TripleMoonsExotic
I <3 Stripes!
For some reason someone linked this in my DIY: Great Stuff Foam Terrarium Background thread, so I figured I my as well put it in its own DIY section since it's something completely different.
Originally posted: Instructables.com on 07/26/2008 by RedHandFilms
NOTE: I edited some of the instructions so it's easier to follow.
Materials
Styrofoam
Grout mix
Cement Color
Great Stuff Expanding Foam Insulator
Water
Water Based Polycrylic Satin Sealer
Tools
Knives and hand saws
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE)
Bucket
Inexpensive Bristle Paint Brushes
The best advice I can give you here is to actually work inside your viv. This helps you make sure it will fit, as well as gives you an idea of proportions. You wouldn't want to accidentally make it too large. Remember to leave some extra room around the edges. You don't want it to be a tight fit now because you still have to grout it.
Start with a real rough cut, just laying things out. Don't glue anything down yet. It also helps if you can draw on the floors and wall of the viv to give yourself reference points for shape. If you don't actually want to mark your floor, lay down some newspaper you can draw on)
Get your basic shape together. Don't worry about leaving holes and don't do any detail carving yet.
________________________________
GLUE
In order to get everything back the way you have it now, it really helps if you draw marks and lines onto your shape. Trace the outline of a piece onto the piece below it. Trace the bottom footprint onto the bottom of your viv or newspaper. Take off each layer and start gluing things down working from the bottom up (don't glue it to the floor!)
________________________________
EXPANDING FOAM
Spray Great Stuff in the little holes and gaps. Use a little more in places you want it to build up. Leave it to expand and dry overnight.
CARVING
Pull out your knife and saw and go to town! Time to get creative and let your artistic side show. What you're carving now will be the shape of the final piece. Remember, don't go into too fine detail. The layers of grout will fill in a lot of the small stuff completely. If you want it to show up, cut it deeper!
GROUT
Ok now, time make this look like a rock, and not a big chunk of foam.
Mix your grout. Don't mix it all at once. Leftovers will dry out while you're waiting between coats. Try using about 1/4 of your grout per coat. I don't really have a set measurement for water, but you want it to be kinda thin and soupy. It will brush on easier that way. If you're using coloration, this would be the time to mix it in. Once you've got your soupy grout, start brushing it on. Make sure you get in all the cracks and crevasses, including the bottom.
Apply 3 coats but let dry overnight between coats! This will ensure everything is covered and it will be nice and strong.
PAINT & SEAL
You can use acrylic paints to paint the grout if you choose. Sealing is a very important step. Use a safe, low fume sealer such as Water Based Polycrylic sealer if possible. Shellac also works well but will leave it shiny. I actually ran out of polycrylic so I used shellac inside the cave and on the bottom where it wouldn't be seen. Use your other brush and apply 3 coats of sealant, once again, making sure to get into every crack and crevasse. Once you've finished, let it air out for a few days, preferably with a fan blowing on it.
ENJOY!
Originally posted: Instructables.com on 07/26/2008 by RedHandFilms
NOTE: I edited some of the instructions so it's easier to follow.
________________________________
Materials
Styrofoam
Grout mix
Cement Color
Great Stuff Expanding Foam Insulator
Water
Water Based Polycrylic Satin Sealer
Tools
Knives and hand saws
Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks (DO NOT USE SUPERGLUE)
Bucket
Inexpensive Bristle Paint Brushes
The best advice I can give you here is to actually work inside your viv. This helps you make sure it will fit, as well as gives you an idea of proportions. You wouldn't want to accidentally make it too large. Remember to leave some extra room around the edges. You don't want it to be a tight fit now because you still have to grout it.
Start with a real rough cut, just laying things out. Don't glue anything down yet. It also helps if you can draw on the floors and wall of the viv to give yourself reference points for shape. If you don't actually want to mark your floor, lay down some newspaper you can draw on)
Get your basic shape together. Don't worry about leaving holes and don't do any detail carving yet.
________________________________
GLUE
In order to get everything back the way you have it now, it really helps if you draw marks and lines onto your shape. Trace the outline of a piece onto the piece below it. Trace the bottom footprint onto the bottom of your viv or newspaper. Take off each layer and start gluing things down working from the bottom up (don't glue it to the floor!)
________________________________
EXPANDING FOAM
Spray Great Stuff in the little holes and gaps. Use a little more in places you want it to build up. Leave it to expand and dry overnight.
CARVING
Pull out your knife and saw and go to town! Time to get creative and let your artistic side show. What you're carving now will be the shape of the final piece. Remember, don't go into too fine detail. The layers of grout will fill in a lot of the small stuff completely. If you want it to show up, cut it deeper!
GROUT
Ok now, time make this look like a rock, and not a big chunk of foam.
Mix your grout. Don't mix it all at once. Leftovers will dry out while you're waiting between coats. Try using about 1/4 of your grout per coat. I don't really have a set measurement for water, but you want it to be kinda thin and soupy. It will brush on easier that way. If you're using coloration, this would be the time to mix it in. Once you've got your soupy grout, start brushing it on. Make sure you get in all the cracks and crevasses, including the bottom.
Apply 3 coats but let dry overnight between coats! This will ensure everything is covered and it will be nice and strong.
PAINT & SEAL
You can use acrylic paints to paint the grout if you choose. Sealing is a very important step. Use a safe, low fume sealer such as Water Based Polycrylic sealer if possible. Shellac also works well but will leave it shiny. I actually ran out of polycrylic so I used shellac inside the cave and on the bottom where it wouldn't be seen. Use your other brush and apply 3 coats of sealant, once again, making sure to get into every crack and crevasse. Once you've finished, let it air out for a few days, preferably with a fan blowing on it.
ENJOY!