Instructions
Safety First
Because Portland Cement is very caustic, before beginning a project the following Safety Precautions should be taken:
  • Always wear heavy weight rubber gloves that cover your hands and forearms
  • Always wear long sleeve shirts and long pants
  • Always wear a fine particle dust mask when measuring and mixing the cement
  • Always wear protective eyewear or a full face sheild until project is completed
  • Work outside or in a well ventilated area
Supplies Needed
You will need to purchase:
  • Portland Cement (DO NOT purchase concrete.  Portland Cement is an ingredient in concrete)
  • Fine Sand
  • Peat Moss (Sifted)
  • Vermiculite and/or Perlite
  • Mixing Bucket or Wheelbarrel (depending on the size of the project)
  • Forms (Prebuilt forms made of Melamine MDF, plastic containers, heavy weight cardboard lined with heavy weight plastic garbage bags all work well)
  • Garden trowel and hoe
  • Water

Hypertufa Recipe
There are many recipe's that you can use to make Hypertufa.  I prefer the following recipe as it is very strong:

  • 1 part Portland cement
  • 1 part sand
  • 1 part peat
  • 1 part perlite or vermiculite

NOTE: Using a 32 ounce measuring container, one batch of the above recipe will yeild enough finished product to make a small pot.


Instructions
  • Wearing your safety mask and gloves, measure the above ingredients based on the size of your project.
  • Mix the dry ingredients using your garden hoe until evenly blended.
  • Start adding water, a little at a time, mixing thoroughly until mixture is not crumbly or saturated, and a ball can be formed in your hand.
  • Allow mixture to sit for 10 minutes and recheck the consistancy of the mixture prior to starting your project.
  • Line container or mold with a heavy plastic garbage bag (will result in textured finish) and/or spray mold with WD40 or Silicone Spray for easy release
  • Press mixture into your mold, keeping a consistant 1 1/2 to 2 inch thickness
  • Vibrate or tap mold with rubber mallot to remove air pockets and allow mixture to settle half way through and upon completion of forming your project.
  • Lightly mist the wet, molded project with water
  • Cover the wet project with heavy plastic and allow to cure for one to three days, however check the project each day, misting and recovering until ready to unmold. 
  • After your project is unmolded, leave uncovered out in the elements, in a shady location, for one month, wetting the project with water every other day if it has not rained. 
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