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Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

Posted by PurplethumbedLes 9a (My Page) on
Wed, May 9, 12 at 12:09

Restaurant supply stores are another good source for inexpensive plastic molds, as are party supply sections at Dollar Stores. I found a large plastic salad bowl for about $2 at a local restaurant store and plan to make a hypertufa planter when I've got some time. I will spray glue some sword fern leaves to the inside before I pour for additional texture.

You can also find some well-priced plastic molds on the Internet that are meant to be used over and over. One eBay seller recommended clean motor oil for a release for ABS plastic, but I found that Canola oil from my kitchen mister worked just fine and wasn't hazmat.

Incidentally, I am experimenting with hobby-grade acrylic craft paints to tint regular (not hypertufa) concrete projects. (See photo.) I watered the paint down quite a bit and applied it like you would a stain, then topped it with two coats of spray polyurethane when I was satisfied. The one shown is ordinary concrete ready-mix, though I think the mortar mix I've since tried will work even better for this type of coloring. The stone is out in the yard now since I want to know if the color fades over time.

http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s388/SR_1-3070749834/Garden/MyFirs tStone.jpg

Here is a link that might be useful: Tinted stepping stone


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

I like to use a kitty litter pan. It sometimes requires that you make an inner mold from 2" styrofoam insulation, but it is very durable and can be used over and over.


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RE: Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

They are everywhere once you get your mind trained to look at things as a turfa mold. Course I've had a few things stuck inside a mold too! Check thrift stores and garage sales. I tend to keep going back to big plastic bowls. I have a metal vase thing that I use alot for mushrooms. I line it with plastic and just keep adding leftover turfa to it. Always wet the cured before adding. I don't know if it is necessary but I do. I tried baskets by lining with plastic but it was hard to get them out without cutting the basket. I like your stepping stone but wouldn't want to step on it.


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RE: Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

I think your stepping stone would make a great wall plaque.


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RE: Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

I'm placing an order this week from this seller... I don't think the molds are that expensive for what I'm looking for?

Here is a link that might be useful: Ebay Go Statue molds


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RE: Where else to find budget-friendly plastic molds

What a fun thread :) I've used plant pots, plastic bag (to just make a crazy rock), and have looked around the dollar store as well. I hand't considered a restaurant supply stores, or premade molds. Thanks for the suggestions on that to purple, and for the ebay link from Kiendu.

Also, I've used an Elephant plant leaf :)

Question: There was a star mold I saw in an article. I've viewed comments on the website, and the article, and don't know where to get the mold they showed. Does anyone know?

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/container/plans-ideas/make-concrete-plant ers/?ordersrc=rdbhg1103890

I'm going to try to take a large coffee filter, and mound it up with sand (as i did for the plant leaf), and see how that works.


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