How To Make Faux Rocks

Step 9 How The Rock Looks In The Garden

Looks pretty good!

Comments

[jbpitcher]

Have you ever heard of papercrete? Do you think it would work? It would also make it very light and inexpensive. Thoughts from anyone????

[spartancaver]

http://www.artificialrockoutlet.com/Pump-Cover-Artificial-Rocks/20-1Good idea on the form. It is a nice effect in the paint finish. We used a similar techinque when we built the tree in the movie Pet Sematary 2. (Yes that is the spelling). We also used chicken wire but over a steel and plywood frame that we could take apart and move. I will suggest "molding" different features by twisting the wire, or bunching it up. Remember, you can not "mold" details, but more broad features like cracks, and more miss-shapen rocks. Also, I will suggest playing with flyash in the mix to reduce the weight. (Available at concret supply stores). And during the finishing stages, throw some silver or gold "Glitter" at the rock for the "fleck" of mica often found in natural stone. Not a whole lot, just as if you are using a salt shaker of glitter to sprinkle a few pieces on. You should be quite pleased with the results. I have a fake tree stump made the same way that covers my well pump to keep it from freezing. They sell similar fiberglass rocks to cover well pumps at $100+ see the styles with google for artificalrocksoutlet.com

[wannabeinventor]

Good job! It looks incredibly realistic! It would make a great hide-a-key stone among other, real, rocks. Thanks again, WI.

@spartancaver: Do you have your tree stump on the site? That would be a great project for me to do for my grandmother's well. Thanks to you as well.

[Creativeman]

Thanks for the input...will consider it all. I know the possibilities are endless...so many ideas, so little time! Cman

[mmtnmama]

So happy to find this. Moved from Calif. mountaintop w/tons of rocks, to JAX FL.where there are NO rocks, only sand. Have been obsessing how to add rocks to landscape. TY bunches!!!

[Creativeman]

You are welcome! Condolences on your move from Ca. to Fla.....

[razarizvi]

Cant wait to build by own rocks with your tutorial. Couple of questions:
1. Is the cardboard box hollow or do you fill that tightly with newspapers, plastic,e tc?
2. Are there color pigments that I can add directly to the mortar mix? Would that be okay?
3. Are there random rock shaped foam pieces available out there? I actually have foam mannequin heads and that may work well for smaller rocks. 

thx, Raza

[Creativeman]

Hollow, go to home depot, use random foam pieces as filler. Cman

[trouthunter08]

To keep the bugs out of the cardboard and news paper, did you concrete the bottom too and how thick do you make the concrete "shell" so It can possibly be contoured or hollowed out to house a speaker or security camera

[rhino57]

Nice What is the weight of this rock ?

[Quester55]

Great idea, But next time try Poly foam for the shape, cover with " shop cloth wire screen 1/2 In, Sq. should work best. Then use Thin-set or Wallcreat, It's Lighter & weathers better I.M.O. But never rely on Cardboard, as it will absorb moisture quicker & Rot your rock faster.

[Zabimaru5X]

After see that you used sand and cement, I wanted to know was it heavy. I plan on making movies that require rock that can be thrown.

[foxtrot4697]

Why don't you just pass around something nice, like a grenade.

[ghostis]

If you want rocks thrown at people, the best thing to use are carefully painted foam blocks. They hurt less than concrete ;-). This technique would be good for making walls that have to fall in multiple takes, since rocks by this method would certainly be lighter.

[garrett10]

put on a really thin layer of mortar but put explosives inside and use it as a fireworks

[XOIIO]

use jiprock ( or drywall plaster ) and it will be really light, and will have a good crumble/ break effect when it hits someone or something.

[Zabimaru5X]

Thanks!

[zenkenobi]

Thanks! I'm planning to try this embedding an altoids tin on the bottom to hide a spare key.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Very cool! I hope you update with future projects, I'd like to see your improvements.

[penristone]

I know it sounds gross, but if you " paint " your rock with sour milk or cream, it will attract mosses and lichens to grow and make it look all the more realistic.

[ncstate1]

You could easily add a "spare key" compartment or a speaker for the patio.