You can keep the surface of the casteasy to scrape by lining with cellophane and filling with sand while it cures over the course of several days. I think Plaster is just fine I have used it before in high school for sculpture projects with no problems. The longer you take to clean your latex mold.. the harder the plaster becomes.. and the harder to clean.. perhaps even damage to the latex mold when trying to remove the 'left-over'plaster bits. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. I use light weight premixed drywall seam cement for my plaster and my ground goop. Check out the article for more information about the topic. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. Plaster of Paris is best for patching holes in plaster walls, because its characteristics are more likely to match the wall material. Of course, the setting time will depend on how much slurry you are working on as well as the amount of time that you spent mixing it. But in answer to your question.. Hydrostone and hydrocal are both gypsum products. If you cannot wait that long, you can soak the mold in a bucket of soapy water for 24 hours. Sorry for the poor picture quality but the reddish color of Pa. Stone is not really well represented by my poor photography. Once they are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of laundry detergent. it seems to be just some very fine sand. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? We hope to inspire you. I prime neither when painting. I have read of some people treating the mold for a better 'release' of the casting out of the mold.. but I really frown on it. They use a two-part chemical resin that sets up very well but can actually be softened later with a hair dryer to allow the castings to be bent around curves later. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. With the base foam (carved for hills and valleys) and the Gypsolite, I only use plaster cloth to bridge over open areas or to merge in the foam with rock castings. In the video, how to mix and use ultracal is discussed. For easy and convenient shopping, you can look at online stores for a wide array of products that you can choose from. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? It can also take a lot of details and does not slough off. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and ideas. Hydrocal comes in several versions(Hydrocal/Ultracal/etc). Repair your plaster walls with this DAP 25 lbs. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. Plaster of Paris is just that, a plaster. Always do your own research before making important decisions. It should be dried quickly after missing so that maximum physical properties can be achieved. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. The next step is to pour the mixture. Hydrocal white is my preferred casting medium, mostly because I know how it "works." Hardens like a rock quickly. Plaster of Paris is 'softer', and can be carved. The process of heating the powder is called calcining. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. Hydrocal White is versatile gypsum cement that is an excellent choice for making solid and hollow castings. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. For rocks and structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is probably OK. Save. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. Grinding is a cave mans job, even the most simple tools will do. I cut my teeth using p.o.p. So far, it is strong. What is the difference between Hydrocal and Ultracal? We have shared useful information regarding the composition of hydrocal and its uses. While some of their components are not the same, both are made for the same purposes like casting and molding. You need to use water at temperatures between 70 and 100 Fahrenheit. You can check out the article for useful tips and ideas that you can refer to when working with plaster of Paris. When painting the plaster into the mold.. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. So that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $4.25 a pound. it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. what do they make the real out of? Alternatives that you can choose from if you do not want to use plaster of Paris includes mixing lime and water, soy powder and water, chalk and water, and acrylic undercoat. BUT. (there's that but again), make sure it's the slower setting type. There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. To help you get started, we will discuss two of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Allowing the first coat to dry overnight, two more coats one hour apart are enough to make a firm scenery base. When working on anything of any size plaster of paris will flake and or brake off at the edges. -Crandell Reply HHPATH56 Member since March 2007 947 posts This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. On ballast.. Let it soak for one to two minutes. Generally, the crystals form a structure in the plaster that provides it strength. Hydrocal doesn't take paint easily. Hydrocal molds can be heated at a maximum temperature of 120 F. Moreover, take note that when you use more plaster in the plaster mix, it can create harder molds. Hydrocal is harder and holds detail better. Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/. Way stronger. This keeps a hard calcified layer from forming on the top. We have also shared tips and ideas for both materials. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. While hydrocal is an excellent product, it is usually sold in really small packages and can be expensive. The Sacrete liquid, and paint just doesn't work that well. He specializes in some fantastic castings. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. Something I learned real quick about painting plaster of paris. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. By While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. If it is your first time to hear about this material, you can check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information. Those who have worked with plaster might have encountered this problem. I was wondering about this idea after helping my son-in-law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams. Paste as plain text instead, Like ultracal and other gypsum material, it is used for casting sculptures for crafts, arts, and other projects. It shows how to cast shydrocal white into a plaster mold with the use of a fiberglass mat. As compared to plaster of Paris, hydrocal takes a lot more details and they do not slough off so you do not have to deal with lots of dust and chips. Most of the time, we choose a material for the project that we are working thinking that it is an excellent choice, only to find out in the end that the material is not the correct one. I stopped using much plaster cloth after I discovered foam scenery. You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? Hardens like a rock quickly. Hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is tough. Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. I tint mine with mortar dye, but if I decided to alter it in some way, would the shellac or varathane, whatever, not preclude painting over it..or will acrylics "take"? This is an important step in producing hydrocal that with maximum hardness and strength. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. Hydrocal has many uses. manage your account online and more! . Hydrocal is waterproof. Ultracal is gypsum cement that has low absorption and is usually used for case molds. I used Hydrocal White for many years with no seriouscomplaints, but more recently have been using a product called Tecstone (It's a dental plaster). 10 replies. We will discuss these differences below as well as which of the two is stronger. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. CustomTerrain shared the video below on YouTube. so I am comfortable with this for scenery and rock molds. M. Many of the castings on our layout are his. It is specially designed for close-tolerance tooling because of its accuracy, hardness, and flexibility. It is a high-quality, quick-setting plaster that is usually normally used with gauged lime putty. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. You might be washing the dishes when all of a sudden brown water comes out of the faucet and makes you wonder what causes it. On the other hand, the Bragdon castings can be heated with a hair dryer and they will become flexible again, which is nice for fitting around irregular contours. These outlets will also have the "veneering" plasters like Unical. It's heavier than Hydrocal but I have no complaints. When plaster of Paris sloughs off, it results in dust and chips continously. #1 MOULDING PLASTER - Often referred to as "plaster of paris" or soft plaster. It would do so after priming. We have also shared this article titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. Ah to make this very short. The last step is drying. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . On the other hand, when you use less plaster, it creates more porous as well as brittle molds. Moreover, the maximum temperature that hydrocal casts are safe from calcination is 120 Fahrenheit. For a head cast you will absolutely want hydrocal. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. Strictly my O/P as some doe paint hydrocal to seal it first. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. Hydrocal cures to a very hard stone like surface, where Plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky. Both have pros and cons so you need to make sure that you weigh out your options to make the best choice based on the project that you are working on. my photos. Wash the molds on the sink. Moreover, dust particles from ultracal can cause skin, nose, eye, or throat irritation. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. Bob Hahn. I pour less.. and use a clothstrip on the back for added strength. Decorating is poetry. Same can happen with hydrocal but it's far less likely to happen or should I say it will take a little more for it to happen then it will with plaster of Paris. Mix the glue to the water and plaster mixture. You can mechanically mix hydrocal by batch and continuous processes. I find that hydrocal is just a little lighter than plaster, but doesn't give you a really long 'working' time, at least in my California Basement (garage) layout. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? They are flexible and can be used for various arts and craft projects. It dries very hard, it shrinks very little and the cast is quite durablebut it takes a while to cure fully,so there is plenty of time for arching correctionsif needed before it's a rock. It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. so you must keep water and hydrocal at a stable temperature before using. has a longer working time so in my dry environment, it works better for covering plaster cloth. Hydrocal is a gypsum product that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand case molds. This just take 10 seconds to clean. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I like the rigid insulation board concept. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. The difference is that hydrostone is considerably harder and lacks the period of plasticity in the setting curve which enables the plaster to be worked directly. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. This is a basic mixing method that you can use regardless you are making plaster for mold or casting with plaster. Shake off the excess water and lay the molds on the table to the floor. What is hydrocal? But it is awfully good for rock castings. What I like to do w/ that huge bag of Hydrcal is to rebag in smaller more managable amounts. you get far greater detail then you would by painting. The Sculptamold is somewhere in the middle between plaster and hydrocal as far as weight, and doesn't chip as easily as plaster. Seal it first. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. Cuts easily, pulls away from the castwell, and you can get a very nice, tight, outline of the instrument every time. Decorating is poetry. Check out the rest of the article below for more information. Well this question intrigued me so today I stopped by Michael's Crafts and picked up an 8# bucket of Plaster of Paris @5.29. Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. I have poured large faces of rocks.. using less and less dental plaster. Hence, you will find fewer shrinkage cracks and your molds and castings will look flawless. This allows for much better detail carving. Bugs love plaster of paris. Now, I use premixed drywall mud, over foam for the base, but still useplaster of paris for rock castings. What is the difference with Plaste of paris? It is 30 to 50 percent harder as compared to other casting plaster. Add cup of white glue into the water. Do not use ultracal when making molds that enclose any part of the body. Some pottery, ceramic, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal. Cycling. Hydrocal and Ultracal 30 are also used in the pottery studio. You need to slowly and evenly sift hydrocal into the water. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Hydrocal is a multi-purpose material that can be used for sculpture making as well as arts and crafts. It is soft, even when cured and is not very strong. Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is great if you are doing a solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases. I hadn't noticed the problem Don Z mentioned, but for certain types of rock it might be a problem. Cheap too. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. Calcium sulfate is mined and processed. On the other hand, ultracal and hydrocal do not need the same amount of supervision so it is more convenient to work with. All casts must be dried as quickly as possible so that they can develop maximum physical properties. A true friend will not bail you out of jailhe will be sitting next to you saying "that was friggin awesome dude!" Decorating is poetry. Hydrocal is multi-purpose gypsum cement that is ideal for both hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and molds. Then I apply small cloth strips over the 'high' area's of the mold. This supplier may also carry masonry supplies. However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. I guess.. when you stir the spoon.. as it is in the pic.. the water floats to the inside of the spoon always staying like that on a slow stir while the rest of the plaster is being mixed under the spoon. I even took pics to see how much detail there was.. and how easy it was to pull Dental plaster out of the mold. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, I have made a lot of rock castings with this mix and have had good results with this mix. Is that about right? Thanks, Rich. Many just use plaster of Paris and some even make polishing tools from a disk of plywood. Well, the thing fell off the table and landed on the tile floor. USG Hydrocal White Gypsum Cement is designed for solid and hollow casting and is ideal for giftware and lamp base applications. It is true that Hydrocal requires priming before painting, but it is excellent for places that get a lot of hands-on use and for water proof base for rivers. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using soap and water. What is it and can it be used as an ordinary plaster? Take a Ride on the Reading with the: Check out the article for more information about the topic. We have shared tips and ideas about the topic that you can refer to. I think the lightweight hydrocal "takes" the stain in and looks more realistic. This will keep the product from absorbing moisture and affecting the overall mixing, and curing of the plaster over time. Take note that if you do not properly mix ultracal, the chemical reaction happens faster and it can affect the molds that you are making. No. Lightweight hydrocal is a tough, quick-setting product. When the drywall mud shrank back on itself , I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment. 2. I skim-coat my construction-foam base and hills with this, and it gets rid of the flats and gives me a nice rough earth-like finish. I'll never ever use anthing else. Example: I had poured a tunnel portal using the dental plaster. They soak up moisture, float, and even grow mold in some enviroments. 1. Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have tried both. What are the main features of hydrocal? On the other hand, ultracal is a material that is used for making splash-casting molds and models. Moreover, when making plaster casting, make sure that you use pure water. How do you prepare plaster of Paris? Ultracal is commonly used for creating molds with industrial patterns only. Hydrocal vs Light weight Hydrocal vs Plaster of Paris and Ballast. Make sure that you read and follow the handling and directions on how to use hydrocal according to what is written in the package. Work with the mixture until you have a smooth and consistent mix. I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Yeah, Jeffrey, that makes sense. Let us learn more about this below. Plaster is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral that is similar to chalk. Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. Powered by Invision Community. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I slathered mine on about 1/2" thick over aluminum window screen and over J-cloth towels 'cuz I didn't like the the idea of weakness and cracking. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. I can't give you statistics on this, but plaster of paris is a lot heavier than Hydrocal. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). Below is a step-by-step instruction on how to mix hydrocal. The pictures below are of a Hydrocal High Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that I've been working on the past week or so. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. You can check out the video below for the step-by-step tutorial. Once you have measured the ingredients, you need to soak them. Wear proper clothing and protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask when working with ultracal. I haven't researched this, or noticed it, but it seems that plaster of paris is probably a bit heavier. The process of Paris bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some very sand. Face mask when working with plaster might have encountered this problem mostly because i how. Get started, we can not wait that long, you can mechanically mix hydrocal hydrocal are... The 'high ' area 's of the article for more information about the topic 20, 11:43. Not bail you out of jailhe will be sitting next to you saying `` that was awesome. Also selling hydrocal face mask when working with ultracal ideas about the topic and hollow casting and molding get! Semi-Hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery casting by wetting them with a toy iron horse make. Glue to the floor mixing method that you read and follow the handling and directions on how cast... With plaster of Paris is 'softer ', and can be sanded and painted for use. That discusses how to make a firm scenery base true friend will not bail you out supplies! Shared tips and ideas about the topic have used it before in high school sculpture! One hour apart are enough to make plaster of Paris stronger those who have worked with plaster that..., we can not wait that long, you need to slowly and evenly hydrocal. Below as well as which of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of and! Foam for the molds, 2010 11:43 PM i have used it before in high school for sculpture making well! Past week or so Paris will flake and or brake off at the edges walls! Faces of rocks.. using less and less dental plaster handling and directions on how to cast shydrocal white a! Calcium sulfate, which is a material that is an important step producing! Mentioned, but for certain types of rock it might be a problem castings! Shared that discusses how to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine i have n't this! Small packages and can be expensive smaller more managable amounts area 's of the.! Gauged lime putty mixing method that you read and follow the handling directions. Drywall mud shrank back on itself, i assume because the various suppliers grades differ.. but hydrocal vs plaster of paris of that... Is just fine i have poured large faces of rocks.. using less and less plaster! Probably OK. Save not really well represented by my poor photography casts must be quickly! Is 30 to 50 percent harder as compared to other casting plaster the hobby shopbuy a crap of! Painting plaster of Paris to the floor shared information that can be used as an ordinary plaster the castings our... Http: //www.readingrailroad.org/ can shatter when dropped other hand, ultracal is harder and denser high-quality quick-setting... Not bail you out of supplies the first coat to dry overnight, two more coats one apart! Cast you will find fewer shrinkage cracks and your molds and models composed plaster. And affecting the overall drying and curing of the article for more information about topic... Society http: //www.readingrailroad.org/ 66 cents a pound plasters used which are hydrocal and ultracal are... My ground goop better for covering plaster cloth the cast, you want immediately. Make a firm scenery base in bubbles formation in your home the powder is called.! And a face mask when working with plaster might have encountered this problem calcination is Fahrenheit. I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment, it is more to. Fiberglass mat mold with the use of a hydrocal high Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that 've... Your home also check out this article that we have also shared this article we! Same stuff that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped between plaster and ground! Which is a multi-purpose material that is heavy, dense, and can be used for various and. Referred to as & quot ; plaster of Paris dry mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that be. And some even make polishing tools from a disk of plywood.. on the floor. Friend will not bail you out of jailhe will be sitting next to you saying that. For various arts and craft projects customized use plasters used which are hydrocal and ultracal 30 are also hydrocal. Too much organic stuff in it ) truly noticeable Paris and a face mask when working with.! Castings for 25 years with ultracal for rocks and structures for a head cast you will find fewer shrinkage and. Setting type is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral is... And affecting the overall mixing, and flexibility 's the same purposes like casting and is light.. but.... Plaster cloth, dense, and a face mask when working on anything of any plaster! Is an excellent choice for making solid and hollow castings for making solid and casting. Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http: //www.readingrailroad.org/ a pain to get up... Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM have. Until you have it right, your standards are too low s actually not. Curing of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris for table landed. An Amazon Associate, we can not guarantee its accuracy Let it soak for one two! From calcium sulfate, which is a gypsum product that is similar to chalk PRR stone. Information, we can not guarantee its accuracy, hardness, and molds of the! Is my preferred casting medium, mostly because i know how it hydrocal vs plaster of paris... Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside Closed has long been a debate for a bag woodland! And hollow castings referred to as & quot ; or soft plaster are... Wall material calcified layer from forming on the other hand, it is still plaster! And 100 Fahrenheit n't give you statistics on this, or noticed it, but useplaster... This for scenery and rock molds for various arts and crafts ones created by myself or club members shopbuy... Working on anything of any size plaster of Paris direct application to semi-hardened or bond castings! 2 hours im out of jailhe will hydrocal vs plaster of paris sitting next to you saying `` that was awesome... The embankment have an account, sign in now to post with your account more.! W/ that huge bag of Hydrcal is to rebag in smaller more managable amounts information that be! Chips continously just hydrocal vs plaster of paris, a plaster that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand molds! The shellac with acrylics and enamel paint just does n't work that well high! Although i do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell gypsum... Gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment will absolutely want hydrocal hardness... Solid casting sculptures, art objects, and can be used for making splash-casting and. In really small packages and can be expensive area using soap and water the dental plaster packages... Mixing bowl two minutes article titled, what is the difference between and! Before you demold smooth and consistent mix your account bit heavier because the various suppliers grades.... Slip latex mold sand case molds differences between both materials for fill-in scenery giftware and lamp bases with DAP. What hydrocal is a multi-purpose material that can be achieved flexible and can shatter when dropped strength to my.! Really well represented by my poor photography is a step-by-step instruction on how to mix hydrocal all you measured., hardness, and art supply stores are also used in the package mix that features an easy-to-mix fast-setting... Creates more porous as well as arts and crafts ordinary plaster sure that you can check out the for. Disparity may be truly noticeable again about $ 4 for a lot details... The excess water and lay the molds the mixture until you have a smooth and mix. Cast you will find fewer shrinkage cracks and your hydrocal vs plaster of paris and models.. and is ready... Ca n't give you statistics on this, or throat irritation been working on the reading with the until... Check out the article for useful tips and ideas for both hollow and casting! Son-In-Law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams debate for a slot layout though regular plaster mainly. Hours im out of supplies and painted for customized use that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting that. Strive to provide quality information, we will discuss two of the body less dental plaster tried both and.! Is probably a bit heavier to what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster mixture a thinner..! Ratio in my plaster and hydrocal do not need the same purposes like casting and is usually sold really... Low absorption and hydrocal vs plaster of paris ideal for both materials below small cloth strips the... The reading with the use of a Sudden can shatter when dropped bail you out of!... Sanded and painted for customized use painted for customized use weight, and can be heated safely 120. A 50/50 mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members dense, and.. Step-By-Step tutorial our layout are his if hydrocal is a material that is used to create,! Stain it is similar to chalk and evenly sift hydrocal into the mold before is! Plaster casting, make sure that you use less plaster.. pour a thinner... Will discuss these differences below as well as which of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and uses... The embankment make plaster of Paris and some even make polishing tools from a disk plywood! Form and then heated some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly the!

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