Tit4n
Active Member
I did this in 2010, but due to few people asking me on HOW, i thought id post this up 
This part will take some time to perfect and get right, so try not to rush it and allow at least 1 week for its completion.
Things you will need:
- Acrylic water based paint.
- Styrofoam.
- Acrylic water based concrete/grout/rock sealer. (Non toxic, with no vapours)
- General builders cement mixed with sand
- Backing board. (To which wall be attached to/Formed from).
- PVA glue.
- Liquid nails.
- Stanley knife.
- Vacum cleaner.
Went down to my local general Harvey Norman type store and at the back found heaps of sheets.
Got some perspex and measured the size of the wall in the enclosure to suit.
Spread liquid nails to bond the perspex and foam:
After you apply the foam down, lift it back up to allow some air to create stronger faster bonding.
So now its dry (allow around an hour) you will see a clean canvas:
Once you have drawn a rough idea it will be easier to work from here.
Shaping begins, adding additional foam with liquid nails to hold it.
Start to slice off any obvious sharp corners with the knife, scratching few surfaces to remove the flat boring look.
By this stage the previously drawn concept went in the bin as more ideas came to mind. I dont want to make the wall come out too much to waste the enclosure space, so some texture is in order with a mild basking spot. (While there will also be thick branches inside for more direct basking).
Here you can see more "scratching" to remove the flat surfaces.
Now i have mixed cement+sand, put some render colour in (Optional) and some PVA glue to give it some flexibility and better bonding. Try to create a soup type compound where majority is PVA and only some water to thin it out.
Using a medium size brush i dab it on getting into all the little gaps, line etc.
After the first coat i will let it dry 24 hours and then go again to build it up....
When you get to your 2nd and 3rd coat i advise for you to get a sponge and smooth out some of those brush strokes out.
When cementing stage is out of the way feel free to start painting by mixing the paint with some water and spraying it on with a $2 hand sprayer bottle, creating the effect desired.
After its dry apply black paint into cracks and tights corners/joints to create darkness depth.
(Sorry i didnt take pics of these steps)
Once again get a spray bottle and go over it once more to finish the theme.
Once all that is dry apply the cement/grout/rock sealer and allow to dry (Also with spray bottle) 2 coats is more recommended for durability and especially in high traffic areas. While its drying feel free to sprinkle some sand, loose dirt for traction and a more natural feel/look.
.
.
.
Final product:
Note; Soon i will be selling this enclosure with thermo, lights, timer etc etc as im in process of making a new one
This part will take some time to perfect and get right, so try not to rush it and allow at least 1 week for its completion.
Things you will need:
- Acrylic water based paint.
- Styrofoam.
- Acrylic water based concrete/grout/rock sealer. (Non toxic, with no vapours)
- General builders cement mixed with sand
- Backing board. (To which wall be attached to/Formed from).
- PVA glue.
- Liquid nails.
- Stanley knife.
- Vacum cleaner.
Went down to my local general Harvey Norman type store and at the back found heaps of sheets.
Got some perspex and measured the size of the wall in the enclosure to suit.
Spread liquid nails to bond the perspex and foam:
After you apply the foam down, lift it back up to allow some air to create stronger faster bonding.
So now its dry (allow around an hour) you will see a clean canvas:
Once you have drawn a rough idea it will be easier to work from here.
Shaping begins, adding additional foam with liquid nails to hold it.
Start to slice off any obvious sharp corners with the knife, scratching few surfaces to remove the flat boring look.
By this stage the previously drawn concept went in the bin as more ideas came to mind. I dont want to make the wall come out too much to waste the enclosure space, so some texture is in order with a mild basking spot. (While there will also be thick branches inside for more direct basking).
Here you can see more "scratching" to remove the flat surfaces.
Now i have mixed cement+sand, put some render colour in (Optional) and some PVA glue to give it some flexibility and better bonding. Try to create a soup type compound where majority is PVA and only some water to thin it out.
Using a medium size brush i dab it on getting into all the little gaps, line etc.
After the first coat i will let it dry 24 hours and then go again to build it up....
When you get to your 2nd and 3rd coat i advise for you to get a sponge and smooth out some of those brush strokes out.
When cementing stage is out of the way feel free to start painting by mixing the paint with some water and spraying it on with a $2 hand sprayer bottle, creating the effect desired.
After its dry apply black paint into cracks and tights corners/joints to create darkness depth.
(Sorry i didnt take pics of these steps)
Once again get a spray bottle and go over it once more to finish the theme.
Once all that is dry apply the cement/grout/rock sealer and allow to dry (Also with spray bottle) 2 coats is more recommended for durability and especially in high traffic areas. While its drying feel free to sprinkle some sand, loose dirt for traction and a more natural feel/look.
.
.
.
Final product:
Note; Soon i will be selling this enclosure with thermo, lights, timer etc etc as im in process of making a new one
Last edited:
