If you want to add to the uniqueness of the path in your home environment, try giving a stepping stone that glows in the dark. These stones will look great in your yard or garden, and you can easily make your own. You simply decide whether to paint the stone you already have or make your own glow-in-the-dark stone. You can even design these stones to show your personality and style.
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Method 1 of 3: Painting the Stepping Stones
Step 1. Clean the stones to be used
If you are going to paint the stone, the surface must be cleaned first. Dust and dirt will inhibit the adhesion of the paint so that the results peel off. Wipe each stone with soap and water, then rinse again with just water. Dry the stones before painting.
Step 2. Do the painting
You can paint stones in two general ways. You can buy spray paint, or brush paint. If you are using spray paint, read and follow the instructions for use regarding the waiting time between each spray and the distance between the nozzle and the stone. If you're using brush paint, read the guidelines for the drying time between each coat.
Step 3. Let the paint dry
The paint needs to dry after being applied to the stone surface. Final drying (known as curing) will require a longer waiting time. This is because all the solvents (chemicals that keep the paint in liquid form) must be evaporated. Try not to smear or dirty the paint before the paint hardening process is complete.
Depending on the type of paint used, the waiting time can range from a few minutes to several hours. Read the instructions for use on the paint can
Step 4. Place your stone
Find a good location to place a stone that will glow in the dark. Keep in mind that all night lights (eg garden lights) will make the rock flame less noticeable. So that the flames of the rocks can be clearly seen, place the stones in a dark, open path (eg across a park).
Step 5. Watch at night
After the paint has hardened, dry the stone in the sun all day. The paint will absorb the sun's energy and release it slowly as light (which is much dimmer than sunlight) so it can be seen in the dark.
Street and courtyard lights will make the rock flames invisible
Method 2 of 3: Making Your Own Stepping Stones
Step 1. Open a bag of concrete powder
You can put a bag of concrete in the wheelbarrow. Use a shovel to open the bottom of the bag and lift it so that the contents are left in the wheelbarrow. You may need to shake the bag a little so that no powder remains.
Step 2. Mix the glow powder into the concrete powder
Glow powder is a special chemical powder designed to absorb the energy of sunlight during the day. You can buy glow powder that goes with concrete at a hardware store. Although the ratios vary, most manufacturers recommend mixing 85% concrete powder with 15% glow powder.
- For example, if you have a total mix of 38 L, you would use 32 L of concrete powder and 6 L of glow powder.
- Choose a powder that contains earth aluminate instead of a zinc-based one for the best glow.
Step 3. Mix with water
Read the instructions for use on the concrete powder packaging bag to determine the amount of water needed. Slowly pour in the water while stirring the mixture. When you're done, your concrete should have the consistency of wet mud.
Step 4. Pour the concrete into the mold
Find or create a print of the desired size and shape. Try to even out the dough on the lip of the mold so that all the stones are the same thickness. You should also have as many molds as stepping stones you want to make. The concrete in the wheelbarrow will dry before you have time to pour the second batch of batter into the mould.
Step 5. Wait for the concrete to dry
To dry quickly, dry your mold in a fairly warm place. You still need to wait 24 hours for the dough to dry completely. If you disturb it before it dries completely, the concrete may crack and result in imperfect results.
Step 6. Remove the concrete from the mold
If you are using a reusable mold, use a knife or other dismantling tool to loosen the concrete. If your mold is single use, just break the mold so the concrete can come out. Now, your stepping stones are ready to be placed anywhere.
Method 3 of 3: Designing Stepping Stones
Step 1. Use a stencil for the painted stone
One of the easiest ways to design a glow-in-the-dark stone is to use a stencil. Spread the stencil over the stone you want to paint, and paint the rock through the stencil. Any areas not covered by the stencil will be visible in the stone.
The contrast between the painted and unpainted parts will make the design clearly visible on the stone
Step 2. Arrange trinkets or small objects on the stepping stones
If you are making stepping stones, you can design them by placing the baubles in the dough. As the concrete dries, these tiny objects will stick firmly to the hardened stone.
You can place a variety of objects, such as marbles, beads, small yard decorations, or personal items in the cement
Step 3. Make a mold on the concrete stone
While the dough is still soft, you can use an object to concave the surface of the stone. By doing so, you leave a personal touch on the stone and create the mold. Usually, this is done by placing your hands on the wet dough and making stones with your handprinted design.
