building enclosure objects.

[beardiesrawsome5]

One thing id like to no is how do people build the fake rocks and temples and rock mazes out of styrofoam id like to try it for my beardie pleez help just want tips and stuff.

 

[snowdragon]

I too would like to know how. :study:

 

[Pravius]

I think there is something on the DIY forums that may explain it. I personally have not done it yet but I think it is a process of simply shaping out large blocks of Styrofoam and then applying a hardening substance over the top of it (grout).

 

[mybabymojo]

thats pretty much it from what i gather. i am going to be attempting one soon, when i have a day off to tinker with it! ill let you know if i succeed.

 

[snowdragon]

I have made two so far and I like how they turned out. Im going to be doing a big corner piece soon though and cant wait to get started.

 

[Dozer09]

I found this posted some place on here in the DIY http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/ hope it helps i think i will give it a try soon.

 

[mybabymojo]

haha if you go to the link with the instructional videos, check out the castle video. the beardie on it is soo cute! plus i wanna make a castle now for my baby!

 

[newowner2]

yea there kinda hard i tried 2 times to make my own stuff for my cages and i had failed im just not artistic... do u need to know how to make a desgin or how to finish what u are making? because i know you need to grout it and seal it ...i like the non sanded grout it works pretty good

keep trying eventually you will get it ...good luck

 

[GottemOnDubs]

Its right here on this site and it is very informative. Go up to where it says "Care sheets and articles" under the banner on top of the page and you'll see it in there. I've already made one and it came out really nice for a first timer.
Or copy and paste this...lol http://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/falserock/

 

[aoscar]

I have found that over-thinking the look is my biggest problem. I use sanded grout because sanded grout is stronger than non-sanded grout. A knife with a serrated blade is great for carving (I also use a rotozip with a drywall bit to carve I'm sure a dremel would do and be eaiser to handle but I don't have one{yet}), a melon baller works great for hollowing areas out. Keep in mind while carving detail, to make it larger as it will fill during the grouting process. I also sand the styrofoam with 60-80 grit sandpaper before grouting, this makes the grout apply MUCH smoother and puts finishing touches on the detail. My wife and I make about 35 pieces a month.
We also use colored grout and apply the temper paints to very damp grout for accents and details. (doing this on 1st and second coats can help you test paint) My projects typically have a coat and a half to two coats of grout with the first being the heaviest coat. Hope this helps.