Intro to Concrete Mold Making and Casting

This is a hands-on, full-day workshop where attendees learn the essentials of mold-making and decorative concrete. Participants will create their own silicone molds, see live urethane mold pours, and work with Buddy Rhodes Vertical Mix and GFRC Blended Mix through demos and guided activities. Blending instruction with practice, the seminar offers a practical introduction to mold-making techniques and Buddy Rhodes products that attendees can apply to future concrete projects.

Sample Seminar Itinerary (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, 6 hrs total, with lunch)

• 10:00–10:45 — Introduction to Mold Making for Concrete
• Importance of molds in precast and decorative concrete
• Examples of mold materials and when to use silicone vs. urethane
• Show demo plaque (~12"x18") and Smooth-Cast puck masters
  
  
• 10:45–11:10 — Demo: Vytaflex 30 Plaque Mold Pour
• Live demo of mixing & pouring Vytaflex 30 into a ~12"x18" plaque mold box
• Discuss mold box design, sealing, release agent use
  
  
• 11:10–11:35 — Hands-On: Mold Star 16 FAST
• Each attendee pours their own silicone mold over a 5" puck model (fits in popcorn bucket)
  
  
• 11:35–11:45 — Break #1 (10 mins)
  
  
• 11:45–12:25 — Introduction to Buddy Rhodes Materials & Mix Designs
• Overview of Vertical Mix and GFRC Blended Mix, along with other products/mix designs
• Discuss pigments, polymers, and fibers
• Show examples of finished projects and surfaces
  
  
• 12:25–1:10 — Buddy Rhodes Vertical Mix — Session 1 (Intro & Base Layer, 45 mins)
• Mix a larger batch of BR Vertical Mix
• Distribute to attendees
• Attendees apply initial layer to armature (premade small tree stump forms)
• Begin initial carving & texturing/stamping
  
  
• 1:10–1:55 — Lunch Break (45 mins)
  
  
• 1:55–2:05 — Demold Silicone Molds (10 mins)
• Attendees quickly demold their cured silicone molds
  
  
• 2:05–2:30 — Demo: Buddy Rhodes GFRC Mix (25 mins)
• Mix a batch of GFRC Blended Mix (50 lb bag)
• Explain spray/slurry methods and fiber reinforcement while casting into premade 12”x18” plaque mold.
• Show applications for thin sections and decorative surfaces
  
  
• 2:30–2:45 — Hands-On: GFRC Mix (15 mins)
• Attendees pour ~1 lb GFRC into their Mold Star Molds
  
  
• 2:45–3:30 — Buddy Rhodes Vertical Mix — Session 2 (Detailing & Finishing, 45 mins)
• Attendees return to their stumps
• Apply finer carving, texturing, and finishing touches
• Instructor shows finished stump example in cooking-show style
  
  
• 3:30–4:00 — Wrap-Up & Q&A (30 mins)
• Review curing, sealing, and mold reuse
• Open Q&A, feedback, and next steps
  
  
• 2:30–2:45 — Hands-On: GFRC Mix (15 mins)
• Attendees pour ~1 lb GFRC into their Mold Star Molds
  
  
• 2:45–3:30 — Buddy Rhodes Vertical Mix — Session 2 (Detailing & Finishing, 45 mins)
• Attendees return to their stumps
• Apply finer carving, texturing, and finishing touches
• Instructor shows finished stump example in cooking-show style
  
  
• 3:30–4:00 — Wrap-Up & Q&A (30 mins)
• Review curing, sealing, and mold reuse
• Open Q&A, feedback, and next steps