Building custom rock bases can be accomplished quickly and easily by following a few simple procedures.

Cut a piece of plywood to the silhouette of the bottom of the base to be constructed.
 

If it is to hang on the wall, cut the wood the shape that is to fit against the wall.

It is also necessary to cut an access hole in the plywood so when the mount is being attached you can reach the threaded rod.

Next, attach supports in the proper positions for the eventual attachment of the finished mount. Make sure they are sturdy enough to support the mount.

 
Using strips of wood, rough out the basic shape of the rock; using an air nailer will make this much easier. Simply nail on the pieces of wood at different angles to create the high points of the rock.
 

Once the wood structure is built, cover it with 1" chicken wire; use a staple gun to hold the wire in place .

Take time to shape the wire, pulling it out in some areas and pushing inward elsewhere. This will add more interest to the final shape of the rock so that it doesn't look like a box painted to look like a rock.

 

 

Next, cut strips of burlap approximately 5" by 12".

Put the strips of burlap in a bucket of water for later use. Mix a thin batch of molding plaster or hydrocal about the consistency of thick house paint. Remove the strips of burlap and let them drain.

 
One at a time dip the burlap strips into the plaster then lay the plaster soaked strips over the chicken wire rock.

 

 

Make sure the strips overlap somewhat. Cover the entire surface of the rock in this manner.

Trim the edges of the base once the burlap and plaster shell is hardened so the base will sit sit flush against the wall/floor.
 
Working in pieces of natural wood can add to the realism of the finished base. If wood is to be added it should be done at this time, make sure you plan for it in your original design so you have a good spot to attach the wood securely. After the burlap and plaster shell has hardened, the rock can be covered with McKenzie's professional Rock Mix.

 

 

Using a clean plastic bucket, add water to the rock mix.

I like to work in small batches, about a pound or two of dry mix at a time. The Rock Mix is designed to set in ten to fifteen minutes so you don't want to mix more than you can apply in that amount of time. Add water to the dry mix until it is a good spreadable consistency.

While the Rock Mix is still workable, various sponges, brushes and tools can be used to texture the surface of the rock to give it a more natural appearance. As it starts to firm up, work in any cracks or other details.
 

Continue this process until the entire rock is covered. Please remember that if you are applying the Rock Mix over plaster and burlap that has set for more than an hour or two you will need to sponge the plaster down with water. If not, the Rock Mix will set up very fast.

Note: If you are making small rocks, they can be carved out of foam rather than the wood, wire and burlap method mentioned earlier. Simply carve the shape out of foam then cover it with the Rock Mix.

Once the rock is constructed and the mix has hardened, wash the rock with water using a rag or sponge. This will remove any plaster residue from the aggregate in the rock mix allowing the mica and other colors to show through.

 

 
Next, mix tempera paint with water to make a thin wash of color to stain the rock.
 
Starting with brown, color various areas on the rock.

 

 
Gradually add black tempera paint to the brown mix while painting the rest of the rock, this will vary the color of the rock.
 
Then use black to darken in the cracks and crevices.

 

 

After the rock is painted, lightly wipe the surface of the rock with a damp sponge.

This will clean the aggregate in the mix and bring out highlights in the surface of the rock.

While wiping the rock, periodically rinse the sponge in clean water.
 

Remember, as the rock dries, the color will become lighter.

Once dry, the finished rock will have a realistic look.

 

 
Position your form to the rock to find the correct anchor point and drill your anchor hole for the form.
 

Secure the form to the base using the access hole to tighten the nuts to the threaded rod.

Note: Adding some habitat material such as moss, leaves or grasses will make the rock base a real customer pleaser.

 

 


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