|
Part 1 Basic Instructions
Time: approximately 15 to 30 minutes per stone
Cost: approximately $1.00 per stepping stone, 40 cents per Edging Stone
Materials:
-
 Wheelbarrow or all-purpose plastic utility tub.
- 60# bag of either pre-mix concrete or mortar mix.
- Shovel or small garden spade.
- Rubber or latex gloves.
- Dust mask, particularly if working indoors without ventilation.
- Plastic sheeting.
- Mold release: Liquid vegetable oil such as canola and safflower.
Optional: Iron oxide pigments added to wet concrete. A few tablespoons of these pigments to turn gray into shades of red, buff, brown and green.
Important Notes:
- One 60# bag of concrete yields approx. 3 Stepping Stones or 7-10 Edging Stones.
- Do not use PAM or other sprays as a mold release; they don't cover evenly or thick enough.
Making Your Own Concrete Stepping Stones STEP 1
First brush inner mold surface with mold release, applying with an inexpensive paintbrush. Remove excess oil with a paper towel or dry paintbrush. Next, measure out dry concrete or mortar mix in a wheelbarrow or utility tub. For square stepping stone molds, use approximately 7 1/2 quarts of dry concrete (before the addition of water); for round molds, 6 quarts dry. Edging Stone molds will require approximately 3 quarts dry concrete or mortar mix.
Add water slowly, stirring well between additions. The mixture should be the consistency of muffin or brownie batter and "ridges" should form when a stick or paddle is run through. If the mixture is so runny that these ridges don't appear, add a little more dry concrete.
If using iron oxide pigments, add now. Generally, 3-4 tablespoons pigment per step stone and 1 1/2 tablespoons per Edging Stone will produce a pleasing saturation. The colors will appear muted while the concrete is still wet, so resist adding extra pigment. Take notes on how much is used so that the color can be duplicated or tweaked in future pours.
STEP 2
Fill mold with 1/4" to 1/2" of concrete, just enough to cover the design surface. To remove air bubbles from the concrete (which otherwise form pockmarks on the finished surface), lift one side of the mold 1/4"-1/2" and tap lightly up and down on the worktable for a minute or so. Think of this motion as a gentle vibration. Then fill the mold, tapping a few times to level concrete.
STEP 3
Cover filled mold with plastic sheeting and allow concrete to harden in a cool (and level!) location for two days before removing from mold. After de-molding, cure stone another week before setting in ground.
NOTE: Moderate temperatures in the 50s and 60s (degrees F) are ideal for curing concrete. During periods of extreme heat or cold, cure stones in a basement or insulated garage.
|
|
|
|
Mix concrete to muffin or brownie batter consistency |
Partially fill mold and tap to remove air bubbles |
Fill concrete to top and tap to level concrete |
Allow to harden, remove from mold after two days |
Copyright 2006 www.OutdoorDecor.com
|
