Frequently Asked Questions

[Arthur Schile]

Looking for more information on completeing a perfect stepping stone?  Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get here at Milestones HQ:

Q 1: "How much water do I add?"

A 1:  This is the most important question, and perhaps the one that requires the most skill.  Because the amount of cement in our kits always differs a tiny bit, there is no exact answer.  However, 99% of the time you are safe by starting off with 2 cups of water per 7 pounds of mix (1 cup of water per 3.5 lbs of mix).  Then you should add just an additional teaspoon of water, mixing thoroughly between each addition, until you get the consistency of thick cookie dough or brownie batter.  When the consistency is just righ, it should mound up as you pour it into the mold, and you'll need to push it into the corners of the mold with a smoothing tool.    Be careful - too much water makes for difficult decorating and too little water will weaken the finished stepping stone.

Q 2:  "When can I start making my design?"

A 2:  It is highly recommended that you lay out your design somewhere on your workspace before you mix your concrete.  Once the conrete is mixed, you have about 45 minutes to work with it before it becomes too hard to decorate on.  Having your design decided upon before you mix gives you time to work on perfecting the layout of the design, rather than forcing you to create your design on the fly.  This can lead to mistakes which will effect the look of the final stepping stone.  Once the mix is in the mold, you can start pressing in decorations immediately.  It is best to wait about 15 minutes before pressing in letters and words.  The cement will be just cured enough to make nice crisp letters at that point.  Note:  since the cement shrinks up a little as it dries, you must push all decorations in deeply, covering all edges of each piece - failure to do this will cuase the pieces to pop out once dry.  Cement is not adhesive - it is only the fact that the cement"grabs" onto the edges of the decorations that keeps them from popping out.

Q 3:  "How long does it take to make a stepping stone?"

A 3:  You can make a step stone start to finish easily in an hour.  You can make a stone with a simple design in even less time.  The intricacy of your design will dictate the total project time.

Q 4:  "How long can I work on my step stone?"

A 4:  Unless the weather is very warm, you should have at least on hour's time before the stone hardens too much to be workable.  When you push an ocrafty!ect into the mixture and small cracks form round it, it's time to stop pushing things in.  You can still write/letter stamp in the stone for 10-15 more minutes.  Note: Do your hand/foot/paw prints first, then decorate around them. 

Q 5:  "Can I move my stone right after I finish it?"

A 5:  No.  Leave the step stone right where it is for at least 24-48 hours.  Once the mixture begins to harden (30-60 minutes) moving it will cause small cracks in the mixture that will cause the step stone to crack unexpectedly later.  Leaving it in one place while it cures ensures a good strong stone.  Note:  as the stone cures, you may see a layer of moisture/water begin to rise to the top of the stone.  Lay a paper towel over the surface, blotting it gently.  You may have to do this several times during this 24-hour period.  Once the stone is dry, you may need to sponge off the decorations since they may have some cement residue on the surface or edges. 

Q 6:  "How long does it take to harden, and how soon can I use it?"

A 6:  The stepping stone should be cured in a shady place, and it will be ready to take out of the mold in 2 days.  To make your step stone as strong as possible, do the following:  as soon as the stone feels really firm, cover it with a damp cloth for at least a day (two is better, and 5 is great).  Its ready to put out in the garden or walkway in a week, but it will not reach its full strength for 20 days so try to avoid putting unnecesary pressure on teh stone for the first couple of weeks.

Q 7:  "Do the finished stepping stones hold up in cold weather?"

A 7:  Yes.  Milestones Stepping Stone mix is specially formulated to withstand cold temperatures.  Milestones stepping stones are meant to be used outdoors as a functional stepping stone, so we had to make sure they could handle the elements!  Try to avoid using de-icer or salt on your stepping stones as this will accelarate the erosion of the design.

Q 8: "What about Handprint Impressions Kits?"

A 8:  We make two different types of handprint/footprint/pawprint kits:  Plaster and Clay.  Both are air-dry and non-toxic.  Both types have roughly the same directions.  For best results, wet the hand/foot/paw before making the impression and try to make the impression as soon as possible.  When the clay is at its most moist it will take the best impression.  Sensitive skin (such as that of a baby or young child) should be protected with vaseline before making the impression, and then cleaned with a vinegar water solution after the impression is made.  If a mistake is made, you may smooth it over with a bit of water and try again.  The clay in our kits will shrink as it dries, so it is often a good idea to line the mold (or tin - whatever it happens to be drying in) with cooking oil.  This will prevent it from sticking and cracking as it dries).

Q 9:  "How much mix and stone color do I use for one step stone?"

A 9:  One 12" stepping stone mold will take 7 lbs. of mix and one packet (1 oz) of stone color.  For more vibrant color add 2 packets (2 oz) of color to a large stone.  More than this might weaken the finished stepping stone.  An 8" stepping stone only requires 1 packet (1 oz) of stone pigment.

Q 10:  " I'd like to send a  stepping stone as a gift - how should I pack it?"

A 10:  Surround your finished stepping stone with packing material and put it into a box so that it is completely snug.  Bubble wrap may be used, but is less desireable in general because once the bubbles pop (which sometimes happens with very heavy items) they no longer protect the item.  Make especially sure the edges of the stone are protected.

Q 11:  "Are the molds reusable?"

A 11:  Yes.  Our molds can hold up for as many as 8 times - sometimes more.  Make sure to keep them clean and exercise care when removing cured stones from the molds and you should be able to keep them from cracking.  If the stone becomes difficult to remove or cracks, it's time to buy a new one.

[imqueenmom]

I have just received a marble stone kit for my birthday. It does not indicate if it can go outdoors and what kind of weather it can handle. We have "Chicago" weather so I am concerned about it breaking. Also, I am concerned about the warning label that the sand mixture can cause cancer. Is this the same warning I would receive if using regular cement mixtures..standard? Or is this safe for my young children to participate in creating? Thank you for your response,
imqueenmom in Chicago

[Arthur Schile]

Thanks for taking the time to write us!  These are great questions to ask on our forum, because they are the type of questions we get regularly.  Hopefully my answers will help you and others that visit the forum in the future.

All of our stepping stone kits are absolutely meant to go outdoors.  We use a specialty concrete mix that is fortified against breakage for extreme weather conditions.  This does depend somewhat on the process you followed while making the stepping stone, but if you follow the instructions on curing/drying time then you should be just fine.  I will say that after the weather reaches -30 f. you should probably bring the stone into the garage.

As for our cement warnings on the kits, these are indeed standard.  Cement itself is not considered a harmful substance, but if misused it can be so just be careful.  If young ones are using the cement, wash their hands thoroughly after use.  Never allow them to swallow it.  Also, if you or your young ones have extremely sensitive skin it is probably best to put on some latex gloves before handling it as a precaution.  Specifically, the cancer warning is there because we sell our products in California which is the only state to require labeling Silica Sand (the main ingredient in cement) as a carcinogen.  Silica sand is a common substance, found in abundance as part of the sand that makes up a public beach. 

I hope this helps.  Thanks again for your interest in our products!

[imqueenmom]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. I cannot wait to start ou "family" projecy and enjoy it in our garden. Those answer all of my questions..thank you again..
imqueenmom in Chicago

[aemo]

Hi there,

I bought an Inspiration stepping stone kit for my mother for Mother's Day and would like to include my daughters' handprints.  Is it possible to do this in a concrete stepping stone as opposed to one of the clay or plaster handprint kits?

Thanks in advance,
Aemo

[Arthur Schile]

Hi Aemo -

Thanks for your inquiry!

It is absolutely possible to put handprint (or footprint, or elbowprint, etc.) impressions in our concrete.  To get the best impression, do this 15 - 20 minutes after mixing and pouring the concrete into the mold (just after decorating with glcrafty!, and just before stamping in letters and numbers).  

The main thing to remember is that prolonged contact with wet cement can dry out or irritate the skin, and for people with sensitive skin (especially kids 0-3 yrs. old) this is especially the case.  Make sure to wash any skin that comes in contact with the cement when you are done making the impression.  Also, be sure not to ingest any concrete or put it down the drain!

I think putting a handprint in our kits is the best thing you can do with them - it really makes a lasting, meaningful keepsake.  So have fun and be safe!

Best,

Arthur

[freddy]

I have made impressions of both my dogs paws and would like to color them after the cement has cured. What would you reccommend for paint or ink and sealer for this.

[Arthur Schile]

Hi Freddy,

Thanks for the question.  The very best way to color cement is to mix in a pigment when you are mixing the cement.  This colors the stepping stone all the way through, so that the color stays no matter how many layers are worn off by footprints or time.

However, you can use just about any outdoor paint on concrete.  Spraypaint is easiest to apply, but good acrylic paints allow you to get lots of detail.  Once the stone is painted and dry, you can apply any clear, acrylic spray sealer to help lock out moisture and give it a glossy shine.  These types of transparent sealers can be found most anywhere spray paint is sold.

Good luck,

Arthur

[mylttleponygrl]

i bought the Garden handprint stepping stone.
I made the base and my instructions got wet and i dont have the other half now. I still need to do tie top part with the handprint. But i dont know what to do now. i saved out the 1 1/2 cups but it says something about soak the whole stone but I Dont know what to do after soaking it.

[Jeff Clark]

Hi Mylttlponygrl,

When you remove the stone from the mold, the instructions say to let the stone soak for 15 minutes. After the stone has finished soaking, mix 1/4 cup of water with the 1 1/2 cups of cement mix you have set aside.

Once all the dry cement mix is mixed in with the water, pour the mixture into the indentation in the middle of the stone and smooth out, much like you did in the first steps.

After smoothing the center, you may proceed with making the handprint. After the handprint, you should wait a couple of minutes to write letters in the stone.

After you are finished decorating the stone, allow it to cure for two days, in a spot that is out of direct sunlight and where it can remain undisturbed. The cement will continue to cure for the next two weeks, so be sure not to put too much pressure on it until then, otherwise it might crack.

I hope this has been helpful and if you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at jeff@milestonesproducts.com.

Thanks!!

[Firebabe1013]

Thanks for all the answers I am just beginning to try to work on a stepping stone. With all the help I think I can do it.  Again thanks!!!!!