Artisan Concrete Mix /4,5 kg

Artisan Mix is ten pounds of a specially formulated concrete mix that is ideal for artistic, sculptural, and craft projects. This mix has only fine sand as aggregate, allowing for casting thin sections. The mix cures to a bone white color and may be pigmented using any of the BR Color Series. The mix has all the necessary high-performance ingredients preblended, including curing polymer, such that only water needs to be added. The Artisan Mix also comes with a small amount of powdered Water Reducer 205 to increase flow of the mix without additional water.

Mixing Instructions

The concrete is going to be strongest if no more than 750 ml of water is added. This works out to 0.75 kg of water for the entire 4.54 kg of mix. This much water will give a clay like consistency. If more stiffness is
desired, then add less water

Water Reducer 205

Water reducer 205 is added to reduce the amount of water needed to make the mix more fluid. The entire package of Water Reducer 205 can be added to the full 4.54 kg of mix, and will produce a fluid mix. Smaller amounts of Water Reducer 205 can be added to soften the mix a bit, but not have it be fully fluid.

AC50 Acrylic Fiber (Optional)

These will add some reinforcement into the finished object and will remain mostly invisible, even if the concrete is polished. These fibers are added at the beginning of the mixing process.

AR Glass Fiber (Optional)

These fibers provide the greatest strength, and are great for reinforcing especially thin objects. The fibers are visible if you polish the concrete. If there are concerns about fiber showing in the finish layer of a project, a thin layer of mix that doesn’t contain the fiber can be added into the mold first, followed with a mix that does have fiber. Add the glass fibers at the end of the mixing process so as not to break them.

Pigment

Pigments are typically added by weight, and there is an upper limit to how much you can add without weakening the concrete. The maximum amount of most Buddy Rhodes pigments you should add will be between 0.25-0.5 lb of pigment per 10 lb of Artisan Mix to get the deepest, most saturated color. In most cases, however, you will add pigment to taste—in other words, until you get the color you want. If you know in advance how much pigment you will be adding, it is best to add your measured pigment to the water before mixing for a more uniform color. You can mix and match colors for various shades and tones. If you plan to use Buddy
Rhodes Bone Paste Plus to slurry with, you can also add the pigment to tint the paste.

Bone Paste Plus

Mix with water to a thick yogurt-like consistency. Apply to your finished piece to fill in holes. You can wipe clean, or let dry and polish away. Something to consider—the paste will tint the area where it is applied, even if you wipe it off.This is something you may not notice until sealing. Optionally you can rub the entire piece with Bone Paste and clean it away for even color tinting

Curing

Concrete doesn’t simply “dry out," it needs to cure—to chemically react. The concrete should remain warm and moist for 24- 48 hours. The concrete will be firm much sooner than that, but it won’t be as strong as it has the potential to be if you rush the process. Tip—make a warm place for the concrete and cover it up so the moisture isn't lost.

Polishing
Concrete can polish like stone. You can use abrasives to simply shape the concrete, and you can use abrasives to bring the concrete up to a polish. The Buddy Rhodes Diamond Polishing Pads are ideal as they will last a long time, and they are ergonomically friendly

Glaze

Buddy Rhodes Glazes are available in a variety of colors and apply like wood stain. You wipe on thin applications, and let it soak in fully. More is not necessarily better. It is best to apply in thin layers, allowing time for the glaze to fully dry between applications