Well here are a few pictures off my updated rock wall, sorry for the blurry photos... took them late last night.
There really is a science for this stuff... lessons learned:
Use plaster of paris. - I have experimented with many a mixes
Don't use light weight drywall compound. It has about the 1/2 the mass of plaster of paris, but it starts to disolve with water based paint after the 3 days it took for the part to set up in the mold. Patching plaster worked but was more expensive, it left areas of the mold unfilled.
Don't mix more than you can use. you only get about 5 to 10 minutes from the start of mixing and then it will set up... the first batch I created one large bucket rock mold.
Do not add more water to the mix. My manufacture suggested a 1:1 mix. stick with that mix. adding water will ruin the parts.
Tap on the table when the mix is poured in. this will help the air bubbles to rise to the top and improve the part surface in the mold.
Remove the parts out of the mold after 15 to 20 minutes. any longer and the part is alot more difficult to get out.
I used titebond glue to glue the molds to the masonite board. it dried fast and held the casting up without tape or supports.
I only used about 7 molds for the 8 ft length of this wall. I broke the plaster parts as needed to make more random look.
I use acrylic paints to "stain" the parts. Then follow up with India ink washes mixed with water to really bring out the detail. I tried using Acrylic Mars black paint for this and it did not thin as nice, thus created clumps of black color on the rocks. Wainting one day for the color coat, then stain with india ink worked the best.
I use woodland scenics, turf, foam for the shrubs and green growth.
I will try to post some better pics...
What tips and trics do you have pouring rock molds?
