The question comes up time and time again, 'How do I keep my blow molds from tipping over?' Securing a blow mold to keep it from falling down, tilting, or spinning in the wind is not difficult but it does take a bit of time. Additionally, a properly secured blow mold will help to reduce the chances of it being damaged when it falls or being stolen by a snatch-and-run thief.
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Here are some of the methods that I have developed over the years. Depending upon the molds I'm securing, a combination of techniques makes sure they don't budge in Chicago winter winds that have approached 70 mph. My blow molds no longer go down.
First rule of thumb: never put your blow molds on a diet because extra weight is your best friend. Buy zip lock bags and fill each with sand or pea gravel being careful not to pack it too full. Make sure there is some room to manipulate the contents.
Slide the filled bags into the mold through the bottom access hole, the back light hole or if the head is removable, right down through the top. I don't recommend filling the mold directly with sand in direct opposition to some manufacturers' suggestions. As condensation occurs and, depending on the mold, rain or snow seeps in, the sand will become wet and stick to the inside of the mold. This wet sand or gravel blocks the light from shining through and creates dark spots on the mold when viewed at night. Additionally, the sand's density creates a dark shadow at the bottom of the mold where the light cannot penetrate. By using bags, the sand is contained so the inside of the mold does not get dirty and the shadow at the bottom is minimized. The bags can also be removed, stored, and used for other holidays or to make carrying the blow molds easier.
For larger blow molds, if the access hole in the bottom is large enough, slip in some bricks. I use five or six bricks in each of my Poloron and Empire choir people for stability and to deter would-be thieves. Weighing in at 20-25 pounds each, they are heavy. After the season the bricks are removed to avoid damaging anything.
Rebar, conduit, garden stakes, or green fence posts in combination with weight, will insure that your blow molds are rock solid. You'll need a hammer and a good supply of zip ties, fishing line, or nylon cordage. Wire can be used but if not coated, it will scratch the blow mold's paint.
One of the best methods is to double stake the blow mold. It's more work and expense than a single stake at the back, but your blow molds will not move or spin in the wind.
To double stake, place the mold exactly where you want it. Tip the mold forward and slide in a piece of rebar or conduit through the bottom access hole. Move the mold aside and hammer in your first piece of rebar. Slide the mold over the rebar and pound another piece of rebar into the ground behind the mold. With time and experience, you will soon learn to gauge exactly where that center point is and won't have to measure for it. Because blow molds are all different, try to pound the outer reba
r in at an angle so it will run up the back side of the mold very closely.
Create a chain of zip ties or cut enough cordage to secure the blow mold to the stakes. If using zip ties, a zip tie gun is a tool you'll want in your lighting kit, especially if you have many molds to secure. When used properly, you want the zip tie to be as tight as possible. There will be no paint loss or rub marks if the tie is tight.
Rebar has a ridged surface, as opposed to conduit which is smooth. When using rebar it's next to impossible to remove or slip off a zip tie without cutting. Rebar has a minor drawback of rusting in damp environments. At the end of the season, if there is any rust present on the blow mold, wipe it down so that there is no permanent staining.
Another simple method is to use scaffolding and racks if you're displaying a choir or a large group of molds that will be closely clustered together. I built a removable scaffold behind each tier of my choir. Assembly is fairly quick, tear down is quicker, it's easy to store, and you don't need to individually stake each blow mold. Scaffolding ends up being less expensive in the long run. The scaffolding is made from seven foot pieces of conduit supported by different cut lengths of rebar and green plastic garden stakes. The plastic does not scratch the blow molds, but the metal interior of the garden stakes is sturdy. Each mold is then zip tied to the scaffold length behind th
e mold. This method is a very effective technique to keep the molds in place, keeps the electrical connections off the ground, deters theft and has some impact in terms of looks.
If you don't mind putting holes into your blow molds, drill a small hole into the bottom area of each, on an angle, and drive a tent stake or gutter nail (available in the roofing section of your local home center) through the mold and into the ground.
You can also attach your molds to a large piece of peg board or a pallet, and screw the molds into the surface. This will keep the molds very steady and is a great theft deterrent due to the weight involved. If you can count on snow in your locale, the peg board or pallet will be covered. Otherwise, paint the board to match your ground cover.
Pegboards are also a great way to attach blow molds to a roof and can be made to fit whatever size mold you wish to place without damaging your home. I needed to secure 16 blow mold angels to my roof so I measured the pitch, cut a 2×4 to the proper angle, screwed the sections of pegboard to the 2×4, and painted the front exposed surface black. Using two toggle bolts, I secured each angel to the pegboard sections. To keep the assemblies from moving on the roof, I used bricks and sand bags behind each angel.
Used singly or in combinations, all of these methods work well and will keep your blow molds in place throughout the display season. Happy Molding!
This article was included in the December issue of PlanetChristmas Magazine.
By Carrie Polales Sansing
Blow molds are delightful decorations, especially popular during the holiday season. These lightweight, hollow plastic figures can bring any yard or indoor space to life. However, one common problem with blow molds is keeping them from toppling over, especially in windy conditions. Let's explore some simple and effective ways to weigh down blow molds so they stay put and look fantastic.
One of the least demanding and most normal techniques to burden blow molds is by using sand. This is the way you can make it happen:
Picking the Right Sand: You can use any kind of sand, yet play sand is a decent choice since it's perfect and simple to deal with. You can find it at most equipment or home improvement stores.
Filling the blow molde with Sand: Most blow molds have a little opening or opening at the base. Just empty the sand into the opening until the form feels sufficiently weighty. You can use a channel to make this cycle simpler and less untidy. If the opening is excessively small, you could have to enlarge it cautiously with a blade, however, be wary not to harm the blow form.
Pros: Sand is modest, simple to find, and viable. It adds a lot of weight without occupying a lot of room.
Cons: Sand can be untidy, and on the off chance that the blow form has a release, the sand can pour out.
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Another famous technique is using water to overload your blow molds. This is how it's done:
Using Water Containers or Water Sacks: Fill plastic jugs or packs with water and spot them inside the blow form. This technique is especially helpful because you can change the weight effectively by adding pretty much water.
Filling and Getting the Water Loads: Just fill the containers or packs with water and seal them firmly. Place them inside the blow form through the base opening. Ensure they fit cozily so they don't move around.
Pros: Water is promptly accessible, simple to change, and non-chaotic. Assuming that you want to move the blow molde, you can simply purge the water and top off it at the new area.
Cons: In chilly environments, water can freeze and extend, possibly harming the blow form. Likewise, on the off chance that the water holder spills, it can make a wreck.
Assuming you want greater security, you can use loads and anchors. This is the way to make it happen:
Types of Weights: You can use different sorts of loads like free weights, blocks, or uncommonly planned loads for beautification. These are accessible at sports stores or home improvement shops.
How to Attach Weights Securely: Spot the loads inside the blow form through the base opening. On the off chance that the blow form has openings or handles, you can use ropes or bungee lines to safely join the loads more.
Pros: Loads give fantastic strength and are not difficult to use. They can be moved and changed depending on the situation.
Cons: A few loads can be cumbersome and probably won't fit well inside more modest blow molds. They can likewise be costly if you don't as of now have them at home.
For open-air blow molds, ground stakes and ties are exceptionally compelling. This is the very thing that you want to be aware of:
Choosing Suitable Ground Stakes: Pick solid ground stakes that can hold the blow form safely. You can see these as garden focuses or tool shops.
Properly Positioning and Driving in Stakes: Spot the blow molde where you need it and imprint the spots for the stakes. Drive the stakes into the ground around the blow form and use ropes or bungee lines to tie the blow molde to the stakes. Ensure the ropes are adequately tight to keep the blow form set up however not so close that they harm it.
Pros: This strategy gives brilliant strength, particularly in blustery circumstances. It's additionally flexible and simple to set up.
Cons: It very well may be a smidgen additional tedious to set up and probably won't look as flawless if the ropes are noticeable.
On the off chance that you like to get inventive, there are numerous Do-It-Yourself arrangements you can attempt:
Utilizing Household Items: You can use sacks of rice, rocks, or even old socks loaded up with beans as loads. These things are generally promptly accessible at home and can be extremely viable.
Crafting Custom Bases and Platforms: You can make custom bases using wood or metal to accommodate your blow form. These bases can give a steady groundwork and add additional weight.
Combining Multiple Methods: Once in a while, using a blend of strategies can give the best outcomes. For example, you could use sand inside the blow molde and secure it with ground stakes outside.
While burdening your blow molds, security ought to constantly be vital:
Ensuring Stability in Varying Weather Conditions: Consistently look at the weather conditions figure and guarantee your blow molds are sufficiently secure to serious areas of strength to endure weighty downpours. On the off chance that serious weather conditions are normal, consider moving the blow molde inside.
Preventing Damage to the Blow Molds: Be mindful not to pack the blow molde or use excessively weighty loads, as this can cause breaks or other harm. Continuously handle the blow forms delicately.
Safe Handling and Maintenance of Weights: Routinely look at the state of the loads and anchors. Ensure they are not harmed or broken down, and supplant them if vital.
Weighing down blow molds can seem tricky, but with the right methods, it's quite simple. Whether you use sand, water weights, traditional weights, ground stakes, or get creative with DIY solutions, the key is to ensure your blow molds are stable and secure.
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