G
Guest
·by mixing a two part expanding polyurethane foam and pouring that
into a silicone mold that was taken from a stack of flatter stones much
like stepstone, i created a foam look-a-like of that "wall".
the foam i used had a very hard density of 16lbs - rock hard. once that was
dry i pulled it from the silicone mold, and cut the bottom and back flat. with
an air gun, i blew off any dust that was created. then by using e-glass fiberglass
cloth and a marine epoxy i covered the foam cliff. by using colors i was able to
make a natural stone wall with out the hassle of mortar or cement. minus the
headache, i found this a much better way to build realistic hardscapes for the
larger vivariums we are building.
I would on the next part, just spray or paint on the resin bypassing the taping
or clothing as it was too much work, much like paper mache, but worse IMO.
This is the method we used on a few larger vivariums were it was better then using
cement as the hardscape material only because it's lighter, and waterproof. coloring
it was tricky IMO and mixing it with milled peat and at times, sand or leaf litter didn't
alter the look enough to prove worth while.
There are many types of resins, ways to use it and techniques. we have tried the
fiberglass|epoxy as well as polyester and found both good but the polyester would
be better to use if the project took more then a few hours or layers were needed.
Also found that some of the epoxy sealers we worked with were just as good on their own
and have changed many of our product lines to using this instead of a no-voc cement
sealer, although both are still on our shelves...
one of the cages that we got from CagesByDesign, a 60"L x 30"H x 30"W with hood
is slated to use this method instead of cement to create it's hardscape in sections for
easy take down when needed. this isn't a natural product at all, but for it's ease and flexibility
of use and strengths, options i'd have to say it's worth it. working with the resin on wire
mesh cloth is super easy too. once the epoxy and polyester are very durable from what
i can see. and casting it should be simple if anyone likes molds.
hope this helps anyone that is still trying to work with any foam construction or wants to
build big with out the hassles of rock work.
Sincerely,
Deven Nicholson
Terra5Designs | 925-465-1295
http://www.Terra5Designs.com
Ensuring Animal Husbandry through Education and Habitat Design.
into a silicone mold that was taken from a stack of flatter stones much
like stepstone, i created a foam look-a-like of that "wall".
the foam i used had a very hard density of 16lbs - rock hard. once that was
dry i pulled it from the silicone mold, and cut the bottom and back flat. with
an air gun, i blew off any dust that was created. then by using e-glass fiberglass
cloth and a marine epoxy i covered the foam cliff. by using colors i was able to
make a natural stone wall with out the hassle of mortar or cement. minus the
headache, i found this a much better way to build realistic hardscapes for the
larger vivariums we are building.
I would on the next part, just spray or paint on the resin bypassing the taping
or clothing as it was too much work, much like paper mache, but worse IMO.
This is the method we used on a few larger vivariums were it was better then using
cement as the hardscape material only because it's lighter, and waterproof. coloring
it was tricky IMO and mixing it with milled peat and at times, sand or leaf litter didn't
alter the look enough to prove worth while.
There are many types of resins, ways to use it and techniques. we have tried the
fiberglass|epoxy as well as polyester and found both good but the polyester would
be better to use if the project took more then a few hours or layers were needed.
Also found that some of the epoxy sealers we worked with were just as good on their own
and have changed many of our product lines to using this instead of a no-voc cement
sealer, although both are still on our shelves...
one of the cages that we got from CagesByDesign, a 60"L x 30"H x 30"W with hood
is slated to use this method instead of cement to create it's hardscape in sections for
easy take down when needed. this isn't a natural product at all, but for it's ease and flexibility
of use and strengths, options i'd have to say it's worth it. working with the resin on wire
mesh cloth is super easy too. once the epoxy and polyester are very durable from what
i can see. and casting it should be simple if anyone likes molds.
hope this helps anyone that is still trying to work with any foam construction or wants to
build big with out the hassles of rock work.
Sincerely,
Deven Nicholson
Terra5Designs | 925-465-1295
http://www.Terra5Designs.com
Ensuring Animal Husbandry through Education and Habitat Design.