Therefore, you may have started looking for a way to generate additional income. You want to earn good money and be your own boss.
How about starting your own decorative concrete mold business?
What do I need to start?
Well, most of these items you may already have in your home or store. Therefore, setting up and starting your own business can be inexpensive, and the profits are huge.
1. Molds
Probably one of the most important pieces needed. If you have poorly made, low-quality molds, your finished products will look like this too. There are many varieties of molds on the market. Aluminum, single-use plastic, rubber, fiberglass, wood and even nature itself.
But if you want the best and most reliable molds that give you the least amount of trouble, a good latex rubber mold with a fiberglass shell to support the rubber is your answer. Sure you can buy cheaper molds that you need to sit in some sand and pack around, but you can’t always get it right. Those molds can be frustrating to use and reduce your profits because of all the fiddling you’ll have to do. How do you vibrate the air bubbles if the item is buried in your litter box? With molds that have self-supporting boxes, everything is self-contained and easy to use. You can pour directly into the mold, shake off any bubbles, and set the mold aside to dry.
Also when you have a quality rubber mold, it allows you to get the detail of a professional sculptor.
So quality molds produce quality garden art, putting more money in your pocket for your effort.
2. Cement and Sand and Stone and Water
Cement: Portland cement in bags from any hardware or building supply store. Yes, you can use QuickCrete mix if you like, but then you are paying for sand and stone at retail prices. I recommend getting a white Portland cement. It may cost a little more, but it produces a nice colored item.
Sand – dry, clean and washed river sand.
Stone: A pea gravel works well. It is not necessary for smaller forms but it gives strength to the cement. The stone will not show on your finished item.
Water – fresh, clean and cold water
3. Mixer
Your mixer can be a simple wheelbarrow or a small electric mixer. Most people have a wheelbarrow lying around, so using it doesn’t add to your startup costs. Using the wheelbarrow, you need to hand turn the mixture of cement, stone, sand and water until you get the right consistency. With a mixer, simply add your sand/rock/cement/water and let the mixer spin while you do other tasks. They can be purchased for around $500 and use a simple household electrical outlet.
4. Tools
Shovel: to collect sand and stone
Bucket – for moving mixed cement and pouring it into your mold
Rasp/File – to clean up any edges of finished cement garden art
Screwdriver, hammer and pliers: always at hand
5. Release agent
Mold release is an oil or wax based product that is applied to the forms before the concrete is poured. Creates a barrier between the mold and the cement so they don’t stick and come off easily when they dry. Mold release agents also help extend the life of molds by keeping them smooth and preventing cement from dislodging from the mold. Different molds take different mold release agents so it is best to ask the mold maker. Some latex rubber molds need a non-petroleum based oil so as not to destroy the rubber and cause it to soften and melt. You can mix your own release agent with castor oil and menthol liqueurs or buy a pre-made mix. Release agents are usually rubbed in by hand or lightly sprayed onto your molds.
6. table
Just a simple spot that allows you to work on finishing your dried artwork at eye level instead of working on the floor.
7. Brush and paint
How will you finish your dry concrete garden art? You can leave them plain white or gray concrete, but by adding color you can add more value and charge more for them. A good quality exterior paint works best. Remember to leave the bases unpainted so that the cement can breathe.
8. Rags
OK, a pretty basic cleaning tool!
9. Shaking table
This is an optional accessory. A vibrating table is a metal platform mounted on springs or rubber with a vibrating motor attached. The vibration shakes off trapped air bubbles and settles the concrete for a nice clean finish. They cost from $500 and up. For smaller molds, a simple rubber hammer and hand shake will work just as well.
Start making beautiful concrete garden ornaments and benefit from low cost and huge profit margins
