How to Sand-Cast Fake Rocks

Wet sand holds a detailed shape well, and you can create or change the mold very quickly. If you have an object you want to duplicate, you can press it into the sand and replicate the design repeatedly, without damaging the original.

This means that you can have what nature will never provide: custom yet identical rocks with a unique design, perfect for creating lining a walkway, decorating a garden or building a small wall.

Dimensional lumber
Tarp
Drill
Screws
Screwdriver
Clean sand
Water
Wet cement

Instructions

- 1
  Create a box for the sand mold, placing four pieces of dimensional lumber in a square slightly larger than the size of the rock you want to create. You can work on top of a tarp to protect your work surface from the sand rather than build a bottom for your box; it may also be easier to release the mold if there is no bottom.
- 2
  Drill holes in each end so that you can easily insert and remove screws from the sides of the box, to help release the cast rock and sand mold.
- 3
  Moisten the sand with enough water so it holds a shape. Don't add too much water or you'll extend the cure time for your cement.
- 4
  Pack the sand into the box well.
- 5
  Create a pattern in the sand. Remember, the rock will be the reverse of the mold. For instance, if you want to create a rock with your house number, create a mirror image of the address in the sand.
- 6
  Pour the cement into the mold gently. If you add too much force, the sand in the mold can shift.
- 7
  Allow the cement to cure according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
- 8
  Release the rock by either prying it out of the mold, flipping the mold, or, if necessary, opening the box and moving the sand away from the rock.
- 9
  Wash the new fake rock to remove all sand.

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