how to make outdoor rocks?

[mshipman]

I've made plenty of rocks but none for out doors, I'm getting a new sign made and I want to build some big rocks to incorporate around the sign. What should make the rocks out of? Concrete? Mortar mix?
Thanks for any info

[Peggy Obear]

Well I know from experience that fiberglass has a limited life span outside.  I would think concrete and/or mortar would hold up,  it does in construction.

[mike d]

Talk to mike vernelson, look in tutorials section; "decaying log" posts

[mjroberts]

mortar mix it will hold up. You don't wont the concrete because it has rocks in it and it will be a bit@h to try and make smooth. I made a fish pond out of mortar mix for the walls and floor its a 750 gallon pond and sealed with Thompson's water sealer and no leaks that I know of is been there for about three years now just me suggestion

[FreeSpirit (Wayne)]

mortar mix/ stucco mix with different powder dyes along with some expandable wire

[mshipman]

thanks guys I was at the home depot looking at the mortar mix and stucco mix. What is the difference in the two.
Michael

[mjroberts]

not to much might be some ingredient's that one don't have that the other does but they both will work. What you need to do is use the wire lath and form it to the shape that you want and spread the mix over it and smooth it out with water or how ever you want the texture to look and seal

[FreeSpirit (Wayne)]

thanks guys I was at the home depot looking at the mortar mix and stucco mix. What is the difference in the two.
Michael

the stucco mix has little bit of lime at least that's the way we mix in my younger day helps make the mud slid off the trowel better
and mix a little weld bond glue gives it some flex

[mshipman]

 and mix a little weld bond glue gives it some flex
[/quote]
Where can i get the weld bond glue I'm not familiar with this

[FreeSpirit (Wayne)]

home depot must have it they do up here any hard ware
it's extra strength white glue been around 70's
1 cup for a bag of mix but I use 2cups

[FreeSpirit (Wayne)]

also I don't know if there is new malls being built down there you may run in too some stucco guys
they maybe using stow or drivet  applications  the stucco goes over white peat board or styrene the white insulation
you can shape it to what ever scratch coat with a heavy fiber glass mesh for strength, coat covers the mesh when dry
thin lay of what ever colors you want
dry wall supply should have this /or maybe home depot  comes in 5gal pails pre mixed hope this helps