So after a horrendous search for some extruded polystyrene, i finally got my 3D background for my 110g started. Carving takes alot longer than i first imagined. This is Owens rigid foam board with DOW expanding foam on top of it on some parts.
First DIY 3d background project, for the archers!!
- Thread starter jonny5
- Start date
UPDATE.
So after another 8 hours i have got more of hte background finished. One thing i think i should invest in for the future is one of those electric carving knives.
This is my first 3d background attempt and you can see the changes in my carving style from right to left. I feel the right is too sparatic with chips everywhere and not patterned enough to give a realistic look; and i feel the left side is too smooth and not sparatic enough to look like real rock.
Oh well, soon i will have the other flank finished and then some colored dryloking will seal the deal.
So after another 8 hours i have got more of hte background finished. One thing i think i should invest in for the future is one of those electric carving knives.
This is my first 3d background attempt and you can see the changes in my carving style from right to left. I feel the right is too sparatic with chips everywhere and not patterned enough to give a realistic look; and i feel the left side is too smooth and not sparatic enough to look like real rock.
Oh well, soon i will have the other flank finished and then some colored dryloking will seal the deal.
Looking good. Little advice: scour the spray foam with a brillo pad or something before trying to concrete it (if using concrete) because it will not stick.
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i wouldnt worry too much about the differing styles end to end.
i had the same affair with my first background.
when you start adding the cement you can smooth over and create ridges as you go.
its alllll in the finishing!
couple of tips!
stab the concrete (top layers) with a paint brush. gives a realistic effect.
brush strokes in different diredctions. as in brush towards 5oclock on background parts and bits that protude brush at a different angle.
i use food colouring to give different colours to the cement (some use cement dyes, but they are a tad expensive)
coat the background in a toy grade clear varnish or my fave, epoxy resin. this stops the water from taking on to much hardness from the lime in the concrete and stops it crumbling!
oh one other thing, does it fit. i measured my first one out but because it was for a narrow tank with bracing, i couldnt get it in.......DOH
i had the same affair with my first background.
when you start adding the cement you can smooth over and create ridges as you go.
its alllll in the finishing!
couple of tips!
stab the concrete (top layers) with a paint brush. gives a realistic effect.
brush strokes in different diredctions. as in brush towards 5oclock on background parts and bits that protude brush at a different angle.
i use food colouring to give different colours to the cement (some use cement dyes, but they are a tad expensive)
coat the background in a toy grade clear varnish or my fave, epoxy resin. this stops the water from taking on to much hardness from the lime in the concrete and stops it crumbling!
oh one other thing, does it fit. i measured my first one out but because it was for a narrow tank with bracing, i couldnt get it in.......DOH
Looks great!
I always wondered, with a background like this, if you could burn out the styrofoam after coating it in concrete and have one massive cave for the fish!
I always wondered, with a background like this, if you could burn out the styrofoam after coating it in concrete and have one massive cave for the fish!
Looks great!
I always wondered, with a background like this, if you could burn out the styrofoam after coating it in concrete and have one massive cave for the fish!
yes! simply chisel off the concrete. if ur going for a rounder finoish to the BG then a blow torch is the tool to use. from start to fininsh