[keenxxx]

My in laws had a decorative wall built 15 years ago. I saw the wall being built but only 2 stages @ the end of each day. First day they had concrete blocks assembled w/ mortar. The second day I saw the completed project as pictured. It looked like they simply painted fake stones.

Well I am in the process of painting a concrete block wall and have no idea how they achieved that stone like look using paint? I don't know what they coated the wall w/ either - stucco, surface bonding cement.

 

[stick\shift]

You sure that isn't a stone veneer? Grout lines look like they have some depth which would be really hard to do with just paint.

 

[mark sr]

It could be stucco. Back when I worked in central fla it was fairly common to apply faux brick/stone made out of stucco. Basically the first coat was stucco color and then immediately a color coat was applied with the mortar joints drawn out thru the color coat exposing the underlying mortar color. Some would sprinkle/splash the color coat with something to break up the color [before the grout lines were cut thru]

 

[ClarenceBauer]

It could be stucco. Back when I worked in central fla it was fairly common to apply faux brick/stone made out of stucco. Basically the first coat was stucco color and then immediately a color coat was applied with the mortar joints drawn out thru the color coat exposing the underlying mortar color. Some would sprinkle/splash the color coat with something to break up the color [before the grout lines were cut thru]

Mark you are correct it is called cut Stone also used to make a brick look.

 

[stadry]

15yrs ago - could be stamped 1/4" thick vertical grade polymer-modified cements w/integral base color + next day highlight colors,,, we can make educated guesses from pics but none of us can be 100% certain,,, what's the depth of the mortar joint - 1/16" ? 1/8" ? 3/16"
we do this work basically same: trowel/spray base coat of mortar w/color of desired jnts, o'lay troweled w/thicker top coat w/different color, spray 'n' scrub in highlight colors, create random jnts using bent/folded-over metal strapping, & seal
same process for brick or stone 'cept for brick, we use straightedges

 

[keenxxx]

The mortar joints have very little depth - it literally looks like someone took there finger and drew them in the material. There are no edges in the mortar joints like you would have w/ stones set @ different depths. The mortar joints are also the same width everywhere.

When the wall was built I gave my father in law a hard time because they built the was w/o a footing and it developed a gap between the concrete & wall within month. 15 years later and the finish still looks good though.

 

[mark sr]

The mortar joints have very little depth - it literally looks like someone took there finger and drew them in the material.

I've seen them use a nice tool with a handle or just a stick they picked up off of the ground. I think the mortar would be hard on your finger tip if you used it.

 

[keenxxx]

I've seen them use a nice tool with a handle or just a stick they picked up off of the ground. I think the mortar would be hard on your finger tip if you used it.

Has the appearance of a finger groove but I am sure they used some sort of tool (or stick

 

[stadry]

OR they were guitar/banjo players looking for extra side work

 

[keenxxx]

OR they were guitar/banjo players looking for extra side work

When the work was in progress I thought this is a hack job. Today I am impressed by the durability & color of the crafted stones.

 

[stadry]

aaahhhhhhh - modern polymers :surprise: