Oh, and cross your fingers as you walk away from the post office.
I love the 3 yr paper towel trick !! My question. can these be made with morter mix? that already has the sand in it. I love what you are presenting...Thanks in advance :)
Most of those paper towels are in the bin now ,were getting kinda funky lol.I know the product you're referring to .I personally haven't used it but it seems a reasonable choice to make an effort with.Thanks for your kind words.
What are you using to hold the leaf bends up...I think you said napkins ;-) but wanted to be sure. I love your work. Truly beautiful. oh and where is your shop located at?? thanks!
susie jordan Hi Susie,Yes napkins is correct,actually this is commercial paper towel.You may also use small Styrofoam blocks as well.Store and shop are located in Vernon British Columbia.
Good morning Lydia .Well I just noticed your last name,If you are from the Chirkoff family in Vernon,I worked with Peter,and know Fred from Vernon Golf.Our store is right across the street from Vernon Golf and country club,Right next to sundance pool and spa.Our Address is 907 kalamalka lake road.Come in and say Hi!!Small world haha.
Wow it's a small world...I have been to your store a few times love all the stuff you have for sale and did see the cement leafs and the leaf fountain that you have set up in your store but didn't connect it with you...lol. Peter and Fred are my brother-in-laws...
Vickie Roskom Hi Vickie,thanks for your question.Well you're not the first to ask.As of now I haven't done a vid on the waterfall ,may do very soon.Our FB page has some photos,Unique garden art and gifts.
But honey, you're using my offset icing knife and stainless bowl!! LOL Nice work, I've made many but your tips will be incorporated into my next batch next Spring. My squirrels like to gang up all at once and have knocked mine off it's pedestal many times and eventually broke it. Now I just put them on the ground and they've endured beautifully. They are a bit difficult to clean if you don't stain/paint them. Our water is full of chlorine and soda.
Can you do a video showing how to put the fountain together? I would love it!
Thank you for sharing. Very informative.
Those are amazing.. How can I make these structurally strong enough to make chairs out of, like the seat portion. Would chicken wire be enough?
No ,I'm afraid it would need some significant reinforcement,and would have to be quite thick.
Why do you need the fortifier?
Concrete Acrylic Fortifier is a highly water resistant acrylic resin formulation designed as a bonding agent admixture for thin Portland cement coatings. It densifies surfaces and makes them more resistant to many chemicals and mild acids, as well as to the penetration of water or aqueous solutions, can also eliminate the need for wet curing.
do u still build the ridge, brushing up... to the top? i did a bird bth... didht go quite right
Yes, the ridge is very important to have some good thickness there. The ridge is the main stress load for the entire leaf . It has to take upward and downward load,so take special care in that area.
Excellent video. Are those brown hard things in the beginning of the video, sand that is hard? Do you just put it under the leaves for contouring? Thanks.
They are just rolled up commercial paper towels,dampened and rung out.Yes ,exactly ,just to add contour to the leaf :)
Hi great video do you put any reinforcement into these leafs
I have watched several videos on leaf casting and I have very much enjoyed yours. Why can't you spray the leaf with Pam so it is easier to remove. It works with a mould for a stepping stone so why not a leaf?
Hi Cora. Sorry for my late response.The issue is ,that it's not the leaf that sticks it's the membranes (veins) of the leaf that trap the concrete underneath themselves.A couple other points would be ,pooling or over spray of veggie spray acts as a retardant to curing concrete and will leave an undesirable finish. Lastly, the residue left behind will be a inhibitor for good paint adhesion ,and will have an effect on the longevity of the painted piece.Hope that helps you out Cora ,Have fun and play in the mud :)
mrconcreteartisan Thank you for getting back to me on that. I am new to this whole leaf casting craft. Your explanation makes perfect sense and I understand now why you do not use that product. I am looking forward to watching all of your videos and learning how to make those beautiful castings.
Thanks Cora ,everyone is free to try what they like ,I 'm just passing on my thoughts or experiences. Hope you have lots of fun with this craft.
For the wire hangar, do you know the gauge and is it steel or galvanized?
Not sure of the gauge off hand.Yes galvanized.This particular one is cut up piecs of Blok lok reinforcement wire. You can also use binding wire that chain link fence guys use ,available at all large hardware stores.
You mentioned you had a show to bring them to, I was wondering if you sell these beautiful pieces, and if so, could you tell me a round about figure? I assume they're all differently priced depending on the amount of time you put in. Thank you in advance for your time, Paul
Hi...I was wondering if you can use hypertufa to make the leaves might be a little lighter...not sure if it will work?
Hi Lydia,I think I have heard of some folks using hypertufa.I don't think the finish would be as detailed (I could also be wrong).Nothing wrong with giving it a whirl:)
Thanks
Do you ever make a rubber mold for the leaf? I can not grow rubarb where i live.I would love to have a rubber mold just for my use to make bird baths
What type of cement do you use?
The cement powder is just a portland type 10.
Your work very nice I want to what material use to make
I have casted several large leafs and almost every one cracks in the middle where the big vein is. can you please let me know what am I doing wrong?
Using a utility knife or exacto blade,slice the main veins length wise all the way back to the stem .Removing approx half the vein diameter.This should help you out with your cracking.Also on the backside use a little more concrete mix down the center portion of the piece. Good luck,let me now how you make out. :)
Thank u for getting back to me. Made 2 this summer and both cracked. It cracks while it is setting. Maybe too much sun?
Ahh there you go.Do not cast them in direct sunlight .After they are cast and the leaf removed ,keep them out of the sun and covered with plastic.Spray with a spray bottle a couple of times a day for approx 10 days.This is referred to as a wet cure.Very important to build strength in your concrete.Sun is your enemy for freshly cast leaves.
Thank you so much for your help. I will make one in my garage following your instructions. Will keep you posted.
Bendiciones!! Por favor adicional al cemento y arena, que otros materiales? Veo un líquido blanco que es? Gracias... Y cantidades ❤
Just started making leaves and your video was so helpful! I know this is an amateur question, but can you tell me what kind of sand you use? Thanks!
Hi Forrest,all questions are good.Every place calls their sand something different,I buy mine buy the yard and sift out the big stuff.It should be fine sand.
Thanks so much for getting back to me! I have fine paver's sand. I'll give that a try.
Could you provide links for the nylon fibers and AR scrim as I did not find those in your video😆
Hi Patricia, I don't use nylon any longer ,AR fibers are best , the fibers and scrim if you are in the U.S. available at www.buddyrhodes.com/alkali-resistant-ar-glass-fiber/
If you are in Canada , www.sculpturesupply.com/list.php?sf=subcategory&vl=Alkali+Resistant+Glass+Fibers&cat=Reinforcing+Materials
Thank you so much ! Ordered the supplies for reinforcement of my leaves😉
@@patriciafroelich-pilichows841 That's awesome ,glad I could help.👍🏼
@@patriciafroelich-pilichows841 How did your project come out with the fiber?
How thick is the thickest part? I am trying to figure out a way to ship my Birdbaths. Any insight into that? Do you ship yours?
Hey Donna,it all depends on the size of the leaf,but in general 2 to 3 inches.I have shipped ,yes,very nerve racking experience ,so we refrain from that now.Styrofoam peanuts work the best,really pack em in,and lots of this side up and fragile stickers,lol.Oh, and cross your fingers as you walk away from the post office.
I love the 3 yr paper towel trick !! My question. can these be made with morter mix? that already has the sand in it. I love what you are presenting...Thanks in advance :)
Most of those paper towels are in the bin now ,were getting kinda funky lol.I know the product you're referring to .I personally haven't used it but it seems a reasonable choice to make an effort with.Thanks for your kind words.
yes it works
Thanks for input. I made a few zucchini leave casts with the mortar mix and was pleased with the outcome.
That's awesome ,glad you're happy with the results.Careful now ...can be addicting :)
LOLL !! Thats A Fact...Thanks for all your info...
What are you using to hold the leaf bends up...I think you said napkins ;-) but wanted to be sure. I love your work. Truly beautiful. oh and where is your shop located at?? thanks!
susie jordan Hi Susie,Yes napkins is correct,actually this is commercial paper towel.You may also use small Styrofoam blocks as well.Store and shop are located in Vernon British Columbia.
Where in Vernon are you???
Good morning Lydia .Well I just noticed your last name,If you are from the Chirkoff family in Vernon,I worked with Peter,and know Fred from Vernon Golf.Our store is right across the street from Vernon Golf and country club,Right next to sundance pool and spa.Our Address is 907 kalamalka lake road.Come in and say Hi!!Small world haha.
Wow it's a small world...I have been to your store a few times love all the stuff you have for sale and did see the cement leafs and the leaf fountain that you have set up in your store but didn't connect it with you...lol. Peter and Fred are my brother-in-laws...
Haha ,that's awesome Lydia.Next time you're in the store make sure you say who you are .I'll take you for a tour in the studio and out back!
What is the cement mixture recipe?
Go watch part 1 , it tells you exactly.
Thank you 😊 💓 for sharing your knowledge
love to ssee the pond isthere a video and where.
Vickie Roskom Hi Vickie,thanks for your question.Well you're not the first to ask.As of now I haven't done a vid on the waterfall ,may do very soon.Our FB page has some photos,Unique garden art and gifts.
Great what's your Fb page.
Vickie Roskom Unique garden art and gifts.
what are the heads behind you?
Concrete Buddha heads.
Whats is the recipe for concrete mass? Please. Thank you
Not 100% sure what you are asking for?
I can make this but not using real leaf..but its so beautiful and your handsome too...i pots and home decor made of cement...
But honey, you're using my offset icing knife and stainless bowl!! LOL Nice work, I've made many but your tips will be incorporated into my next batch next Spring. My squirrels like to gang up all at once and have knocked mine off it's pedestal many times and eventually broke it. Now I just put them on the ground and they've endured beautifully. They are a bit difficult to clean if you don't stain/paint them. Our water is full of chlorine and soda.
Lol, I was a chef for 30 years ,so that's my off set and bowls.Hope your having fun casting ,can get addicting.Yes, hard water can be a pain.
very good
Thank you :)
Those are amazing.. How can I make these structurally strong enough to make chairs out of, like the seat portion. Would chicken wire be enough?