Most Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of mix is the best to use?

            There are many different mixes all over the United States.  Some are not available everywhere, so you will need to find what works the best in your area.  

            Quikrete or Sakrete are two popular mixes.  If you using these brands basic mix's you need to be sure to shake well or vibrate the molds.  This will allow the aggregates in the mix to rise along with releasing air in the mix.  By doing this, the Portland settles to the bottom of the mold creating the detail in the piece. 

            Maximizer is a great mix that mixes up like a pancake batter.  It is easy to work with and requires little tapping and shaking of the mold when the mix is poured into it.  This can be picked up at most Lowes or home depots. 

Can I make my own mix?

            Sure just check out our recipes page for several different kinds of mixes.  Including a light weight concrete mix and Hypertufu recipe.

Can I use a Fast Setting Mix?

How long do I let my pieces set in the mold?

            If using a fast setting concrete a couple of hours is good.  If temperatures are cool then 3-4 hours is best.

            If using a regular setting mix, 24 hours is best if temperatures are cool below 50 degrees you should let set at least 48 hours.

Should I use a mold release?

            You don’t have to use a mold release, however it will prolong the life of your molds.  It also keeps your molds cleaner, which creates better-looking pieces.  A mold release helps so that your concrete will not stick to the mold when setting up. 

What kind of mold release should I use?

            A concrete mold release agent or a cooking spray like Pam works well.  A cooking spray is much better to use than an oil spray like wd-40 as it will not leave a residue on the molds.  The cooking spray keeps your molds cleaner.  You do not need to use a lot, just lightly spray the mold. 

How do I clean the molds?

            A garden hose should clean the molds for the most part.  If you want you can use a mild soap and brush to clean any other areas that might require a little more care that is fine to.

How many pours can I get out of the molds?

            If the molds are taken care of you should be able to get hundreds of pours out of a mold.  Our molds are made of a special blend of plastic that we have especially made for us; it is very durable and long lasting.

Can I use colorants or Paints?

            Yes you can use both

            Colorants – These work well if you want to add color to the entire piece.   Colorants are great for patio and stepping-stones.  You can view the colorants we carry under our paints and colorants category in the left column.  They will need to be added to the concrete mix before you pour into the molds.  You can obtain different shades of the colors by adding more of the colorant or less to your concrete mix. 

            Paints – We carry a large selection of outdoor paints, you can view them in our colorants and paints category located in the left hand column.   Our paints are all UV protected so they should not fade when left outside.  When painting a piece that is going to be outside always paint both the front and back of the piece this seals the piece so that moisture does not get into the concrete and allow the paint to flake off.

Can I use resin in the molds?

            Yes you can, resin is a great product however it is more expensive to use than concrete.  Resin can be used indoors or outdoors, it also works great in the tile molds.  You can find a lot of different resins available by searching on the Internet. 

Can I use plaster in the molds?

            Yes you can, plaster is great to use in the molds for indoor use.  There are a couple of different plasters that are made for outdoor use but for the most part they are designed to be used for items that will not kept outside.  When using plaster no mold release is used, just rinse the molds out with water and wipe lightly with a paper towel to remove water droplets.  There will still be light coating of water in the mold that is not visible to the eye; this is a release agent for plaster.

What happens if my piece has cracks when removed?

            Several things can cause this.

1.       The mold was left out in sunny area and the concrete cured to quickly.  If possible keep in a shaded area or keep a garden hose near by and mist often so they do not dry out to fast.

2.       The piece was removed to early out of the mold.  Let it set in the mold longer

3.       The concrete mix had too much water in it.  Be sure to only add the recommended amount of water to the mix.