The example running figure is set aside to let the critical right leg cure and become as strong as possible. Principles of construction are reviewed next with slight variation with an example form of chicken wire. An old uncle who worked on many projects in Hollywood told me the movie industry utilized everything from foam to slinky metal fabric supported by old bottles for this sort of thing: an egyptian cat as a fiber reinforced sculpture is the next example.
Sift the cement through a fine screen to remove lumps, window screen backed with 1/4Ó wire cloth works well. It is easiest to sift through screen and into a plastic mixing tray, where, after separation, lumps may be smashed into powder with a trowel. Mix acrylic into the cement from a bottle similar to the one visible at the right, use the maximum concentration acrylic. Store sifted cement in a plastic pail. Place a plastic bag over the top of the pail and seal with wraps of twine, see photo example in the glossary.
Mixed cement and acrylic have been applied to both sides of a damp burlap strip and made into a roll. The burlap soaked with acrylic and cement is then placed on the shape. Smaller muslin rolls were unwound around the front legs. The partially unwound roll on the leg has been set aside for the photo below.
At this point the front legs have been covered with muslin, the body and base are partially covered with burlap.
Working with cement, acrylic and fiber is a very relaxed pace compared to traditional ferrocement plaster, mainly because the cure process is less rigorous. The media does become hard with time because it is concrete, yet wrapping it in plastic and returning to work the next day is similar to how one treats clay.
A paint brush dipped in water is helpful for keeping old work moist while applying new material. A spray bottle works even better for this purpose. I applied a repair patch to a test roof made of cement, acrylic and burlap that has been outside for four years and the new material stuck very well, it has gone through the freezing and thawing of one winter outside and shows no sign of separation.
Thin plastic lightly draped around the fresh work and then covered with a larger plastic bag will hold the moisture for several days. A smaller plastic bag placed over the draped plastic before the large bag is helpful for moving the work from storage to work table after the larger bag is removed.
Although the acrylic forms a waterproof skin which helps maintain moisture in the cement, one still must attend to the cure process and keep in mind that concrete needs twenty-eight moist days to reach maximum strength. Six to seven days seems to be about right for the acrylic mix.
