How We Built Our Hyper-Realistic Cemetery Gate

[@WhiteysWickedWorkshop]

That’s insane! My favorite part is the secret door. You guys could start really fixing up the neighborhood with that awesome looking decor.

[@Michael-Makes-Stuff]

That is absolutely nuts… Even after watching the video, those still look 100% real! What an incredible build. You truly are the master of making everyday materials into things that look scary, vintage, and well worn. I am still in awe of this build. Excellent job, sir! 🫡

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you so much

[@AB-nu5we]

I like the foundational materials - plywood. I live in flyover country and sometimes during haunt season, the wind flies through instead of over. The weight of the thick plywood and the amount used will most likely stop that. Otherwise, plywood is easy to build extra anchors into if needed. Great looking project. Thanks for finding and posting the montage.

[@HLR4th]

These are such a master-work. Forethought for ease of set-up & storage. Durability built in from the start. Finding additional use as a command center. Collaboration with Mrs. VanOaks and the secret door takes it over the top! They define the space, serve as announcement there’s something to see, and act as barrier for safety. Amazing. Thanks for sharing the rediscovered pictures!

[@blackmarketoutpost]

They look fantastic I would leave them up year around 😊

[@allen3776]

Thanks Derek. I slapped together a Nightmare before Christmas inspired column/arch for this year's 30th anniversary, but always figured to make more precise and stable ones for future years. This is a gòod start and I can incorporate the electrical parts into the build as I go along. Thanks for the inspiration over the years! Happy New Year!!

[@suzithewitch]

I love the secret door and how you date the creation of your items, even before you were doing KZbin.

[@rcjgku]

Great timing. My gate columns took a beating this Halloween and it’s time to start version 2.0.

[@PowerChordEPS]

I did a technique similar to this the past Halloween season. I was doing a park sign and for the base I carved individual curved rocks out of the foam, Gorilla Glued them in place on the plywood, heat treated and Dry-Lok them before doing some acrylic paints and some moss. I had people all night wondering if I used real stones and one guy even called me "undefeated." I might make some columns like this next year

[@rozyan3118]

That’s awesome! Do you have any other progress pics from other haunt elements? maybe your more complicated tombstones? I’m thinking of building some this year and the ones with depth scare me, but are needed for more of a variety👻

[@VanOaksProps]

I have a few tombstone videos as well as some monument videos that could be helpful.

[@horses2by]

Wow your Cemetery Gates look AMAZING, thank you so much for sharing!!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for watching!

[@WickerManor]

They break down?! Brilliant. *wheeling my crap around on dollys* hahaha

[@VanOaksProps]

Honestly, I don't usually take them apart. LOL

[@CaravanFarms]

I love yours. Being that mine have to be easy to move and store and we are VERY limited by solar lighting only mine are PVC(to slip over a tpost and build up of foam. I love yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@AnthonySherritt]

All so gorgeous! 🥰

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!!

[@statesrights01]

WOW.. I'd say they could stay up all year around, they look so real. I've seen others build these post and I'm telling you good Sir. You and the Mrs. knocked this one out of the park!! Loved them. Thanks for sharing. Oh and like everyone else is saying.. Love the secret door!!

[@Craftlngo]

These columns look better than every from real brick and mortar built ones! Amazing technique

[@brianlawson5044]

This was just what I was looking for. Thank you and hope your holidays were good and here's to a successful 2024.

[@VanOaksProps]

Happy holidays!

[@jbsbrickkiln9254]

Do you have any advice for a western ghost town? I have several ideas for different props I want to make: a TNT box that goes up and down while triggering my fog machine and a strobe light, a pepper’s ghost of skeletons dancing in a saloon, possibly a drinking skeleton with a fountain pump, etc.

[@VanOaksProps]

Not off the top of my head, but check out @hollywoodhaunter they did an outstanding ghost town a few years back and documented the whole process.

[@andrewking3895]

I love your channel and your work. Your projects add so much value to me - especially in the springtime months where the holidays just feel too far away… thank you for all you do!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks so much for the kind words! It's my pleasure.

[@4315Eric]

Could the bulk of the column be made from rigid foam board, such as 1 inch or 2 inch thick? Would it be sturdy enough? I know it would cut down on weight. I have an indoor use for these columns

[@VanOaksProps]

For indoor use, absolutely.

[@BlanckMortuary]

Fantastic colmns and much easier to store than mine. Mine have morphed over the years and I think are close to 80 lbs each. My son and I refer to them as pain and suffering.

[@TwoWheeledHepkat]

It blows me away how real those bricks look.

[@ourdaleychannel4712]

Mrs. Van Oaks Rocks! (You’re pretty great, too.)

[@VanOaksProps]

Yes she does.

[@wolfman75]

Wow!!! Awesome Work!!! Thank You For Sharing!!! 😮👍🔥💙🤔😎

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@603VIL]

You've chatted about this project with me a bunch, but this video definitely helps to fill in any gaps or questions I had that messaging left out. I do have one more question on this. You mentioned Mrs. Vanoaks applied acrylic? Did you clear coat this at all? I'm surprised you didn't use exterior latex house paint instead for this step. In any event, these babies must be your pride and joy. They are AMAZING! If you ever want to drive them across the country to New Hampshire and leave them with me, I won't argue with ya. 😂...well done, man. Absolutely perfect 🤌

[@VanOaksProps]

I don't believe we did. The combination of Drylok and acrylic paints make for a pretty decent weather resistant coating. After 6 years they're definitely showing some age, but generally speaking they're still in really good shape considering the past 2 years they sat outdoors all year long and even survived the 2 weeks of rain while I was working on the Haunted Mansion door frame project.

[@603VIL]

@VanOaksProps very impressive.

[@sketchyguynv]

That looks permanent so awesome. So it’s permanently awesome even if it’s temporary.

[@slotjournal]

Question - with the proper (moisture/insect resistant basing) is there any way that could be made to work for a permanent outdoor installation? I see foam stone-like products being marketed for similar gate posts, so I'd think the longevity issue is not the foam itself, but whatever is being used for paint/color effects. Is there a protective coating that might help? I have to replace some rotted wooden columns and am looking for a more creative alternative. Thanks - love your videos.

[@VanOaksProps]

I know they make tinted hard coating products, but I have no experience with its long term stability.

[@kaywalker9549]

These are great 👍

[@scottlymbery7948]

Love ya work!

[@notjustcrew1]

Amazing 🤩

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@aristotle_4532]

What was the material for the injection molded parts of the gate?

[@VanOaksProps]

Probably ABS. The finials were purchased from kingmetals.com.

[@aristotle_4532]

​@@VanOaksPropsThank you. The outcome looks very nice even in daylight.

[@franklinneely3006]

I love it thats cool as hell

[@gcps2master5]

I went back and watched the video that's talks about the hard coat, in that one you use exterior paint as the binder instead of the polymer additive. Do you see a big difference between the two?

[@VanOaksProps]

The polymer additive, when mixed at the correct ratio, seems to hold a bit better - but is a lot more expensive (I think. It's been awhile since I bought it).

[@tobster9103]

I’m having trouble finding that video. Could you point me in that direction?

[@Rob_Whitworth]

Thank you Derek. I have started making my columns, and really appreciate you sharing how you made yours. These are awesome. I found your video on how to make tiles and the hard coat for your crypt (kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJXNkmV4aZWsaq8) where the hardening is just tile mortar that you brush on. You mentioned here to use tile mortar and acrylic polymer additive. What are the benefits of the acrylic polymer additive and what would be the mixture ratio?

[@Rob_Whitworth]

Nevermind. Figured this one out. Buy the floor tile mortar and it tells you the ratio on the bag. the acrylic polymer is also sold at the hardware store in gallon bottles.

[@VanOaksProps]

The polymer additive gives the mixture a bit of flex to help withstand props getting moved around. It also helps with adhesion. The ratio is more by appearance than weight. I think I mention in the video, but you're looking for pancake batter consistency.