GS Rocks And Fake Vines

meghan · #1 09-06-2009, 03:12 PM

So right now Im having trouble paying 12.99 for a fake vine, is there anyway to make a good fake vine at home, Im imagining taking thin bendable wire coating it in something then rolling it in coco fiber and sand. Not sure yet but does anyone have any other ideas? I like it to still be flexible and sturdy when its dried. Also can you make GS rocks and paint them? while still being water proof? Is there something that you could roll a silicone covered GS rock in to make it look like a rock? Maybe playsand or something? Looking for any and all ideas

brp4e. · #2 09-06-2009, 04:41 PM

There are plenty of topics on how to make fake rocks, look through them before you make a topic. you can use great stuff and a powdered concrete patcher or a thin set mortar to make the fake rock, make sure you sand the great stuff or carve it before you put anything onto it. If you want to, you can put the mortar/concrete patch coating onto the GS then when it dries cure the ph and then you can paint it with non-toxic acrylic paint.

froggsong · #3 09-06-2009, 05:18 PM

There is also a thread somewhere where someone made their own fake vines. I'm not sure which one it was, and I am about to leave for work, but if you can't find it with a search I can look for it later tonight or maybe tomorrow. You can either paint foam to make fake rock (make sure it is a plastic safe paint or the solvents will dissolve the foam), or you can cover them with silicone and coco fiber/peat moss/sand/pebbles/etc, or use the mortar/thin set/concrete method. I've even read something on another site where someone made a homemade "playdough" type stuff and baked it, then sealed it, to create fake rocks and hides (probably not going to be waterproof, even if it's sealed really well, or at least I don't think I would trust it).

meghan · #4 09-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Never could find that other thread but I did have an idea, could you use thick hemp? Like the hemp ropes that people use to make necklaces and stuff, only thicker, its alot cheaper than vines.

Nighsliv · #5 09-07-2009, 11:52 AM

Just make sure the hemp doesn't end up too close to the heat lamps, or maybe you should, might end up with a happier more mellow herp

beckdg · #6 09-07-2009, 04:32 PM

roflmao... that's so wrong. if your insurance is good enough you might end up with a whole new house too...

meghan · #7 09-07-2009, 05:53 PM

By mellow herp do you mean dead? Like the monty python parrot. What are the exo terra vines made up of that dosent burn when it gets to close to heat lamps?

froggsong · #8 09-07-2009, 09:00 PM

Well, you wouldn't want ANYTHING to be too close to the lights, since if the vine is close enough to catch on fire it is close enough to SERIOUSLY injure your herps!

You could use natural rope of any type as long as it isn't treated with chemicals or too rough. Also, if you get the right type of rope, you may be able to slide some wire or even a coat hanger inside of it to make it rigid and bendable.

I'll do a search and see if I can find that thread, ok?

brp4e. · #9 09-07-2009, 09:15 PM

why dont you just invest the money into it? It'll be a lot better than you doing it your self.

froggsong · #10 09-07-2009, 09:31 PM

Here's one mention I've found so far... Maybe I read the instructions on another site??? :
making vines follow up.

HERE it is!!!! : Various Questions - In need of Bright Ideas You can skip right to the last post, the guy there quotes the part I was talking about, as well as elaborates on it.