Post #669281 by For the Love of Tiki on Fri, Mar 1, 2013 3:16 PM

I recently carved a tiki that I'm planning on sticking in the ground. Its got a sizable root ball that is the top of the head - and the tiki tapers to a rather narrow base. Because its so top heavy, I'm planning on drilling some hole in the bottom, then getting some half inch rebar (bent into 90s) and then epoxying the rebar into the tiki - also spreading some of the epoxy around the base for a waterproofing membrane. Then, pouring it into concrete - with the sides of the concrete tapering down & away from the tiki (so that rain will fall away).
The epoxy that I use (Simpson Epoxy), comes in two parts. You'll need a specialty caulking gun that will automatically mix the two parts as it comes out of the nozzle (which you'll also need)- or squeeze it out from the end by using a stick - then the two parts can then be mixed together with a putty knife. Its rather expensive (around $30)- but its good stuff.... On occasion, I'll find it at the swap meet at a greatly reduced price. Note: there are expiration dates on the tubes - and on construction projects they can't be used if they go expired. I have also been putting a coat of this on the tops of my tikis - in case people want to put them outside. I'm sure this will help protect the tikis for at least a couple of years - perhaps more? - but eventually, the sun and the elements dol take its toll.