Go into your recycle bin and collect those soda and beer cans. Force out the bottom of the can with the end of a broom (easier removal later...) after cutting off the top. (full tutorial here) Make some dents and wrinkles in the can.
by MadeByBarb
Easiest Concrete Casting Ever!
$1
1 Hour
Easy
Use your empty cans and make the coolest concrete vessels. Cost = pennies and no fancy mold... You will have your friends saying 'what the'?! (btw, be patient; apparently I am crashing the servers on my site)
Quick-setting concrete mix is used here. I use RapidSet Cementall. Mix up a small quantity and be aware you need to work quickly since it sets i minutes. It should be of an easy flowing consistency.
Pour into the can and turn to coat all the sides. Continue turning to keep from settling on the bottom. It sets in minutes, be patient. Any extra can be poured into next can.
After few minutes it will 'stay put' and you can let it cure for about 1 hour. If the concrete is really thin repeat and pour another layer for reinforcement.
Once it is thicker (3mm or so) and it has cured, you can remove the can. Use caution as it is sharp. I like to use tools and rip the sides down in strips. The bottom is slightly more difficult to remove, so pulling strips work best.
TADA! The finish is super shiny and quite interesting. You can now add colour of preferred or enjoy as is. You can't get an easier mold than this. I LOVE concrete and have a lot of unique projects
Metallic paint seems so appropriate... So cool for so little effort!
Another super simple concrete project just posted: https://www.madebybarb.com/2017/08/21/faux-fossil-forest-coasters/
I just love concrete! Check out my other unique projects
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MacPac2015on Dec 8, 2019Cool. 😎
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Scooteron Jan 15, 2020Great idea. And there are so many cans that need to be repurposed.
Coat the inside and outside, so you can forget about removing the can, easy and guaranteed waterproof.
For colors, tint the concrete. A wide variety of suitable colorants can be found on Amazon, search for "concrete countertop colorant supplies".
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Have a question about this project?
Why do you bump out the bottom of the can?
I tried at first without and it was next to impossible to pull out that part. I'm pretty sure it is formed in such a way that it is very strong and keeps it's shape. Bumping it out makes removal easier.
You said cut slits in the top of can for easy removal but I did not see that you did that or did I miss something, if you do not cut slits in top how do you remove it????
To remove the can after curing you will need to peel back the strips of can, sort of like a sardine can. It can't be just slid out of the whole can since it is too shaped. You basically rip up all the tin! See more https://www.madebybarb.com/2017/07/17/simple-soda-can-concrete/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">here:
Hello:
I love the project with the soda cans, too cool and a very good idea! I am very new to mold casting and I have some Rapid Cement All at home and I casted some in a plastic mold: 12" in length x 1" thick x 1" in height. Can you color this concrete easily? If so, what can you color it with?
Thanks
Lori