The stone in the interior looks stylish and spectacular. It creates a cozy atmosphere in the room. It is not necessary to use natural natural material. Artificial stone looks no less interesting and original. You can not buy expensive finishes - a person can afford to make it yourself at home. How to make a stone with your own hands will be discussed later.
Features of artificial stone
How to make a decorative stone with your own hands? This is an interesting, fascinating work, the result of which is a beautiful finish. There are different techniques for making artificial stone. The appearance of the finished finish depends on the choice of technology. Most often, artificial stone is made of gypsum or concrete. Alabaster can also be used, but this material cannot boast the same performance characteristics. Plaster and concrete are much safer than this material.
How to make a stone with your own hands? Cement is used for exterior decoration, for example, for the facade. From this material a stone is created for paving paths. Cement is a sufficiently durable material that is not afraid of moisture. It is not affected by weather conditions.
Gypsum varieties of stones are suitable for indoor decoration. They are able to regulate the level of humidity, creating the right, healthy microclimate. However, gypsum does not like moisture, so this decorative stone can be used for decoration only in rooms with a normal level of humidity. This is a very plastic material, from which it will turn out to create almost any form. You can experiment with different texture of the stone.
Considering the question of how to make an artificial stone, it is worth considering that the color of the material will be more natural if pigments are added to it. The hue may be dim or saturated. The choice depends on the design of the room. The pigments may be dry or diluted in liquids. You can mix several shades, but as a rule they approach this process very carefully. If you do not have certain knowledge, you can ruin the tone, getting the dirty color of artificial stone. In addition to pigments, sand, gravel, and other fillers are added to the material. This allows you to create a different texture.
To get such a decorative finish, first you need to prepare equipment for the manufacture of artificial stone. These are special matrices into which the selected material is poured. We also need different tools with which the process of pouring gypsum or cement into molds will be performed.
Material is immersed in the matrix, which allows to produce as many blocks as necessary. You can purchase a special plastic mold, but this option has several disadvantages. Such a matrix is not strong enough and durable. It is better to make it yourself from silicone or a special polymer. This option is much more reliable. In addition, to create such a form yourself is not difficult even at home.
Features of silicone mold
How to make artificial stone? First you need to find or build a suitable form into which gypsum or cement will be poured. The procedure for creating a matrix does not require large financial investments. This is a simple but interesting process. At this stage, you can independently choose the shape and size of the decorative stone. It can be quite original.
If there is no suitable artificial stone on sale or you cannot afford it, you can use decorative forms to decorate walls, facades, etc. with a silicone mold. There are many reasons why people want to create such material on their own. The sizes of the blocks, their shade, texture, etc. may not be suitable. If the decorative stones on sale are liked, but they are expensive to buy, you can purchase only a few of these bricks and make a shape out of them. With its help, as many blanks for decoration are made as necessary.
The use of molds for decorative stone can significantly reduce the cost of repairs. Moreover, the object, taken as the basis for the matrix, can be almost anything. You can use real stones found in nature. The texture and shape will be original, unusual. Such finishing blocks cannot be purchased at the store. In addition to stone, you can also use wooden planks to develop decorative finishes. Only previously you need to make the picture more pronounced.
The matrix may consist of one or more compartments. The second option is preferable, since the process of manufacturing the finish will advance faster. But a single form does not need a lot of silicone. If there is not much artificial stone needed for decoration (for example, when decorating corners), you can make a small shape in one compartment.
For a volume matrix with several compartments, it will be necessary to prepare the formwork from the boards. This form will require more silicone, but at the same time it will be possible to make several stones at once. This will speed up the process of creating decorative finishes.
In addition to boards, for the manufacture of formwork, boxes or even cardboard boxes can be used. Their dimensions should correspond to the dimensions of the workpiece. Such boxes should be wider by approximately 10 mm and higher by 25 mm than the original samples. If you need to make just a few small fragments, you can even use a regular box of juice. If you fasten such forms together, you get a complex matrix.
Molds for decorative stone are made of silicone or special polyurethane. Another option is to use a compound that is used in conjunction with a hardener.
Silicone mold
Molds for making artificial stone at home are made mainly from ordinary silicone. It can be sold in tubes or in small buckets. The amount of silicone is determined based on the size of the matrix.
Next, the formwork is prepared. Its walls are well lubricated with a thick layer of fat. For these purposes, solidol is often used. The stones selected as the basis are laid on the bottom of the formwork, leaving a small distance between them. Their surface is also lubricated with solid oil. It is unacceptable that even small dry places remain: this will ruin the matrix, which subsequently cannot be used to create a decorative stone.
If the initial workpiece is gypsum stone, before pouring it into silicone, the surface is varnished in 3 layers. Each previous layer should dry well. In addition to the mold for making artificial stone, a spatula and a brush will be needed in the process. They are used during the application of silicone in the formwork. A soapy solution is also needed to wet the instruments.
The tube with silicone is cut, pouring the entire composition into the formwork. The original sample should be completely coated with the material. Using a brush, which is previously lowered into a soap solution, silicone is evenly distributed inside the box. It should fit snugly to the surface, which is why it is tamped. Brush perform appropriate movements, removing air pockets and bubbles.
Filling the form to the edges, the surface must be leveled with a spatula dipped in soapy water. Next, you need to pay attention to the information provided by the manufacturer on the packaging of silicone. It indicates how long the material will solidify. Formwork must not be removed before the deadline. Haste in this matter is inappropriate, since the durability of the mold depends on how well the silicone hardens.
The material hardens first on the surface, and then the polymerization is directed deep into. The process proceeds at a speed of 2 mm per day. Next, you need to measure the size of the formwork and calculate how long the polymerization process will take. Sometimes it takes only a few days, but more often it takes several weeks to wait.
When the silicone completely hardens, the formwork is removed, and the mold is qualitatively washed. It is not permissible for grease to remain on it. Then the surface is wiped clean with quality. The matrix is now ready for use for its intended purpose.
Compound Form
In the manufacturing process of the matrix for artificial stone, another technology may be used. The form can be made from a special compound. This is a two-component polymer that cures only during a chemical reaction in contact with a particular substance.
The matrix of such a polymer will be stronger than that of silicone. This material hardens faster, it is used specifically to create forms. The compound is most often made of polyurethane. Since hardening occurs under the influence of a special substance, the matrix will be ready literally in a day. Therefore, the use of polyurethane compounds is the best option. The hardening reaction does not require the presence of oxygen. Therefore, the process takes a minimum amount of time.
Making artificial stone at home using a professional compound is not suitable for everyone. The cost of such materials is quite high. For those who plan to make a large amount of artificial stone, it is recommended to use a polyurethane compound.
For such a matrix, a release agent must be used, which is used specifically for the polyurethane compound. Solid oil should not be used to lubricate formwork and workpieces. Lubrication also covers formwork and decorative stones taken as a basis. To do this, you need a brush.
The preparatory stage for creating gypsum stones
Knowing what artificial stone is made of, many owners of houses and apartments still choose gypsum for these purposes. The material is easier to use, environmentally friendly. You can use gypsum blocks to decorate the facade, but in this case, their surface is pre-treated with a special varnish.
The material is simply painted in the desired shade, since it initially has a light color. Cement, as a rule, is dark gray, which complicates the staining procedure. Gypsum stone has greater adhesion, adheres well to the surface of the base.
A number of materials and tools are used to make decorative stone. In addition to the matrix itself, you need to prepare a drill with a special nozzle-mixer, as well as a container for making the solution. It can be a plastic bucket or basin. Also required are brushes, putty knife and soap solution. White gypsum is best used to create a decorative finish: the material does not have a pinkish, grayish tint.
Filler, which will allow you to create a natural texture, can be pure river sand. Its fraction can be of different sizes. The choice depends on the effect that you plan to get as a result. The composition is added with PVA glue, as well as a solution of citric acid. In the course of work, a mixture of turpentine with wax will be required.
You can color the decorative material with a dry pigment. It is also necessary to prepare room temperature water and the room in which the work will be carried out. There should be a table that stands firmly on the surface of the floor, does not stagger. Its countertop should be located exactly parallel to the base of the earth, its inclination is unacceptable. Otherwise, the thickness of the plates will be different.
If you need to make a large number of decorative stones at a time, create a sufficient number of matrices. After pouring material into them, the molds are stored on special racks. Shelves should not be inclined, which is checked using the building level. In the working area prepare a place for the manufacture of the solution. It is better to cover the floor with film or at least a newspaper.
Solution preparation
The manufacturing process of artificial stone should be considered in detail so as not to make mistakes. You need to know that in order to create a homogeneous mass, gypsum is added to the prepared container with water, and not vice versa. This composition tends to solidify quickly, so you need to act promptly.
To extend the time of use of the solution will help a number of tricks. Citric acid is added to the gypsum solution. Per kilogram of dry mix, 0.6-0.8 g of crystalline composition dissolved in warm water is needed. This allows you to keep the solution in a liquid state for up to one and a half hours.
You need to make exactly as much solution as you can fill in one form. To make the decorative stone stronger, sand is added to it. The gypsum mixture is prepared in a plastic container. The solution should have a consistency of thick sour cream. To give the workpiece the required qualities per kilogram of the mixture, 100 g of sand is used.
PVA glue is used as a plasticizer, but other special compounds can also be used. These components maintain the fluidity of the mixture for a long time, eliminating air from it - the likelihood of cracking and the appearance of voids inside the decoration elements will be eliminated.
The manufacturing technology of artificial stone suggests that the dry components should be mixed with water in a ratio of 1.5: 1. In the calculation, the amount of moisture in which citric acid was dissolved is taken into account. If you plan to color the artificial stone, pigment is added to the water. Only then dry components of the solution are introduced into the container. The mass is qualitatively mixed with a mixer.
How to fill forms with gypsum?
A mold of silicone or polyurethane is treated with a wax-turpentine mixture. Next, a solution is poured into it, from which all air bubbles must be removed. Therefore, the mass must be tamped with a brush. After that, the surface is leveled with a spatula. Partitions must be thoroughly cleaned of the solution. The matrix is placed on the shelf and waiting until the solution begins to set.
Materials and tools
Considering existing technologies, how to make a stone with your own hands, you need to pay attention to such an option as the use of cement mortar. This is a more durable finish that is not afraid of moisture and other adverse effects.
The tools used are the same as for creating gypsum stones. However, the list of components for the solution will differ markedly.
How to make a stone imitation with your own hands? For these purposes, durable cement is used, grade M200-M400. It will also require sifted river sand. PVA glue is used as a plasticizer.
However, for cement it is better to purchase special liquid solutions: they will make the stone stronger, more resistant to frost and other adverse effects. Moreover, the cost of such formulations is on par with PVA. But there will be more sense from their application. Coloring pigments should also be purchased.
Solution preparation
The working area is equipped in the same way as in the first version. When considering how to make a stone with your own hands, you need to pay attention to the correct proportions when mixing the ingredients. First mix 1 part sand with 3 parts sand. Water is poured into small portions without stopping stirring the solution. For this, an electromechanical mixer (drill with nozzle) is used. Then plasticizer is added in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer on the package, as well as pigment. It is kneaded gradually, introducing the powder in small portions. This allows you to create the right shade.
Mold fill
How to make a stone do-it-yourself from cement mortar? This technology is somewhat more complicated than using gypsum. Silicone mold should not be deep. First, the solution is laid out in a matrix that needs to be shaken: this allows you to ram the cement mass, saving it from air bubbles. Spread over the entire surface with a wide spatula. The partitions between the individual stones are cleaned of the solution. The surface should be flat. You can use the walls of the partitions as a kind of beacons, holding them with a tool.
If you still need a deep form for the manufacture of decorative stone, fill the solution only to half. Next, you need to lay a reinforcing mesh here: this will strengthen the workpieces, eliminating the likelihood of cracking. Another layer of cement is poured on top. It evens out and then dries out a little. , , : .
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