DIY Aircrete Faux Stone Facade, Part 1 – How To Make Silicone Molds For Pouring Concrete

The issue I bumped into again then was that I couldn’t discover any Austin stone that matched the stone on our home. I wasn’t involved about matching the colour as a result of ours is painted. Sadly, our stone was painted once we purchased the home, so my choices have been both to have it sandblasted or repaint it a shade I wished. I selected the second possibility as a result of it was quicker and less expensive. And actually, I don’t actually like the colour of pure Austin stone anyway. Like I stated, this stone is ubiquitous on this space, and it has been for many years, so it’s probably not something particular, in my humble opinion. I a lot choose the sunshine grey of our home relatively than having the siding portion match the yellow/beige shade of a pure Austin stone.

However the issue that I bumped into is that Austin stone within the late 40s and early 50s was reduce very otherwise than fashionable Austin stone. Right here’s a extra fashionable constructing with an Austin stone facade (with the pure shade of Austin stone), and you’ll see that the stones are reduce in order that they’re fairly flat on the fronts.

Right here’s a more in-depth view of what it appears like, and that is just about how all Austin stone is reduce today.

And right here’s a view of the stone on the entrance of our home. You’ll be able to inform instantly, simply from how the stone is reduce and chiseled on the entrance, whether it is fashionable or if it was constructed across the mid-century time interval. Again then, they chiseled the stone in order that the middle of the face of every stone protruded far more. There aren’t many stones on our home which have a flat face on them.

So once I tried to search out matching Austin stone (actual or pretend) to match our home, it was just about inconceivable. I discovered some that might have labored, however they have been typically fairly costly, and I didn’t need to pay that a lot for one thing that wasn’t a precise match. So I ended up giving up on that concept and looking for different methods to cowl the skirting.

This isn’t my unique thought. I noticed this course of on YouTube (I shared this video with you in post last week), and he made it look really easy. So I made a decision to attempt it out and see if this could work for my venture.

To make your personal silicone molds, you want two components — 100% all goal silicone caulk and cornstarch. I used a glass bowl and poured a whole package deal of cornstarch into the bowl. You should use the most cost effective cornstarch you will discover. Sadly, this Bob’s Crimson Mill was the one model obtainable on the retailer I occurred to go to, and it prices about twice the value of low-cost cornstarch at about $3/package deal. However the low-cost stuff works simply nice.

After which I used my caulk gun and squeezed out two whole containers of silicone caulk proper into the middle of the cornstarch.

After which I put some gloves on and started mixing the caulk into the cornstarch. I attempted my hardest to not contact the caulk instantly as a result of that stuff is absolutely sticky. I principally folded the cornstarch over onto the caulk, making my means across the bowl, folding the cornstarch over onto the caulk all the way in which across the bowl till the caulk misplaced most of its stickiness. I ended when the caulk and cornstarch combination fashioned a ball that felt just like the consistency of Play-doh.

After which I chosen the stone I wished to make use of to type the primary silicone mould and pressed the silicone and cornstarch ball onto the face of the stone. I actually had no thought what I used to be doing on this primary one, so this was my take a look at.

I gave that about three hours to dry. Whereas it was drying, I used a sieve to take away all the caulk bits from the remaining cornstarch in order that I may reuse the leftover cornstarch for the subsequent mould.

Eradicating that silicone from the stone was a problem, and as I pulled it off, it pulled among the paint from the stone. (You’ll be able to see the colour that the stone was painted once we purchased the home. Bleh. I actually didn’t need a whole home painted that shade.)

That is what the silicone mould (or textured mat) appeared like once I eliminated it. I doubt that this one is definitely going to be usable since concrete will most likely stick with these tough areas. However this take a look at gave me perception into what I wanted to do for the subsequent one.

I rummaged by way of my cupboards to see what I may discover to make use of as a mould launch, and I discovered this little bottle of olive oil that has been in my cupboard far too lengthy to make use of for cooking.

So on the subsequent one, earlier than urgent the silicone to the stone, I lined the middle space of the stone with a really gentle coat of olive oil. I simply used my gloved fingers to do that. I didn’t put all of it the way in which to the sides as a result of I wanted the silicone to seize onto one thing, and if the entire thing was lined with olive oil, it might don’t have anything to seize onto. However I actually simply wanted a mould launch on probably the most closely textured areas, which is the middle a part of every stone.

After which I eliminated my gloves (I didn’t need to get olive oil combined into the silicone) and coated my arms with cornstarch to press the silicone onto the stone. I had about quarter-hour of working time with every silicone/cornstarch ball.

This one labored out completely. Once more, I gave it about three hours to fully dry, and once I pulled it off of the stone, it appeared nice! No paint pulled off of the stone with this one. So utilizing some kind of mould launch is vital to getting an important consequence with the textured mat.

With my second take a look at achieved and leading to success, I did two extra on the identical time. Since my entrance porch skirting space is fairly quick, I wished to create a mould for a few shorter and smaller stones. I chosen this one…

And right here’s what that appeared like with the silicone pressed onto it…

After which I chosen this infant.

Right here’s that one with the silicone…

Each of these turned out nice as effectively. The oil used as a mould launch is the important thing. However once more, I solely added the oil to probably the most textured heart components of the stone in order that the silicone would stick with the outer areas that didn’t have any oil on them.