Complete guide to creating your own concrete molds! 2026

Complete guide to creating your own concrete molds, creating rubber molds is a great way to capture a variety of textures that can then be replicated in concrete.

Creating your own gum molds is pretty easy, most mold gum is easy to mix (1:1), and the gum is reusable for many, many castings.

Creation of rubber molds

Wood grain

Materials + Supplies:

• Old barn wood
• Transparent lacquer
• Polyurethane mold rubber
• Demolding
• Form the walls

Tools:

• Stiff wire brush
• Size: 16" x 6" x 3/4" high
• Color: Gray
• Technique: Casting

Procedure:

STEP 1: Barn Wood and Grain Rising

Start with a piece of old barn wood.

It doesn't matter if it's been painted, or if it's a little gnarled and cracked.

The most important thing is that it is not wet or rotten.

Use a stiff wire brush to raise the grain of the wood.

Brush in the direction of the grain, not across it.

If you have access to a sandblaster, you can blast the wood very quickly to raise the grain.

STEP 2: Seal the wood

Sealing the wood is important, otherwise air bubbles will escape from the pores of the wood after the rubber melts, which will leave many air bubbles on the surface of the mold.

A semi-gloss clear lacquer works well for sealing. It can be brushed or sprayed.

STEP 3: build the form

Screw some form walls around the board.

They must be higher than the board itself.

In this case, the rubber piece will be molded approximately 1/4" thick.

There is no need to mold the rubber thicker, at some point you are just wasting material.

STEP 4: Prepare for Casting Rubber

Blow any dust or debris from the form and spray the board with a suitable release agent for rubber casting.

This will make it easier to remove the rubber piece once it has cured.

STEP 5: Mix and pour the rubber

Calculate the amount of rubber you need. It is always better to overmix.

This particular rubber is mixed 1:1 by weight or volume.

Mix the gum well with a mixing toothpick or spatula, making sure to scrape the inside and bottom of the mixing bucket.

Be careful when mixing, but work quickly

Pour the gum into the shape. Let cure for 12 hours or whatever is recommended.

STEP 6: remove the rubber

Unscrew the form walls. It may be necessary to cut the rubber if it has come out of the shape. Gently pry off the walls and then lift up the rubber piece.

The rubber picks up all the details of the wood. A quick rinse with soapy water and you're ready to use.

STEP 7: Reassemble the form

The same form walls can be used to mold the new part. Cover the walls with clear tape or use something like Vaseline to quickly seal them.

With the shape ready to go, it's time to launch.

STEP 8:Mix and mold ShapeCrete

Mix ShapeCrete to a moldable consistency and fill the form. Cover the flat back with a painter's stick or straight edge.

STEP 9: Demoulding

Unscrew and remove the mold walls, rotate the piece and carefully remove the rubber mold.

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