# Genius Hack: Using a Broken Chair as a Brick Pot Mold Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42GncV_QD9k Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/42GncV_QD9k Generated: 2026-02-03T12:01:42.101+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The creator ingeniously repurposes a discarded red plastic chair found in a pond as a mold to construct a durable, brick-patterned cement planter by filling the chair's structure with cement, sand, and reinforcing mesh. **Key Points:** - The project involves upcycling an old, discarded red plastic chair found in a pond to serve as a mold for a square planter. - The base of the mold is secured with sand packed into the inverted chair, with PVC pipes inserted into the four corners to create drainage holes for the legs of the final product. - Cement and sand mixture is poured into the mold cavity, reinforced with a metal mesh grid placed on top of the wet cement layer. - The walls of the planter are constructed using small, cut brick pieces mortared into the cement mixture against the plastic chair frame, creating a brick-like facade. - After the cement sets for 24 hours, the plastic chair mold is carefully removed by hammering wooden wedges to break the seal and free the newly formed brick planter. - The exterior brickwork is refined by sanding the mortar joints and applying a bright blue paint to the structural edges for a contrasting, decorative finish. - The finished planter, which features four small feet (created by the pipe voids) and a drainage hole, is completed by filling it with soil and planting a small shrub. ![Screenshot at 00:32: The inverted red plastic chair is shown acting as the primary mold, being filled with sand to prepare for creating the four leg openings using PVC pipes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-00-32.jpg) **Context:** This video demonstrates a resourceful DIY project where a man utilizes common discarded materials, specifically an old plastic chair fished out of a body of water, to create a sturdy and aesthetically pleasing garden planter. The technique relies on using the plastic chair as a reusable formwork for casting concrete reinforced with bricks and mesh, resulting in a heavy-duty container with a decorative brick pattern. ## Detailed Analysis The video details the step-by-step process of converting a discarded red plastic chair into a custom concrete planter mold. Initially, the creator retrieves the chair from a pond (00:00). The chair is inverted, and sand is poured into the seat area to level the base and act as a medium for shaping the drainage holes. PVC pipes are used to poke four holes into the sand in the corners, which will become the feet of the planter (00:40). A cement mixture is then poured into the voids created by the chair legs in the sand, reinforced with iron bars inserted into the mixture to strengthen the future legs (00:57). After filling the base area with cement, the main body of the planter is formed by laying small pieces of recycled brick against the inside walls of the inverted chair, using mortar to hold them in place (01:53). The entire interior cavity is then filled with a thick cement/sand slurry, which is smoothed using a trowel and a straight wooden edge to ensure a flat interior surface (02:14). After allowing the structure to cure for 24 hours, the creator carefully removes the plastic chair mold by using a hammer and wooden wedges to break the suction and separate the plastic from the hardened cement structure (02:34). The resulting object displays the internal brick pattern exposed where the chair's openings were, framed by the outer concrete structure. The creator then sands the excess mortar from the brick pattern (02:57) and paints the exposed concrete trim surrounding the brick sections a vibrant blue (04:07). Finally, the planter is ready for use; the creator adds soil and plants a small shrub, showcasing the finished, durable, brick-look planter (04:27). ### Material Sourcing and Mold Prep - An old red plastic chair is recovered from a pond - The chair is inverted and filled with sand to create negative space for the legs/drainage - PVC pipes are used to create four holes in the sand base to serve as feet (00:40) ### Casting the Base and Walls - Cement mixture is poured into the corner voids in the sand, reinforced with iron bars to form strong legs (00:57) - Small, cut bricks are laid against the interior sides of the chair mold, mortared in place to create the exterior brick texture (01:53) ### Filling and Curing - The remaining interior space is filled with cement/sand mix, smoothed with a float and straight edge (02:14) - The entire structure cures for 24 hours before demolding (02:31) ### Demolding and Finishing - The plastic chair is removed using wedges and a hammer (02:34) - The rough exterior mortar is smoothed with sandpaper (02:57) - The concrete trim is painted bright blue for contrast (04:07) ### Final Product - The finished brick-patterned planter, complete with drainage, is filled with soil and a small plant is added (04:27) ![Screenshot at 00:05: The red plastic chair is initially submerged in water before being pulled out to be used as a mold.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-00-05.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:32: The inverted plastic chair is being filled with sand, which acts as a mold base and spacer for creating the feet.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-00-32.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:58: Iron bars are inserted into the cement mixture at the four corners to reinforce the future legs of the planter.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-00-58.jpg) ![Screenshot at 02:17: The creator smooths the internal concrete layer using a wooden board against the outer brickwork for a level finish.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-02-17.jpg) ![Screenshot at 04:08: The exterior concrete trim surrounding the brick facade is being painted a bright blue color for aesthetic contrast.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/42GncV_QD9k/00-04-08.jpg)