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Faux volcanic rock |
KuKuAhu
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 567
From: Kahiki, Ohio
|  Posted: 2003-01-22 6:55 pm Permalink
The bar will soon become home to a volcano of my own design. I plan to build a frame over which to put layers of mortar. One of those flame pot type lamps will be modified to fit the top, and I'll need to include a small fog machine for the occasional belching of smoke. Also in the plan is a means to create thin glowing lava flows down the sides. I'm going to vacu-form the flows in clear poly carb and then back paint them with semi transparent paint in oranges and reds. These will be set into the mortar with gaps underneath to install what will probably turn out to be rope lighting for that nice fiery glow. I'll back the lighting with red foil, and then touch up the whole works with black paint, maybe some touches of grey for a faux "ash" effect, and a bit of day-glo orange that will come alive under a strategically placed black light. The whole thing should be in one piece and thus mobile when finished (though rather heavy).
So far, I have only come to one snag: How shall I achieve the bubbly effect of volcanic rock? I am planning to try all sorts of things, brushes mostly. I figure a bristle brush pressed into the surface might make the appropriate holes. Then I'll need to add some larger ones with a dowel or two I suppose.
Has anyone done this sort of thing? Simulated volcanic rock successfully?
I'd love to hear suggestions, and I'll be sure to post pics when the beast is done.
pele
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dogbytes
Grand Member (8 years) 
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 2240
From: seattle, wa
| Posted: 2003-01-22 7:09 pm Permalink
how big will your volcano be? (compare to the volcano from The Brady Bunch as a benchmark)
it sounds awesome!
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KuKuAhu
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 567
From: Kahiki, Ohio
| Posted: 2003-01-22 7:26 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2003-01-22 19:09, dogbytes wrote:
how big will your volcano be? |
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I'm going for a mere six to seven feet or so on this one. Just tall enough to prevent most from staring down at it (and thus ruining the effect). It's going to be positioned in a corner and somewhat out of reach behind fake tropical foliage to give it that "far away" look. The lighting is going to be crucial. Red uplighting should do the trick. That and the black light which I mentioned above. Bear in mind that the whole of the space including the floor will be black. Once the volcanic rock thing is perfected I'll be doing the walls in that too. I want to have a very ominous feel to the place.
pele
[ This Message was edited by: pele on 2003-01-22 19:27 ]
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TheMuggler
Grand Member (first year) 
Joined: Mar 26, 2002
Posts: 289
From: Brooklyn, NY
| Posted: 2003-01-22 7:39 pm Permalink
I love this idea and wish I was talented enough to pull it off myself!
Here is something that might work -- put a clear glass container inside the volcano just below the lip. put some water in the container and one of those misters for table top fountains. When the mister is turned on, the mist will pour out the top of the volcano and flow down the sides, like steam. Put red lighting below the pan, and you will get cool shadows above the volcano as well!
-Mike
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Tikitackett
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 15, 2002
Posts: 51
From: Davenport, Florida
| Posted: 2003-01-24 09:42 am Permalink
If what you are talking about is what I THINK you are, then you are talking about the little holes that are there when the lava cools into rock, right?
Well, if it is, I can tell you that the people who built Disney's Polynesian Resort have already solved that problem for you. What they did was use large rock salt (kinda like you would use in a home water softener). As the mortar or exterior starts to dry, press pieces of salt into the mortar in random patterns. Once the mortar/exterior is dry, wet the salt and it will dissolve leaving the appropriate "pitting".
The process was used primarily for the "lava rock" walkways through the resort, which were made of combinations of concrete and other substances which could be hosed down to dissolve the salt faster, so if you can hose down your volcano...the salt will be gone faster.
Hope it helps!
Jason "Tiki" Tackett
www.tikitackett.com
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chefgrey2
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 13, 2002
Posts: 168
From: Elon, NC
| Posted: 2003-01-24 11:52 am Permalink
Just use peat moss in your mix...after the thing sets just brush them out with your wire brush and you'll bet plenty of pockmarks and holes...just break up the moss as large or small as you want....Spectacular effect....
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Traderpup
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 26, 2002
Posts: 1042
From: Long Beach, CA
| Posted: 2003-01-24 12:14 pm Permalink
I'd go with the rock salt idea. It really does work.
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Traitor Vic
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 02, 2003
Posts: 428
From: Greenville, SC
| Posted: 2003-01-25 11:48 pm Permalink
Damn! This sounds FANTASTIC! I wanna see it when it's done! I'll drive all the way across the country if I have to! I'll even buy the rum and mix the Mai Tais! Can I, at least, see a pic of the completed product?
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KuKuAhu
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Dec 23, 2002
Posts: 567
From: Kahiki, Ohio
| Posted: 2003-01-27 8:40 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2003-01-24 09:42, Tikitackett wrote:
If what you are talking about is what I THINK you are, then you are talking about the little holes that are there when the lava cools into rock, right?
Well, if it is, I can tell you that the people who built Disney's Polynesian Resort have already solved that problem for you. What they did was use large rock salt (kinda like you would use in a home water softener). As the mortar or exterior starts to dry, press pieces of salt into the mortar in random patterns. Once the mortar/exterior is dry, wet the salt and it will dissolve leaving the appropriate "pitting".
The process was used primarily for the "lava rock" walkways through the resort, which were made of combinations of concrete and other substances which could be hosed down to dissolve the salt faster, so if you can hose down your volcano...the salt will be gone faster.
Hope it helps!
Jason "Tiki" Tackett
http://www.tikitackett.com
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Brilliant! I love it! That will do just fine, thanks for the suggestion. I imagine that hosing her down will be no problem at all. Although that does mean that I'll have to carry it back downstairs afterwards.....hmmmm....
Quote:
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On 2003-01-25 23:48, Traitor Vic wrote:
Damn! This sounds FANTASTIC! I wanna see it when it's done! I'll drive all the way across the country if I have to! I'll even buy the rum and mix the Mai Tais! Can I, at least, see a pic of the completed product?
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Your mixing? And bringing the rum?
When's good for you?
Heh heh heh...
I'll be sure to post pics of the progress and the finished volcano. Just don't hold your breath, it's much too cold here for hosing down faux volcanos at the moment.
pele
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KahunaMilu
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Aug 08, 2002
Posts: 114 | Posted: 2003-01-28 8:12 pm Permalink
It may also interest you to know about Minwax Red Mahogany 225 stain. I just used it on my very first concrete tiki and it is a perfect lava color. }:)
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the75stingray
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 24, 2002
Posts: 446
From: Dayton, Ohio
| Posted: 2003-01-28 8:42 pm Permalink
Yeah, we definately need some pictures!
This sounds like the kind of effect I am wanting to use around my hot tub. I'd be very interested in knowing how it turns out.
Thanks for the salt & other ideas. As soon as it gets warm around here, I plan to do some serious experimenting!
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Tikitackett
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Nov 15, 2002
Posts: 51
From: Davenport, Florida
| Posted: 2003-01-29 1:54 pm Permalink
Glad to have been of some help! If it weren't for the fact that I am moving (and will still be living in an apartment) I would be building my own volcano! 
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"...It's time to say adieu, but we hope you will always remember the amazing things which happened here in Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room!" -Pierre (1963)
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Biotron2000
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Apr 13, 2002
Posts: 248
From: Bakersfield, California
| Posted: 2003-05-21 5:19 pm Permalink
Any progress to report, Pele?
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Basement Kahuna
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Oct 14, 2002
Posts: 3588
From: Jawja Province, Isle of North America
| Posted: 2003-05-21 5:30 pm Permalink
You can get real volcanic rock at Home Depot, but it is in a bag in chunks...you may be able to use it for texture, though. We have used it to put around our potted plants.
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tikifreak
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jan 15, 2003
Posts: 253
From: Jacksonville Beach FL
| Posted: 2003-10-16 06:28 am Permalink
Here's my attempt at Volcano construction/destruction...... Built this for my girlfriends birthday which is the 4th of July. We had a huge party.....our band "The Live Harmless Reptiles" played for hours....then we shot mortars out of this damn thing after dark. It has since delapidated............we used plaster of paris.
T.F.
[ This Message was edited by: tikifreak on 2003-10-16 06:30 ]
[ This Message was edited by: tikifreak on 2003-10-16 06:31 ]
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