Thread: Mausoleum Construction Question

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I am working on a mausoleum and need some advice.
This thing is a permanent structure, made of wood, and will be outside in temperatures ranging from +30C to -30C. (It will be a mausoleum come Halloween and a creepy storage shed in the off season.) I am wondering how to finish it. Can I slather the wood with a thin layer of Monster Mud for texture and then seal it somehow? The floor juts out into a small landing so I have to finish this as well. Is there such a thing as a shingle-like tile I could put down to protect it from rain and snow? Should I simplify and stick with the kind of sealant used on decks? I am definetly out of my comfort zone here and open to any suggestions.
Thanks.

Boy, I hope someone more knowledgable than me posts. But I've read that monster mud will flake off after awhile.

How much texture are you looking for? You could paint the entire thing with exterior paint then mask off the grout lines and paint the "blocks" with Drylock. It's a water sealing paint with sand in it and really does give a nice stone texture. You'd have to read the can to see what they say about wood, I can't quiet remember.

Some places will hesitate to tint Drylock because it looses it's sealing properties but if you explain your use you can get them to do it. Or I did anyway.

Hey.....what about Stucco! I am sure MM would crack and crumble in short order. Or, just stick with plywood exterior with paintand keep it simple. In the dark, you really will not notic the difference.

My crypt is made of thin pieces of plywood-screwed to my garage door opening.
I coated it in outdoor paint but added lots of sand for texture(kind of like stucco). I also painted some of my foam tombstones with the leftover paint. It is very durable and the stones painted in it have never chipped or dented in storage.

i wouldn't suppose a picture might be possible? it would help solidify the idea a bit more...

if its wood - you have to seal it... bottom line. what you put on it after the sealant dries is of little consequence.

monster mud... i am not familiar with.

anything plaster based must be water proof or it will weather like a sandcastle under a hose. stucco and its relatives - i could be wrong here - i think are plaster based - so you need outdoor versions, which will cost plenty i suspect.

the only thing i can suggest - that looks vaguely crypt like is cement... sorry. how about going for a haunted shack instead... good airbrush job would make it look as decrepit as you like... but simulating stone + all weather + all year... im drawing a blank...

anyone else?

First, you need to paint the wood to seal it.

I'd then suggest some mesh and lightwieght stucco (find a "smooth" variety) for the longest lasting finish. With the smooth variety, you can trowel it fairly flat, then "etch" in joint lines. A coat of paint and you've got the look of a limestone crypt. Every 15-20 years you'll need to re-paint it.

More money and more work, you could track down some 18" or 24" marble (or simulated marble) tile in a light color, and use tile adhesive to glue it directly to the plywood. I'd suggest checking your local Habitat Re-Store, local building supply surplus stores, and the back corner of your local building supply store for "end lots". "End lots" are the last few cases of a particular tile style or color that are unlikely to find a home at anything less than a huge discount. You'll need to re-grout the joints every 5-10 years in such an extremely hostile environment.

Less money and more talent, you could route grooves in the plywood sheeting to simulate limestone/marble blocks, then faux paint it. Lots of information out there on faux painting marble. You'll need an alabaster, a dark grey, and a small amount of black paint. Unfortunately, this *will* wear in the weather, so you may have to re-paint it every few years.

Craig

Thanks so much you guys. You have given me a lot of ideas and I am now off to HD. If it stops raining I should be finished by the weekend. I'll make sure to post pics.
Thanks again!

Bad ol' ross beat us to it, stucco is the way to go !!! and take pics too Lol

quoted from theVanyr :monster mud... i am not familiar with.

Monster mud is a term we use for Drywall mud in the big buckets that you can buy at HD or Lowes and we add a colored latex paint to it mixed in. Like 5lbs of mud to 1 gallon of paint.

just thought I would let you know Hugs

You can use the Stone Effects Paint.. Its a durable outdoor finish that gives a stone like finish and last for a number o years on a properly prepared base ( ie Primed)