Compare Concrete Mixes for Crafting
I know what it’s like standing at the concrete aisle and getting that odd look from the guys at the building supply store… Since I get a lot of questions about which concrete to use I’m going to eliminate some of the guesswork. Follow me as I Compare Concrete Mixes for Crafting
So many Concrete Mixes for Crafting:
When I started buying concrete many years ago, I’d be quite puzzled reading and checking the packages. Someone would often think I was sent by my husband to buy ‘normal’ concrete. After a few attempts of trying to explain what I wanted to do I would just buy what I felt was right since they usually thought I was a bit crazy… Even nowadays there are so many that it’s quite daunting.
Cement and Concrete is not the same:
Do be aware that concrete is usually a mixture of portland cement & other things like sand and aggregates. The ingredients like the gravel give the concrete mixture strength, make it into a rock-like substance once cured.
I did know what I did not want; large aggregate in my mix, which is what the regular Concrete mixes usually have. They are quite cheap and can work for large pours in molds (planters), sidewalk slabs or fence posts. I am usually making smaller projects that are going to be cast in molds or hand shaped for decorative home use.
‘Leaf-casting’ was perfect to make my Concrete crafting tests since I like to work quite thin. These leaves are made with my new favourite; Savoy Cabbage!
Working Fast:
Since time is always short around my place so I like to see my projects finish quickly and I am constantly improving or redesigning so I can’t wait weeks or even days!
I really do love the ‘fast set’ mixes but am not exactly sure about what makes them set & cure so quickly and also so much stronger. There are special additives in the concrete mix resulting in a dense and less porous finish. The sand in these mixes is so much more fine than regular sand as well. Fast set mixes have special chemicals that make curing quite quick. Each manufacturer usually has some version of fast-setting concrete mix. These mixes also come with quite a hike in price, but it’s worth it in my eyes!
All concrete mixes go through curing process that involves hydration. The water is needed in order for proper curing to happen, and ensure that strength is achieved. Traditional bricks are made by firing clay in a kiln, much different than concrete.
Rapidset Cementall:
The above Rapidset Cementall is probably my all-time favourite! The specs say that it can be used at different consistencies and it will cure much harder (up to 9000 psi compressive strength) than regular concrete. I am sure there are specific additives like polymers for strength and those also make it quite moldable at a thicker consistency. This mix does not contain large aggregates.
I learn by testing and it has worked well for many of my projects. Usually readers who have had concrete problems it’s because of their choice of concrete mix.
Rapidset Cementall Concrete Mix will start to thicken in about 30 seconds and can usually be taken out of the mold after 1 hour. The molds that I make are quite stiff and this mix will withstand the vigor needed to sometimes take them out. This mix is super fine, will pick up all the details and provide a super smooth white finish. A shiny finish can be achieved if the mold is also shiny material. It tends to not have many bubbles since the consistency can be fairly fine & does not need as much water as other mixes.
So Strong Concrete:
At a thin consistency it will be easily poured such as the Coasters and the Monster Eggs. The strength achieved in a thin wall is quite amazing! Check out all the projects that this mix is great for.
When reading the specs for different mixes it will give you a clue at how it can/should be used. ‘Featheredge’ means that it can be used at a very thin edge layer. Some mixes will state not to be used above a certain thickness.
The Rapidset Cementall mix can also be used at a thick; sculptable consistency. It will still slump ( a high pile of mix will flatten and sag) but not usually run away. That makes it work well for leaf casting such as the Lacy Circle the Smiling Stones. The workflow can be quite fast since sections harden quickly allowing more material to be added such as around an Orb or a Face sculpture fairly quickly. Temperature will also accelerate the setting/curing.
Dampening the drier sections is good practice before adhering new mix so there is good adhesion..
Quikrete Fastset All-crete:
Different brands offer similar products. Since entering the Quikrete contest I wanted to use a Quikrete product that compared to the RapidSet Cementall. I find this mix is almost exactly like Rapidset Cementall. It does seem like it comes under a few different names; Dual Purpose Grout & Structural Repair, Fastset Repair Mortar and Quikrete Fastset All-Crete. (See a selector guide here) It may be a difference of countries (here in Canada) Do NOT confuse it with any regular Fastset Mix though, as it will have large aggregate in it. If it says that it is meant to make sidewalks, post foundations and foundation walls then it usually contains large aggregate.
When comparing different types of concrete mix read the fine print and specifications.
Quikrete Fastset AllCrete has much of the same qualities, workability and also stated it can be used at all kinds of consistencies. It also a fine powder but the colour is more like a true concrete ‘grey’; darker than Rapidset Cementall.
The DIY Gigantic concrete Leaf Orb used this mix. It performed well at less than 1/2″ thick and the quick-setting allowed great workflow.
Make sure to consider enough overlap as this will make the open-work structure strong.
Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher:
This product will also work well if you can wait a bit longer. Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher also has additives to make it really strong but does not set as fast as the first 2. It has a window of 30 minutes of work time (conditions can affect it) and will be hard in 24 hours. It has good bonding abilities so layering works great as in this Giant Orb making.
You can see it still is a fine mix but I’d say it feels a bit more sandy. It cures to a similar concrete colour to the Fastset. You can see a slight bit more texture in the final product.
Sakrete Top’n Bond:
This is another of the bonding mixes with great strength and it performs very much like the Quikrete Vinyl Patch. Sakrete Top’n Bond will work for the continuous building around an orb shape (ball of some type) or casting of thin leaves. It will set & cure in about day as well.
My 20″ Giant Orbs have lasted well through the canadian winters and are light enough to carry with one hand. Amazingly only 1/4″ thick. These are considered ornamental garden sculpture so if it was stepped on it would likely break.
So, there you have 3 direct comparisons (left to right) Quikrete Fastset Allcrete, Rapidset Cementall, and Quikrete Vinyl Concrete Patcher. This is by no way the only available mixes but it does give me quite the selection. Also notice the difference in colours…
As for sealers; you will notice I often do not seal my orbs since I like the look of old patinated concrete. I am also happy to report I have not had any issues with cracking with these mixes. If you have issues about cracking see this post.
If you are still a bit apprehensive about working with concrete visit my tips post. Believe me; it does not mean that you need to be ‘covered in concrete’ to make some easy concrete crafting treasures! Concrete crafting is like making a cake mix that does not need baking… And you can almost keep it forever! Concrete crafting – made simple…
Hi there,
I am really disappointment with finding the right cement for my fountain that I try to make. Could you please watch this video? What kind of cement this person is using for craft? I already bought couple of bags but both of them not really the same. One was with gravel, the second with sand but, I think, too big. I try to find an expert to help me. I would really appreciate if give me some advise.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IZBaPFYfUk
Thank you
Elena
Isn’t it frustrating!? Clearly they only want to get viewership and not have people be able to make them! I see that it has a fairly moldable consistency to the concrete. There is a product called Sculptcrete but I have not tried it yet since I find it expensive for small amounts and not that easy to get. I do use a fast setting mix as was in the post Rapidset Cementall which becomes somewhat more moldable when it starts to set and less water is used. It is more expensive as well but is much stronger and denser than the usual cheap mixes. Maybe it is best to start with a simple project as these are quite complicated. They really do tease with those videos… If you contact Sculptcrete the may be more able to advise. I have used the Rapidset Cementall for a lot of my projects Good Luck!
Oh, BTW, They did state that they are using portland cement mixed with sand. (2.5 : 1)
Hello, I’ve been reading your posts about different concrete mixes. You write concrete but show bags that say Cement. So I’m confused about that. I’m going to attempt to make a fountain with Styrofoam as the base. Doesn’t concrete have rocks in it? And I’m worried about my choice of mix setting up too quickly as I’m sure I’ll be slow going at first. So I don’t know what to use at this point. Any advice would be very appreciated. Thanks
I just went back to the post and what you see is the brand name for a mix called Rapidset Cementall. It is a very fast setting mix that has no large aggregate it in (no rocks) just super fine sand. I love using this one but if you need hours this won’t work. There are a lot of different mixes and it’s important to read the specifications. If it needs at least 2″ thickness then it prob has aggregate. Also look at the setting time. You can also just use portland cement to make a slurry to dip fabric into and use that as a base for the waterfall as I did here It may be a challenge to have the concrete mix stay vertically on the styrofoam, but I don’t know your exact method. I have seen some who work slowly with a mix of portland cement and fine sand, but it looks like it may take days to fully set. When I do not know a product yet I do some test pieces.
Hi Barb,
I’ve been using rapid set Cement all last winter and summer. For some reason and not sure if its the temperature now, it is taking longer to dry. I’ve put a portable heater in the room to bring up the temp (i cast in my basement) but no matter what i do it seems to take 2 hours to cure and the bottom looks different now. Not sure if i got a bad batch or what but was wondering if you ever had experienced something like this?
In the world of concrete it’s not really drying, it’s curing. I’m not sure if it’s the heat or if the mix is getting old. I’ve had some plates that seem to have a slight different color. I do notice differences in the mix sometimes and do wonder if it’s about it’s age. I had a few tiles that seemed to break too easily. I try to use up everything in the season and seal it in a closed bucket if I don’t. The ingredients are more sophisticated than usual concrete to I can imagine it does get old. I’ve often wanted to talk to the company but I am in Canada and it is from the US.
Hi Barb, love this blog! Curious if you buy a different/special type of Rapid Set Cementall, mine looks very grey compared to yours that looks almost white. I find with the darker grey it’s hard to add colours and look more industrial than I was hoping.
Thanks! That is odd. Are you sure it isn’t the mortar mix? I have sometimes wished it was more grey to actually look like concrete. I also found that when I added a colour like acrylic paint it didn’t like it and got somewhat coagulated. I am in Canada, maybe there’s some difference, but you’d think it’s a standard.
Hi, I am am artist and I am looking for something similar in consistency to a quick concrete to use on a painting, but something that does not have near the weight of concrete. I want to use a lot of it, and it will just be too heavy to use a concrete but not at all cost effective to use a painting medium or modeling paste. Do you know of a product that would work for this?
I suspect that you are wanting to use it like plaster-work. There are many issues with that as the media needs to attach to the surface and also not shrink as the surface won’t. Having some type of modifier that adds some connective(?) strength would also be good. It also depends on how you are going to sculpt it. One way would be to use a styrofoam and then create a finish on it. It would be similar to the face mask There are strong plaster mixes available at sculpture supply stores, maybe they could direct you. It could be fun to play around with some concoctions, I’ve even read that adding soap to concrete makes it get much lighter since it adds air bubbles… As for a perfect answer, I’m sorry I do not have one…
I have tried many different mortar mixes. I know you have mentioned some in this article. What is your personal opinion on the best one to use? Thanks in advance!
My understanding is that mortar mixes made especially for laying bricks/blocks has a different strength than concrete mixes. My favourite mix for making is Rapidset Cementall as I can use different consistencies.
I am shopping for Rapid Set CementAll and Rapid Set Cement Mix. Do you know the difference between the blue bag and the green bag?
I’ve read the specs and I see that it says it contains aggregates in the mix. It is made for larger projects that are 2″ thick or more. The blue bag has no large aggregates in it, very fine mix.
Thank you so much for this information. I like many others find it all confusing as well. Do you know which of them is more paintable? Or has the ability to add a coloring agent? I’m going for a dark grey color and I plan to use it to make 3d wall tiles for covering my stucco walls. I’m a little nervous that there’s too many ways too go wrong.
Grateful, Charlotte
When considering something like that I would also search some groups where there is a discussion by contractors. Personally I see that that paint often fails over time and will need a re-paint… but that said, I bet there are some companies who may guarantee their paint as they often now paint brick houses. It is much more important to speak with a concrete contractor about that as it is not a craft that is easily replaced. Another option is making tests but that would involve a lot of waiting to see…
Absolutely grateful for your blog. Thank you for your talent and willingness to share it.
I bought fluorescent aggregate for cement. I am planning to cast stepping stones with it. The aggregate is expensive, so I though I cast the stepping stones 3/4 of the way up with only cement as a base, and fill the remaining 1/4 space up with cement mixed with the glowing aggregate as a “veneer.”
Question 1: What in your opinion would be the best cement or light texture concrete to use that will withstand the weight of a person, and that will keep the veneer from braking or dusting off the stepping stones?
Question 2: How do I get the glowing cement mix “veneer” to glue onto the 3/4 cement base?
Regards,
Marta
Funny story, I was on a walk and admired someones new aggregate driveway and they told me about that glowing rock. Since you are only making stepping stones you could try the method that they use for the aggregate driveways. Since my interest in concrete I have always marvelled at how the pebbles stay put on the surface of those driveways. I have made stepping stones with ‘sand topping mix and they have held up well, you can add some mesh for extra strength and make them 2″ thick (you’d use a form of some type). The method involves adding the aggregate on the top when the concrete is ready. Since I have not tried this yet, if I were you I would do a really small test piece. Since the pebbles only cover the surface at least you won’t be wasting them. Here is a very clear tutorial (I have often posted on Instructables) Let me know how it goes…
Hi Barb,
I’m making a sitting concrete reaper. I have Quikrete quick-setting cement and Sakrete Mortar Mix Type S. Would either work or do I need portland cement for this type of craft? I intend to keep it outdoors year round. I’m new to cement art but am so excited.. Learning a lot from you…thanks.
Thanks so much for your guidance.
SM
Well, since you have it you could try. There is portland cement in the fast setting concrete mix but you may find that the sand parts do not actually get absorbed into the fabric. You could try to remedy that with a very nubbly fabric, or perhaps putting the mix through a sieve. If I were you and wanted to save from buying a big new bag do a small test piece; like rag over a container like I did here The quikrete one might work depending if it has aggregate (rocks) in it.