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Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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Posted by FLYONAWALL z6PA (My Page) on
Wed, Aug 17, 05 at 8:11

Could someone help me out. I have 2 elephant ears that I casted from concrete and they both have cracked. One is cracked all the way through and the line goes down the middle where the main "seam" of impression of the vein is. The other one has the same problem only its just a surface crack.
My question is: Is there a product I can use to reseal it? And will it hold up? Also, should I take these inside for the winter? I had left them outside all winter. Also I didn't seal them. Do they need sealed? And if so, what product do I need to use?
Thank you so much in advance for your advise.

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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I have seen something advertised on TV (of course I can't remember the name of it) but it is for repairing cracks in driveways. Couldn't this be used?? It looks pretty easy - is in a tube like toothpaste.

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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Have you asked on the hypertufa forum?

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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flyonawall, You can repair these but they'll always be a fragile repair. Also depends how bad the break is in the front. It would probably be easier to recast new ones and use the pieces of the broken ones as accents in your garden or stuffed in a planter.
1) Drill mating holes in each side of the break. The depth of the hole depends on the size of the casting.
2) Insert a piece of rebar and mortar it in place. You can duct tape the piece together until the mortar dries.
3) Soak the broken leaf casting in water this is so that piece won't draw the moisture out of your patch.
4) Working on the back of the casting, put down a thin coating of mortar (portland cement & sand) over the entire back of the casting, apply drywall tape to the wet mortar. Let it set up for a short period of time then apply another layer of mortar on top of the drywall tape.
It's easier to recast a new one. The deep veins are susceptible to cracking. I leave all my hypertufa, concrete and mortar troughs and planters outside through the Winter but usually store leaves standing up in black plastic nursery pots with plastic tied to the top. I did leave a castor bean leaf outside last Winter but it doesn't have deep veins and was sort of on it's side. Good luck. Billie

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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Thank you Billie for all your info. Yes, It does sound easier to just recast a new one! And your tip about just using them as accents sounds good to me. I thnk I'll recast instead and use them as accents. Thanks for all the help.

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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I did my first Elephant leaf yesterday but I did not have enough concrete mixed to make it as thick as i would have wanted.... and then I had to run to an appointment. So now the leaf is dry to the touch but I want to add more thickness....???? Is their a way I can do that without the two pieces breaking apart down the road???

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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I have been working on some castings that have the leaf portions extending out from a base. I know they are fragile so I used concrete fiber glass tape for re-enforcing the extended portions. I also made this batch a little thicker than the last. However this morning as I was checking my work noticed one extension was cracked through. I could use it as an accent, but since I haven't moved it, I am tempted to try and mend it. The overall size is about 8" and the individual broken part about 5". HELP?

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RE: Concrete Leaf Cracked - what to fix it with

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After you cast , keep it moist for several days. Dont let it dry out.
Submit a photo if you can.

What kind of leaf is it?
Keep the mix more moist than dry. Not sure what you mean, I also made this batch thicker. Did you apply more mix? Usually I apply a thin coat of about 1/2 to 3/4 and if I need more where it it real thin I apply another coat. Mike

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