I don't why, but this was like my favorite video EVER. Like, not just from you two, but like ever. I love the girl's voice too! So sweet :) Just overall good vibes from this video, thanks 🙏 😁👌🏻
That is exactly what I thought. I would probably be telling my husband what to do and how to do it, but not in such a sweet way, lol. 🤦 I need to take a page out of your book and be a nicer person. Now back to these absolutely, beyond amazing pumpkins 🎃 holy moly, talk about cool 😎 you guys are amazing. Where do you get such large pieces of styrofoam? Maybe if I keep reading the comments I'll see if someone else asked the same question. Or maybe I just need to watch more of your tutorials, wow, imagine that 🤔. Thank you for sharing your talent, I mean the little bit that you guys have 🙄 ha. So sad that you two are not blessed with any imagination or skills 🎨👨🎨👩🎨🖌️☠️⚰️⚒️🕸️🤢 ha. Very cool 😎😎
After working with plaster, mortar or cement, rinse hands with a bit of white (clear) vinegar. Then wash with soap as usual. Restores skin's pH balance & neutralizes the powder's chemical induced dryness. ...unless you wanna leave a Vaseline residue on everything you touch for 20 minutes. I used to shovel & haul concrete slurry. The boss gave me that tip. He always kept a small bottle of it in the restroom - cuz it works great. 👍😎
I can't wait to see you paint them!!!!! When you first showed us the massive blocks of foam I had no idea what you could do with it, and now it doesn't even look like something you made!!! It looks like something from the store!
Thanks! its hard to stay on track to finish our ideas sometimes because it always ends up being way more work than we think it will be but it's nice when you can be happy with the outcome.
Omg they are so wholesome and adorable together :) refreshing and beautiful to see them interacting. They are oooozing sweetness and love for each other :) great video with lots of info! Thanks for sharing 💖
Thank you for those positive kind words we really appreciate it. Hope you're enjoying any projects you may be working on. Thanks for watching take care. 😉👍
Great work! Other alternatives for a hardcoat are Vinyl Concrete patch mixed with wood glue from Home Depot, or the cheapest Mapie tile mortar from Lowes mixed with the Mapie latex adhesive instead of water. I like the Lowes mix. The mortar is only about $7 for a 50lb bag and the adhesive is $20 for 2 gallons. It comes in grey and white.
5:55 I "Flip" RVs... and to SAND that stuff I use those GREEN Scrubbie things... from Lowes or the Dollar Store... I completely stripped and handprinted a Vintage Travel Trailer, by using the GREEN (kitchen, pot scrubbers)... Works wonders... I love this video... Y'all are so Great... Thank you so much for making these videos.. LOVE Them.
OMG..... they really are beautiful. Such long hours for you both but what an impact they will have in your pumpkin patch. You both truly are artists. Can not wait to see them painted Jeana and awesome work Chris. 😀
Cool vid! Thin-set mortar, has latex in it to increase flexibility and adhesion. If one used the white version, I would think that concrete pigments could be used to colour the mortar and save some of the painting time. Though, perhaps not cost.
How serendipitous. I'm making the Jurassic Park gates out of Styrofoam and trying to figure out how to harden it...and you're wearing a Jurassic Park shirt!
Oh MAN! Thanks UA-cam algorithm! This is literally the *perfect* thing I need for my Stakataka cosplay! It will weigh more than me and I'm going to be dead post con, but holy shit it'll be the coolest cosplay.
Just googled about coating polystrene and got your vid - and I have some of the plaster or mortar based stuff left over from a reno (several bags!) - and the info about making fake bricks on plywood gave me some ideas too :)
So cool. I love making Halloween props. So great bc they are one of a kind. My husb hates when I make props or go all out for Halloween ☹ your so lucky your SO likes Halloween. I make props for Xmas too
Ok so question. If I buy foam insulation panels from Lowe's, what sort of prepping would I need to do to put the flex bond on it? Weight is critical as it's a cosplay, not a prop.
If it's for cosplay I think using something like a smooth on foam safe epoxy product. As far as the foam you can try the mortar but I think it will crack and flake over time for you. You can just apply straight on foam.
The thing is it's of Stakataka and the idea of making it look like a brick wall (like you did with the flex bond) is exactly what I need it to do. Does the epoxy work for this purpose?
Does anyone know what I could use to hard coat/weatherproof a traditional paper mache piece? It's made of newspaper, blue shop towel and flour. I coated with polycrylic, spray painted it, coated twice again with the poly and it still got soggy in the rain. I cut out the soggy area and dried it out and was able to salvage it but I want to make it 100% weatherproof.
Vs doing your initial sanding try using a damp spongue to smooth it out start with instead. There is a limited window of time when it's easier, but it's just as fast as sanding and you don't have all the dust.
Pretty cool stuff I've also made a lot of furniture.... tables coffee tables out of foam and mesh finished in stucco it's amazingly strong if everything is meshed ..nice work you two looks really good
Thank you Brent ya that stuff works well. We used to make custom outdoor kitchens, fire places, and fire pits years ago using that stuff. We also just put it straight on hardi backer and cement board and it worked really well. Thanks again.
I'm curious about trying this too. When you say everything is meshed, do you mean you put mesh over your foam, or in the mix? How do you attach it to the foam if you put it on top? Thank you! I've been wanting to try making a little fountain this way.
@@debraherrera8983 hello Debra you put a quarter inch thick layer of mud or basecoat and imbed fiberglass mesh into it .stucco supply company sell 4 foot ×80foot rolls of mesh use a trowel to smooth it out and a wet paintbrush to clean up the corners and details
Hi how do you prepare cement for this hard coat? I am working on expanded polystyrene and need to apply cement with a paint brush. So any idea what type of cement do I need and its mixture?
I have been watching your content since you built that haunted house outside of your home. Ever since then I have loved your channel. But now all you guys do Is make me love it even more Keep up the good work and stay spooky d;
how much weight does the mortar add? If I made a fake rock this way, would it withstand a person sitting on it? Could I do a similar method with fiberglass and resin?
the mortar does add some weight to it depending on how thick you make it. We don't think it would be the right hard coat choice for anything people have contact with especially sitting on. The resin and fiberglass is a great thing to use and will be plenty strong but it costs more of course. Be sure to use a foam safe resin or coating first on foam so it doesn't melt. Test it out =)
"That's how a real man treats his wife?" I wish I could have found one in my lifetime, maybe in my next life I will be so lucky to find a man like Chris, he is really handsome with a beautiful smile. Gina you are a sweetheart also with a beautiful face and smile. I would love to be able to do this I love Halloween and you could never ever have enough props and decorations. Great work !!
So, I want to make 1/4 ish scale Disneyland jungle cruise waiting cue building in my backyard. Planning on using wood for most building and props, but almost nowhere, could I find out how Disney seals outside props, do you have specific recommendations? Thank you
Since Disney bids out all of thier stuff to several different companies and set shops to make everything many different products are used for the scenery. I know there are a lot of diffrent resins like clear epoxies used as clear coats over things. But they also use a lot of oil based and expensive UV protective paints which last longer. Check websites like Smooth-On for some cool product ideas. We have used several of their resins that could work. I also use helmsman clear coat for most of our wood props and walls and it lasts along time.
@@HollywoodHaunter thank you so much. As I said before, there is so little about this process on the web. It’s like searching for diy Japanese woodworking joinery and only seeing pockethole tutorials. So thank you very much for your guidance and background. Love your projects. Especially the Disney signs…and how the whole family dives into it from one angle or another
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
My husband overheard the video and asked - Is that Leslie Knope? Apparently he thinks Jeana sounds like Leslie! 😁 This video helped me hard coat my tombstones last year!
We had the plaster on hand so we tried it first. It didn't work out like we had hoped so we sanded most of it off and then applied the mortar. The plaster is not needed.
Depending on how heavy or large the sculpture is it may crack in places when the foam expands. The paint will also help it hold but it is a nice cheaper way to give a hard coating.
No plaster needed but I would definitely seal the mortar with something. Also you could use a concrete adhesive on the foam before you apply the mortar so it will stick even better.
I don't see why not, I'm not 100% for sure if it gets as hard as a coating but it would most likely work. We wanted to use mostly what we already had up before we tried anything new.
Have you guys ever tried using a stucco hopper to spray on the mortar? I have done this a few times with render i make myself from a PVA additive, sand and cement and a little touch of xypex admix to make it waterproof. Works great for me.
Is there a sprayer tool small enough to use on these? I see the larger 3 and 4 jet concrete sprayers but wonder if special smaller jets could be used or just a smaller sprayer. looking at the larger units, you'd probably waste a lot of material.
Hollywood Haunter Is a chicken wire tree with joint compound something that would last outside? I’ve done that type of sculpture before and think it’s more up my alley than trying foam. Is there a reason you like the foam?
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
You did a great job. Nice to see a couple working together. This makes me want to create giant Mickey Mouse pumpkins even more. I just need to find the giant foam near me. I’ve already made giant Mickey Mouse ice creams 😁
The pumpkin's are so perfect. I was thinking to make really durable soak cloth strips in concrete mix and apply to bottom of pumpkin to reinforce to keep cracks down. Just a thought. Your work is outstanding. 🎃💖🎃
@@dibright1445 You could try it, I can't remember if that holds up to getting wet or not but I think its fine. When we used the plaster first in this video we noticed moisture made it softer so that's why we switched to mortar. The draw back is for the pumpkins we had hoped for a smoother finish. Its perfect for tombstones etc. I wonder what kind of finish the casting stuff would leave?
@@HollywoodHaunter thank you for taking the time to read and answer my question. If I do one with the cast material I wouldn't let it go outside. I will let you know if it works. I'm definitely going to make one or 2, maybe 3 next year. 🤗
Omg, so much information on the products! Thank you! I’m building a little model park for my niece-I have an old soft foam mattress topper... I’m thinking the flex bond will be best? I’m only using the soft foam mattress topper for the mountain(s). I’m putting it all on an old whiteboard cus it already has a frame and I thought it could possibly hold some kind of a plasti dip within the frame-then I can add trees to the wet dip?? I was also thinking that the board will probably flex though also? Lol I’m still honestly just learning. Would love any info. 😅 Thank you ♥️
FYI, It has latex added to it to aid flexibility. There is also a concrete adhesive you can apply first that will help prevent the FlexBond from falling off if you crack the coating. Look up Quikrete Concrete Bonding Adhesive at Home Despot ($18.97 gal). Thanks for making the video.
Thanks! we thought about trying to add paint for tinting to possibly skip the painting process but wondered if it would affect the curing process. The nice thing is it does bond to the foam quite well already its just that like the exterior foam signs and houses here with the foam siding/mesh/stucco, it really needs to be 3/16" to 1/4" thick so then I can stand on them.
I should have said if better, the flexbond has polymers added (used to be latex), just helping fill the spot where he couldn't find what the additive was on the bag. I thought in the video he said some pieces of the coating would fall off if cracked. The adhesive is intended to help avoid that. When you have some spare time (hahaha), try doing some paint added experiments to see how that effect cures. Let us know how it goes.
that sounds like a great idea to try in a video. we are always wondering which types of vids to make in the off season and we like testing out different things. we could even try out the adhesive you mentioned as well. thanks again for your feedback 😆
If you want to slow down the "20 minute" plaster... Use ~cold~ water & add a bit of baking soda to the mix. You will need to experiment a bit with how much to add based on the overall amount of plaster you are mixing. Essentially, raising the PH of the mix will slow the set time. Conversely, lowering the PH will speed it up.
What if the prop is going to be in a professional escape room? Would using a mortar coating be advisable? Or go with the epoxy resin coating? The prop will be touched by several people over the course of a few years...
I'd go with the resin coating for something like that especially a touched prop. Or the mortar would need to be pretty thick like a 1/4" or so and then clear coated. We have used it on faux roc walls at a mini golf course and it worked well.
Wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to respond! I ordered the Epsilon pro that you showed in the video. I'll use that over the Styrofoam, then after a few coats, I'll paint it with grey drylock since I already have a bunch of drylock. Would you confirm that's a great idea? Thanks again for the video and for taking the time to respond! I'm new to the foam world, but videos and insight like yours help me get more comfortable with this medium.
@@StuddedMohawk It should work. I used that product on the telephone pole prop and it worked. I have also used EpoxAmite resin as well on the castle and the snow and dirt mounds of the mini golf that worked as well. Theres videos for those i think if your intrested. There are so many products out there but those I have used and it worked for our projects. I'm sure people that use these products all the time have there favorites and could tell you the best but once you try a few you will get an idea of what you prefer to use. good luck.
You could try but just paint only could cause issues if the resin gets through to the foam. Now if I did it over top all the junk I put on these pumpkins in the video it would probably be ok. Another option is apply thin tin foil pieces over your work using wallpaper glue adhesive. You can push foil down into all the details with a paint brush. That would protect it.
I watched this because I am making beehives out of rigid foam insulation. I need a way to make the inner surfaces of the hive harder so the bees won't chew on the foam. Do you think that plaster or mortar will stick to the smooth surface of that pink foamboard?
kkeegan32 whenever we mix the flexbond mortar the consistency we like is like a pancake or cake batter. i think it ends up being like twice the powder to water but we just keep adding Powder to the water as we stir until it looks right. hope that helps and thanks for the comment
@@gmaw23beauties37 For large projects like this I usually glue layers together. You are never gonna see the seams , especially if you end of covering it with the hard coat
I would, you could coat it with something like drylok or just laytex paint. I'd even clear coat it with something exterior Helmsman Spar Urethane. It may crack over time if the foam expands so the paint may help.
My brother bought me an expensive kitchen hand mixer for my birthday and I don't think he understands why I'm so excited. I am not going to tell him I'm using it for mixing my render :-P
No plaster just mortar, we tried the plaster first because we had it alreadyand wanted to see how it worked. We now just use the flexible concrete mortar with paint. Or we also use several different epoxies and resins if we have the budget instead.
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
you guys are awesome thank you. Im creating a tree to go inside a childs room, do you think a couple of coats of tile mortar would be enough or do you think precoating with plaster is a must - Im trying to be budget conscious but the priority is strength
So you definitely don't have to use any plaster we just did that step because we had some laying around. Here the deal if you make it thick it can work but if it takes a hit from anything the mortar may crack. It is a cheaper hard coating which is why we chose it but if you really want it to last we recommend using a flexible resin like what we used on the carved telephone pole we made a while back. It will be much more forgiving. Even better than that would be a fiberglass outer shell on top of the resin layer but now you're really into it a few dollars. The mortar can give you a hard coat but it is sort of fragile at the same time. thanks for watching!
Enigma Haunt you just need to apply the mortar and then a dryloc, paint, or sealer. in the video we tried applying a sculpting plaster because we had it but I think its better to just apply several layers of the fortified flexible mortar. it will be a rigid coating and have no flex to it so there is a higher chance of cracks as the foam expands. it's cheaper alternative to other foam hard coatings out there. thanks for watching 😄
yes and I'd say try to make it about a 1/4" thick. So two or three coats maybe, it is really up to you and how much time you want to spend I think the thicker the outer shell becomes the stronger it is.
That should work ok and help from pieces falling off. The mud clings pretty well but it does crack sometimes when the foam expandes with the tempature.
I don't why, but this was like my favorite video EVER. Like, not just from you two, but like ever. I love the girl's voice too! So sweet :) Just overall good vibes from this video, thanks 🙏 😁👌🏻
Obnoxious people what r we 2
What I REALLY love is how you guys treat each other.
That is exactly what I thought. I would probably be telling my husband what to do and how to do it, but not in such a sweet way, lol. 🤦 I need to take a page out of your book and be a nicer person. Now back to these absolutely, beyond amazing pumpkins 🎃 holy moly, talk about cool 😎 you guys are amazing. Where do you get such large pieces of styrofoam? Maybe if I keep reading the comments I'll see if someone else asked the same question. Or maybe I just need to watch more of your tutorials, wow, imagine that 🤔. Thank you for sharing your talent, I mean the little bit that you guys have 🙄 ha. So sad that you two are not blessed with any imagination or skills 🎨👨🎨👩🎨🖌️☠️⚰️⚒️🕸️🤢 ha. Very cool 😎😎
that locator trick with the sharpie was brilliant
After working with plaster, mortar or cement, rinse hands with a bit of white (clear) vinegar. Then wash with soap as usual. Restores skin's pH balance & neutralizes the powder's chemical induced dryness.
...unless you wanna leave a Vaseline residue on everything you touch for 20 minutes.
I used to shovel & haul concrete slurry. The boss gave me that tip. He always kept a small bottle of it in the restroom - cuz it works great.
👍😎
Woh dude, AWESOME advice, thank you. X
Love it x
What a cute couple. Thank you for the very useful information!
I can't wait to see you paint them!!!!! When you first showed us the massive blocks of foam I had no idea what you could do with it, and now it doesn't even look like something you made!!! It looks like something from the store!
Thank you very much =)
Its like Doc's always saying... "If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything"
You guys put a lot of work and effort in to these fake pumpkins. Not just a little sculpted styrofoam and spray paint... Really nice! Good job!
Thanks! its hard to stay on track to finish our ideas sometimes because it always ends up being way more work than we think it will be but it's nice when you can be happy with the outcome.
Omg they are so wholesome and adorable together :) refreshing and beautiful to see them interacting. They are oooozing sweetness and love for each other :) great video with lots of info! Thanks for sharing 💖
Thank you for those positive kind words we really appreciate it. Hope you're enjoying any projects you may be working on. Thanks for watching take care. 😉👍
The result reminds me of a Stephen Spielberg TV episode. Great job!
Great work! Other alternatives for a hardcoat are Vinyl Concrete patch mixed with wood glue from Home Depot, or the cheapest Mapie tile mortar from Lowes mixed with the Mapie latex adhesive instead of water. I like the Lowes mix. The mortar is only about $7 for a 50lb bag and the adhesive is $20 for 2 gallons. It comes in grey and white.
Jayson Nickols did you cover the styrofoam with plaster first or just cover your project with the mixture?
5:55
I "Flip" RVs... and to SAND that stuff
I use those GREEN Scrubbie things... from Lowes or the Dollar Store...
I completely stripped and handprinted a Vintage Travel Trailer, by using the GREEN (kitchen, pot scrubbers)...
Works wonders...
I love this video... Y'all are so Great...
Thank you so much for making these videos.. LOVE Them.
Thank you for the tip 😉👍
@@HollywoodHaunter
Since finding out that the GREEN (ruff) Pot Scrubbers do so well... I never use Sandpaper again!!!
Good video, nice work...its good to see the way you work with humor, makes the time fly. we do similar work here in upstate NY.
Came here to find what to coat styrofoam in. Kept watching because y’all seem so nice and fun! Plus I did learn a lot!
You guys are the cutest, subscribed!
Thank you!
What a cute couple you two are. Seems there is always something fun going on where ever and whenever you guys are together.
OMG..... they really are beautiful. Such long hours for you both but what an impact they will have in your pumpkin patch. You both truly are artists. Can not wait to see them painted Jeana and awesome work Chris. 😀
Now to pick out colors....what to choose, what to choose....
You guys are so creative and super intelligent when making these props. Im jelly of you guys lol
Can you raptor liner the foam
I imagine that would probably work pretty well great idea
Im SO glad I found you! I have carved a rock wall for my "jail" that will be permanent outside in north Idaho. I am about to hard coat!
Awesome!
Cool vid!
Thin-set mortar, has latex in it to increase flexibility and adhesion. If one used the white version, I would think that concrete pigments could be used to colour the mortar and save some of the painting time. Though, perhaps not cost.
How serendipitous. I'm making the Jurassic Park gates out of Styrofoam and trying to figure out how to harden it...and you're wearing a Jurassic Park shirt!
Joe Nguyen Have that same shirt! First thing I was geeking about in the video😂
Oh MAN! Thanks UA-cam algorithm! This is literally the *perfect* thing I need for my Stakataka cosplay! It will weigh more than me and I'm going to be dead post con, but holy shit it'll be the coolest cosplay.
Just googled about coating polystrene and got your vid - and I have some of the plaster or mortar based stuff left over from a reno (several bags!) - and the info about making fake bricks on plywood gave me some ideas too :)
So cool. I love making Halloween props. So great bc they are one of a kind. My husb hates when I make props or go all out for Halloween ☹ your so lucky your SO likes Halloween. I make props for Xmas too
its fun finally getting there and being an artist.
Ok so question. If I buy foam insulation panels from Lowe's, what sort of prepping would I need to do to put the flex bond on it? Weight is critical as it's a cosplay, not a prop.
If it's for cosplay I think using something like a smooth on foam safe epoxy product. As far as the foam you can try the mortar but I think it will crack and flake over time for you. You can just apply straight on foam.
The thing is it's of Stakataka and the idea of making it look like a brick wall (like you did with the flex bond) is exactly what I need it to do. Does the epoxy work for this purpose?
@@HollywoodHaunter do you know if the mortar can go straight onto spray foam ? and/or open cell foam (like used in couches?)
Does anyone know what I could use to hard coat/weatherproof a traditional paper mache piece? It's made of newspaper, blue shop towel and flour. I coated with polycrylic, spray painted it, coated twice again with the poly and it still got soggy in the rain. I cut out the soggy area and dried it out and was able to salvage it but I want to make it 100% weatherproof.
Vs doing your initial sanding try using a damp spongue to smooth it out start with instead. There is a limited window of time when it's easier, but it's just as fast as sanding and you don't have all the dust.
So could you put the mortar directly on the foam instead of over plaster?
AudioHouseOnline yes, we just used plaster cause we had it. the mortar is better
Pretty cool stuff
I've also made a lot of furniture.... tables coffee tables out of foam and mesh finished in stucco it's amazingly strong if everything is meshed ..nice work you two
looks really good
Thank you Brent ya that stuff works well. We used to make custom outdoor kitchens, fire places, and fire pits years ago using that stuff. We also just put it straight on hardi backer and cement board and it worked really well. Thanks again.
I'm curious about trying this too. When you say everything is meshed, do you mean you put mesh over your foam, or in the mix? How do you attach it to the foam if you put it on top? Thank you! I've been wanting to try making a little fountain this way.
@@debraherrera8983 hello Debra you put a quarter inch thick layer of mud or basecoat and imbed fiberglass mesh into it .stucco supply company sell 4 foot ×80foot rolls of mesh use a trowel to smooth it out and a wet paintbrush to clean up the corners and details
I love your Jurassic Park T-shirt! That's a like on its own.
do you need to plaster before you thinset over it? or have you tried to thinset directly on the styrofoam?
Just apply thinset
@@HollywoodHaunter ty!
Hi how do you prepare cement for this hard coat? I am working on expanded polystyrene and need to apply cement with a paint brush. So any idea what type of cement do I need and its mixture?
We have just used thinset mortar, but there may be better options for using a cement mixture.
can you apply the morter with out firsth cuating the foam with epoxy?
We have applied mortar straight over foam many times but I think the epoxy layer may help prevent cracking a little better.
The Flex bond what is it actually used for as I need to find something similar in the UK..
I have been watching your content since you built that haunted house outside of your home.
Ever since then I have loved your channel.
But now all you guys do
Is make me love it even more
Keep up the good work and stay spooky d;
Thank you so much!
how much weight does the mortar add? If I made a fake rock this way, would it withstand a person sitting on it? Could I do a similar method with fiberglass and resin?
the mortar does add some weight to it depending on how thick you make it. We don't think it would be the right hard coat choice for anything people have contact with especially sitting on. The resin and fiberglass is a great thing to use and will be plenty strong but it costs more of course. Be sure to use a foam safe resin or coating first on foam so it doesn't melt. Test it out =)
"That's how a real man treats his wife?" I wish I could have found one in my lifetime, maybe in my next life I will be so lucky to find a man like Chris, he is really handsome with a beautiful smile. Gina you are a sweetheart also with a beautiful face and smile. I would love to be able to do this I love Halloween and you could never ever have enough props and decorations. Great work !!
Please post your videos on fiberglass of these pumpkins. Thanks.
if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
what kind of foam is that you use to make the pumpkin and stem?
high density carving foam but I'm not for sure on what pound it was. It great for carving lots of detail.
Excellent, thanks for sharing ! My brains already in overdrive..LOL.💙
These have been so much work, but they look amazing!!!
Can't wait to see them finished!!!
Thank you we can't wait to be done with them now =)
Would you be able to coat it in plaster and then put a cheaper fiberglass resin overtop that isn’t styrofoam safe?
Great info. and demo, so much good stuff in this vlog. Those Pumpkins are looking amazing.
Thanks!
So, I want to make 1/4 ish scale Disneyland jungle cruise waiting cue building in my backyard. Planning on using wood for most building and props, but almost nowhere, could I find out how Disney seals outside props, do you have specific recommendations? Thank you
Since Disney bids out all of thier stuff to several different companies and set shops to make everything many different products are used for the scenery. I know there are a lot of diffrent resins like clear epoxies used as clear coats over things. But they also use a lot of oil based and expensive UV protective paints which last longer. Check websites like Smooth-On for some cool product ideas. We have used several of their resins that could work. I also use helmsman clear coat for most of our wood props and walls and it lasts along time.
@@HollywoodHaunter thank you so much. As I said before, there is so little about this process on the web. It’s like searching for diy Japanese woodworking joinery and only seeing pockethole tutorials. So thank you very much for your guidance and background. Love your projects. Especially the Disney signs…and how the whole family dives into it from one angle or another
Where do you get the foam blocks
When you say the costing goes hard. How hard would you say? Like taking a hammer to it hard or like little knocks and bumps? Thnx
Not hammer hard, its more for handling knocks and bumps.
Can you guesstimate how long will it last outside in Louisiana?
Not sure a few years maybe
can i ask plz where doyou get the large peices of Styrofoam
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
What’s the lightest material that can be used to harden cardboard or spray foam?
An epoxy resin probably
what do you use to paint the thin set pumpkin?
My husband overheard the video and asked - Is that Leslie Knope? Apparently he thinks Jeana sounds like Leslie! 😁 This video helped me hard coat my tombstones last year!
What are you going to do with them after they are removed from your front yard???? Thanksgiving decorations with Charlie Brown????
Not sure, probably just store them out back with the rest of the decorations we've made hahaha I like your idea for thanksgiving though, hmmmm
what's the purpose of putting the plaster on first?
We had the plaster on hand so we tried it first. It didn't work out like we had hoped so we sanded most of it off and then applied the mortar. The plaster is not needed.
@@HollywoodHaunter so just the flex mortar? Also thanks for getting back, love your video.
Depending on how heavy or large the sculpture is it may crack in places when the foam expands. The paint will also help it hold but it is a nice cheaper way to give a hard coating.
Do you have to put the 20 minute plaster on first or can you just put the mortar directly on the Styrofoam? I want to make a replica millstone.
No plaster needed but I would definitely seal the mortar with something. Also you could use a concrete adhesive on the foam before you apply the mortar so it will stick even better.
Would Monster Mud have worked too? Man, you guys do great work! Awesome pumpkins!
I don't see why not, I'm not 100% for sure if it gets as hard as a coating but it would most likely work. We wanted to use mostly what we already had up before we tried anything new.
Have you guys ever tried using a stucco hopper to spray on the mortar? I have done this a few times with render i make myself from a PVA additive, sand and cement and a little touch of xypex admix to make it waterproof. Works great for me.
We have not but that sounds good we will definitely have to try that. Thanks for the info.👍
Hi where is the video of where you painted the pumpkins?
we have a couple vids showing the painting these large pumpkins ua-cam.com/video/PfhaEVBd558/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/cy_BENSWHb4/v-deo.html
Is there a sprayer tool small enough to use on these? I see the larger 3 and 4 jet concrete sprayers but wonder if special smaller jets could be used or just a smaller sprayer. looking at the larger units, you'd probably waste a lot of material.
So what is the cheapest and easiest way to hrs coat for outside sculptures? Thai seemed really difficult.
You could always mix latex paint and drywall mud to give it a lightweight hard coat but you will have to treat it with care.
Hollywood Haunter Is a chicken wire tree with joint compound something that would last outside? I’ve done that type of sculpture before and think it’s more up my alley than trying foam. Is there a reason you like the foam?
Great video very informative 😊
Can you paint the flexibond directly on the styrofoam or does it need something as a primer?
Where do you purchase styrofoam blocks?
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
CAN I LAMINATE THIS WITH POLYESTER RESIN AND FIBERGLASS MAT? OR WILL IT STILL EAT UP THE FOAM EVEN IF IT'S COATED WITH THINSET?
You did a great job. Nice to see a couple working together. This makes me want to create giant Mickey Mouse pumpkins even more. I just need to find the giant foam near me. I’ve already made giant Mickey Mouse ice creams 😁
That sounds fun I'd love to make a big blinking pumpkin mickey.Thank you
you guys are amazing!
Plaster usually crack with only water when it dries, did you add something to avoid cracks?
Amazing brother. 👌💯
Whoa. What kind of professional dremel was that? Also, I have broken three foam cutters so far. :(
this is what ive been looking for, i dont know that we can make giannt sculppture out of styrofoam and not clay, thank you
what type of paint do you guys use on top of the flexbond?
The pumpkin's are so perfect. I was thinking to make really durable soak cloth strips in concrete mix and apply to bottom of pumpkin to reinforce to keep cracks down. Just a thought. Your work is outstanding. 🎃💖🎃
That's a good idea to do Linda thank you for the suggestion. I think that would make it stronger.
Could you use the stuff used to make casts? Like casting for a broken bone.
@@dibright1445 You could try it, I can't remember if that holds up to getting wet or not but I think its fine. When we used the plaster first in this video we noticed moisture made it softer so that's why we switched to mortar. The draw back is for the pumpkins we had hoped for a smoother finish. Its perfect for tombstones etc. I wonder what kind of finish the casting stuff would leave?
@@HollywoodHaunter thank you for taking the time to read and answer my question. If I do one with the cast material I wouldn't let it go outside. I will let you know if it works. I'm definitely going to make one or 2, maybe 3 next year. 🤗
Omg, so much information on the products! Thank you! I’m building a little model park for my niece-I have an old soft foam mattress topper... I’m thinking the flex bond will be best? I’m only using the soft foam mattress topper for the mountain(s). I’m putting it all on an old whiteboard cus it already has a frame and I thought it could possibly hold some kind of a plasti dip within the frame-then I can add trees to the wet dip?? I was also thinking that the board will probably flex though also? Lol I’m still honestly just learning. Would love any info. 😅
Thank you ♥️
Sorry just getting back how did your project turn out did you get to try some different things?
FYI, It has latex added to it to aid flexibility. There is also a concrete adhesive you can apply first that will help prevent the FlexBond from falling off if you crack the coating. Look up Quikrete Concrete Bonding Adhesive at Home Despot ($18.97 gal). Thanks for making the video.
Thanks! we thought about trying to add paint for tinting to possibly skip the painting process but wondered if it would affect the curing process. The nice thing is it does bond to the foam quite well already its just that like the exterior foam signs and houses here with the foam siding/mesh/stucco, it really needs to be 3/16" to 1/4" thick so then I can stand on them.
I should have said if better, the flexbond has polymers added (used to be latex), just helping fill the spot where he couldn't find what the additive was on the bag. I thought in the video he said some pieces of the coating would fall off if cracked. The adhesive is intended to help avoid that.
When you have some spare time (hahaha), try doing some paint added experiments to see how that effect cures. Let us know how it goes.
that sounds like a great idea to try in a video. we are always wondering which types of vids to make in the off season and we like testing out different things. we could even try out the adhesive you mentioned as well. thanks again for your feedback 😆
If you want to slow down the "20 minute" plaster...
Use ~cold~ water & add a bit of baking soda to the mix. You will need to experiment a bit with how much to add based on the overall amount of plaster you are mixing.
Essentially, raising the PH of the mix will slow the set time. Conversely, lowering the PH will speed it up.
Very helpful information. Can't wait to test it out, Thanks!
What if the prop is going to be in a professional escape room? Would using a mortar coating be advisable? Or go with the epoxy resin coating?
The prop will be touched by several people over the course of a few years...
I'd go with the resin coating for something like that especially a touched prop. Or the mortar would need to be pretty thick like a 1/4" or so and then clear coated. We have used it on faux roc walls at a mini golf course and it worked well.
Wonderful. Thank you for taking the time to respond! I ordered the Epsilon pro that you showed in the video. I'll use that over the Styrofoam, then after a few coats, I'll paint it with grey drylock since I already have a bunch of drylock. Would you confirm that's a great idea?
Thanks again for the video and for taking the time to respond! I'm new to the foam world, but videos and insight like yours help me get more comfortable with this medium.
@@StuddedMohawk It should work. I used that product on the telephone pole prop and it worked. I have also used EpoxAmite resin as well on the castle and the snow and dirt mounds of the mini golf that worked as well. Theres videos for those i think if your intrested. There are so many products out there but those I have used and it worked for our projects. I'm sure people that use these products all the time have there favorites and could tell you the best but once you try a few you will get an idea of what you prefer to use. good luck.
Thank you! Truly
@@StuddedMohawk You're welcome 😉👍
What is the gun thing used for the greatstuff? I have to get that.
Fantastic work. Wish you were here in Auckland, New Zealand for commissioning!
Maybe a future visit ;)
nice …. could u glass fibre over that paint layer ? ie make a boat hull outa foam , paint , then put 4 or 5 glass fibre layers over
You could try but just paint only could cause issues if the resin gets through to the foam. Now if I did it over top all the junk I put on these pumpkins in the video it would probably be ok. Another option is apply thin tin foil pieces over your work using wallpaper glue adhesive. You can push foil down into all the details with a paint brush. That would protect it.
What do you suggest for making props people can sit on?
I watched this because I am making beehives out of rigid foam insulation. I need a way to make the inner surfaces of the hive harder so the bees won't chew on the foam. Do you think that plaster or mortar will stick to the smooth surface of that pink foamboard?
you can mix a little drylock paint in with the mortar to help stick even better.
@@HollywoodHaunter thanks for answering!
what is the actual recipe or ratio for the morbid mortar? you guys are great! thanks for showing us the sealers you use.
kkeegan32 whenever we mix the flexbond mortar the consistency we like is like a pancake or cake batter. i think it ends up being like twice the powder to water but we just keep adding Powder to the water as we stir until it looks right. hope that helps and thanks for the comment
Awesome job!! I would like to try sculpting on foam.
Where can I purchase large EPS foam blocks?
WHERE can I find styrofoam this large ❓❓❓❓❓❓PLEASE 🙏
@@gmaw23beauties37 For large projects like this I usually glue layers together. You are never gonna see the seams , especially if you end of covering it with the hard coat
Is this waterproof? Or do I have to add a seal to it? I live in MN so it’s pretty wet the month of October. Please respond!! Thank you!
I would, you could coat it with something like drylok or just laytex paint. I'd even clear coat it with something exterior Helmsman Spar Urethane. It may crack over time if the foam expands so the paint may help.
Hollywood Haunter thanks a lot dude. You’re the man!
Nice work. I like to use waterproof PVA and silversand in layers.
Would a grown person be able to sit or stand on these without them breaking?
these look amazing guys!!
Looking really good, after you get some paint on those, they should fool the Great Pumpkin himself!
We sure hope so!
How did you plastic coat the things? What did you use???
how did you make your large pumpkins out of styrofoam
if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
My brother bought me an expensive kitchen hand mixer for my birthday and I don't think he understands why I'm so excited. I am not going to tell him I'm using it for mixing my render :-P
what kind of foam is the yellow foam?
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
So first you cover it up with plaster than with cement? Can someone answer my question.
No plaster just mortar, we tried the plaster first because we had it alreadyand wanted to see how it worked. We now just use the flexible concrete mortar with paint. Or we also use several different epoxies and resins if we have the budget instead.
@@HollywoodHaunter Thank you for replying so quick. Wanted to make sure cause I want to cover my foam letter table "BABY"
Where can I find a large piece of foam like that our order I can’t find that stuff anywhere
Its not the cheapest but check out foammart
Just wanted to let you know we list some places to get big blocks of foam in this video if your still interested ua-cam.com/video/bPqoaJu6z4U/v-deo.html
Kids kept destroying ours so we made one out of concrete. Lot a Kids hurt them selves kicking it ,might have to post them.
you guys are awesome thank you. Im creating a tree to go inside a childs room, do you think a couple of coats of tile mortar would be enough or do you think precoating with plaster is a must - Im trying to be budget conscious but the priority is strength
So you definitely don't have to use any plaster we just did that step because we had some laying around. Here the deal if you make it thick it can work but if it takes a hit from anything the mortar may crack. It is a cheaper hard coating which is why we chose it but if you really want it to last we recommend using a flexible resin like what we used on the carved telephone pole we made a while back. It will be much more forgiving. Even better than that would be a fiberglass outer shell on top of the resin layer but now you're really into it a few dollars. The mortar can give you a hard coat but it is sort of fragile at the same time. thanks for watching!
Question... So can you please explain again what coating you apply first and then the final coating?
Enigma Haunt you just need to apply the mortar and then a dryloc, paint, or sealer. in the video we tried applying a sculpting plaster because we had it but I think its better to just apply several layers of the fortified flexible mortar. it will be a rigid coating and have no flex to it so there is a higher chance of cracks as the foam expands. it's cheaper alternative to other foam hard coatings out there. thanks for watching 😄
So fortified flexible mortar then Dryloc? How many coats?
yes and I'd say try to make it about a 1/4" thick. So two or three coats maybe, it is really up to you and how much time you want to spend I think the thicker the outer shell becomes the stronger it is.
Thanks for the info. By the way, I just subscribed to your channel. love the videos. keep up the great work.
Thank you =)
You could add a little glycerin to plasticize it a bit and allow for some wiggle time before it dries.
Hi, cool work!
Any idea of how this kind of product works with fibers/mesh?
That should work ok and help from pieces falling off. The mud clings pretty well but it does crack sometimes when the foam expandes with the tempature.
which plasters can you use to apply fiberglass over? or are they all fiberglass friendly?