Park Avenue Bench and Planter

FOUR: CASTING

Sakrete 5000 Plus and CX’s Pro-Formula All-Weather are used to cast both the planters and the bench top to assure fade resistance.

What You’ll Need
  • Table Vibrator
  • Concrete Mixer
  • Wheel Barrow or Bucket
  • Rubber Gloves
  • CX Pro-Formula All-Weather
  • 5000 psi. Concrete Mix
  • Angle Iron
  • Painter’s Plastic
  • Park Avenue Planter How-To Drawings

Step 1 – Prepare for Casting

  • Secure the forms to the casting table using angle iron or angle aluminum. This will help maximize the efficiency of the table vibrators and secure the forms, so they do not vibrate off the casting table/bench.

Step 2 – Pour the Concrete

  • Turn on the table vibrators.
  • Fill the form evenly so the concrete doesn’t dislodge the knockout.
  • Force the concrete down to the bottom of the form, making sure it fills in around any decorative details.

Step 3 – Cover and Cure

  • After the form is full, smooth the top surface.
  • Cover the form with plastic and allow to cure for 5 days.
Previous: Forming Bench TopPark Ave Bench and Planter - Forming the Bench Top | Concrete Exchange

The bench top is just 2-3/4″ thick and spans more than 30″ between the two planters. Heavy reinforcing with rebar and mesh is what keeps the bench intact.

Next: DemoldingPark Ave Concrete Bench and Planter - Demolding | Concrete Exchange

Excavating the rigid foam from the planter boxes is a time consuming process but worth the effort. Be sure to preserve the forms for future use.