How to Make Your Own Concrete Parking Lot Wheel Stops

Whether you set them in a driveway to prevent encroachment into landscaping, in a garage to prevent accidental contact with interior walls or cabinets, or just use them to define the vehicle position in a parking space, building your own wheel stops can save you money and allow for custom shapes not found in standard manufactured stops. The method for fabricating a basic form can be adapted to different lengths or shapes by adjusting the dimensions to your specific needs.

The Form

1. Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood 5 inches wide by 6 3/4 inches long. These will be the end blocks of your concrete form.

2. Mark two pieces of plywood to be cut 5 1/4 inches wide by 49 1/2 inches long. Cut one edge and both ends of these pieces with square cuts. Cut the remaining side at a 15-degree angle, keeping the 5 1/4 inches as the widest side. The opposite side should be about 5 inches wide. These two pieces will be the sides of the concrete form.

3. Cut one piece of plywood 5 3/4 inches by 49 1/2 inches. This is the base of your concrete form.

4. Mark the end pieces cut in Step 1 with a 15-degree angle from each side of the 6 3/4-inch width. This will create a trapezoid shape that is 6 3/4 inches on the widest side and approximately 4 inches on the opposite side. Cut these outside wedged pieces off.

5. Attach the sides cut in Step 2 to the end pieces trimmed in Step 4, keeping the long point of the 15-degree cut against the end pieces (the inside of the form) and flush with the 4-inch side of the end pieces. Secure with a bead of wood glue and stitcher screws. The end of the side pieces should be flush with the face of the end pieces when assembled.

6. Set the plywood form assembly on a flat surface, with the widest opening down, and attach the base plywood piece cut in Step 3 to the form, keeping the ends flush and the overlap of the side pieces equal--approximately 1/8 inch. Secure with a bead of wood glue over the perimeter of the form and stitcher screws about 6 inches apart. Let your wheel stop form sit for 24 hours so the glue can dry.

The Function

1. Prepare the prepackaged concrete mix according to manufacturer’s directions in a wheelbarrow or mortar box.

2. Place the concrete form on a level surface and fill it halfway with concrete mix.

3. Cut a piece of 1/2-inch (#4) reinforcing bar 44 inches long with a hacksaw. Lay the reinforcing bar on the concrete’s surface, approximately centered.

4. Fill the form with concrete mix to level with the top of the form. Use a straight piece of wood to scrape off the excess and smooth the top surface. Lightly tap the sides of the form a few times over the length with a hammer to help the wet concrete fill any minor voids. Let the concrete cure for 6 hours or until the surface is hard to the touch.

5. Turn the form over and, lifting slightly on one end, gently shake the wheel stop out of the form. Use a wet sponge to smooth the surfaces. Allow your wheel stop block to cure for 48 hours.