Use real firewood as a prototype for your mold.
To make cement logs, you first need to make a mold based on a prototype. This prototype will be the object that your castings will be based on. Use an existing model or even real wood logs glued together. The latter yields a more realistic result. The moldmaking process is the longest part of the project, requiring two steps: one for making a flexible mold of your prototype and another for making a rigid shell around it that helps it to keep its shape.
Instructions
1. Place your prototype at the bottom of a plastic tub. Place the tub on top of a layer of newspaper in a well-ventilated work area.
2. Don gloves and a face mask. Open your silicone rubber kit and remove the two bottles of chemical within. Place each next to its own bucket. Pour the contents of each bottle into each bucket. The exact amount depends on how much volume you need to fill to completely cover your prototype, plus at least 1 inch on top. Use an equal amount of each chemical.
3. Pour the contents of each bucket together into a third bucket. Stir the contents with a mixing rod for a full minute. Stir until the mixture is an even color.
4. Pour the mixed silicone into the tub until it completely covers your prototype. Let the silicone cure overnight.
5. Turn the tub upside-down, and pry it off of your silicone mold. Place the mold on the newspaper with the end with the prototype pointing down. Dunk plaster bandages into a basin of water and use them to cover the silicone mold. Create three layers of bandages. These will form a rigid shell around the silicone that will help it maintain its shape. Allow the bandages to dry for 48 hours.
6. Turn over the mold and remove the prototype from the silicone. Pour cement powder into a bucket and mix it with water. The ratio for this depends on your cement. Read your cement's instructions for the best estimate. Stir the mixture with a mixing rod until it achieves an even consistency.
7. Pour the cement into the silicone mold until every nook and cranny of the mold is filled. Allow the cement to harden. The time this takes also depends on the kind of cement you are using. Make sure your cement can withstand high temperatures if you plan on using it in a fireplace.
8. Remove your cement logs from the silicone mold.
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