|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| Mosaic Basin Fountain |
Transform your old basin into an attractive outdoor ornament.
|
|
|
|
|
You might think you can't do much with a plain old pedestal basin, but it's amazing how mosaics can transform a surface. We show you how to convert your basin into a creative mosaic fountain.
1
Start with a plain old basin — you can pick one up from a salvage yard. Using a wrench or large shifting spanner, remove the taps and fittings. Then give the basin a light sand to take off the gloss so the adhesive will bond well.
2
Give the basin a good clean. Once it's dry, mark out your design with a pencil so you can change or modify it as you go. We used a lead light design. These are handy, as they break the design into simple sections for each colour. You can also use designs from children's books.
3
When you're happy with your design, outline it with a waterproof black marker.
4
Next comes the mosaic process. We used Authentic Glass Mosaics, which come in a range of colours. Wearing safety glasses and protective gloves, use mosaic cutters to cut up most of the glass tiles into smaller pieces.
5
Mix up your adhesive. We used a white sanded grout with a special latex mixture instead of water. The latex binds the grout together to give extra strength and durability. Also, because the latex expands and contracts, the grout doesn't crack or become brittle. Mix into a wet slurry (about the consistency of whipped cream) and apply with an ice-cream stick to the back of each glass piece. It's best to use fresh grout, so only mix up a small amount of adhesive at a time, to prevent it going "off" too quickly.
6
Press the glass pieces onto the basin, following the contours of your design. It's best to fill out your main design and then come back later and finish off the background. (Use the mosaic cutters to trim the tiles into shape.) When the glass pieces are pressed into place, some of the adhesive mixture will ooze out from the sides. Use an ice-cream stick to wipe off this excess.
7
Once the mosaics are applied, allow the adhesive to set overnight before filling gaps with grout.
8
For grouting, again use a mixture of white sanded grout and latex additive. This time, make a slightly stiffer mix, which should be about the consistency of toothpaste. Use a rubber squeegee to press the grout into the gaps.
9
After about an hour, the grout will begin to dry. Clean off the excess after about three hours with a damp sponge and a bucket of water to prevent it from covering the glass tiles. It should be fully set in around eight hours.
When the grout has dried completely, you may need to use a razor blade to "touch up" any areas where the grout has covered the glass pieces. Give the basin a wipe down with a dry rag to wipe off any residue.
10
Now all you need to do to complete your "fountain" is attach pump
and fountain fittings to the basin.
|
Materials
Materials
Old basin
Authentic Glass Mosaics
Electric sander (optional)
Medium grade sandpaper
Pencil
Waterproof black marker
Mosaic cutters
White sanded grout (by Glass Mosaics)
Latex additive (by Glass Mosaics)
Rubber squeegee
Ice-cream sticks
Bucket and plastic gloves
Safety glasses
Soft cloth
Pump and fountain fittings
|
Cost
Glass Tesserae Pieces: 24 packs of colour at $6.95 each, $166.80
Grout and latex additive, $55.00
Pump and plumbing fittings, $250.00
Total: $471.80
|
More Info
Glass Craft Australia’’s Glass Mosaics are available from leading craft
retailers. For more information, or for your nearest stockist, contact Glass Craft Australia, ph: 1800 635 137.
The pump and fittings are available from most plumbing supply stores.
This project also appeared in the July 1999 issue of Our House magazine.
|
Disclaimer
All Fact Sheets and other material on the Our House website are provided as a general information service only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for the advice of a properly qualified tradesman. Neither ninemsn nor its licensors (including the Nine Network) assume or accept any responsibility for, and will not be liable for the accuracy or appropriate application of any information whatsoever in any Fact Sheet or other material on the Our House web site. Your use of the Our House web site is governed by this disclaimer and the ninemsn's Terms of Use.
|
|
|
|
|
