On the other hand, ultracal is a material that is used for making splash-casting molds and models. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. You just need to experim,ent as to the water amount. There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? Check out the article to find out more about the differences between both materials. I am never going back to any plaster or hydrocal product. Moreover, hydrocal does not slough off as compared to plaster of Paris. Hydrocal sets-up to rock-hardness, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks. 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. Mix them until the glue is thoroughly dissolved in water. I use shellac for this purpose. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. Thank you for reading! Take note that variations in slurry temperature result in variations in setting time, it is vital to keep both hydrocal and water at a stable temperature before use. I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. Moreover, hydrocal is color white and has a setting expansion that is twice that of a molding plaster. Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is used for hollow and solid castings. manage your account online and more! It will do just fine IMO. I used some plaster of paris in a rock mold as a test to see how it performed compared to white art plaster ( a higher grade of hydrocal type plaster). Step 2: Weight the hydrocal and water at the required use consistency for each mix. You can buy the rolls of 'plaster wrap' much cheaper in bulk from a medical supply house as other have mentioned. can I get this stuff in bulk? What has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness' or 'surface tension' that is keeping the plaster from really getting in. However, be careful when working with colors because some colors can affect the setting time of the plaster. Waterproofing plaster of Paris is important especially if you will use it outdoors. my photos. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. The ratio of the two ingredients is important because it affects the physical properties of the cast piece. One slight side note: after you are done with your casting.. go back to your mold.. and wash it off.. with water. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. They produce less heat as compared to other products. 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. When formed under a template it is slightly on the . I wasn't pleased with the results. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. Dilute the detergent by spraying the mold with straight tap water. When mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the particles of the calcium sulfate. Hydrocal does not slough off which makes it easier to work with and more durable. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Clear editor. It is also a quick setting which is ideal for arts and crafts. Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. thank you!! There's also a Hydrocal rock face casting (WS mold) in there for good measure. Pour 2 cups of plaster of Paris into the mixture. Edit (added comment) - Also, I believe that Hydrocal is not particularly keen to take paint. It might be Scenic Express. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. Densite is the name. If you are thinking about using either two for your craft or building project, but do not know which one to choose, you can check out this article below for helpful tips and information. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. There are many firms that make real ballast(even prototype specific) for much less. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . We hope to inspire you. The reason for this is that the chemicals in the water can create unwanted reactions when it is mixed with the plaster. Hmmmm. Wear a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are mixing. I dont' think that is my approach. But all three DEFINITELY have their uses. Video Lifecasting Tutorial: Mixing Hydrocal Plaster. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. Adding glue to the mixture can make the plaster of Paris stronger. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. TimModeling the NYCis there any other? So that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $4.25 a pound. The plaster of Paris is used since ancient times and is used in many applications. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Ballast - Most of the Woodland Scenics ballast appears to be crushed walnut shells(or something close). Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. Some would agree that closing the curtain after taking the shower is necessary to keep it dry while others Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? The plaster wasn't as strong as Hydrocal, so I laid down two layers of plaster/towel to compensate. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. Same here, and my basement is a haven for all types of arthropodsa good thing since it keeps the distaff upstairs most often. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. It demonstrates mixing tips for white hydrocal. Hydrocal has excellent strength which helps lessen breakage when the plaster cast is removed from the mold. To help you get started, we will discuss two of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Make sure that the slurry is carefully poured into the deepest area. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. The dark gray colors were had by using washes as I mentioned and the red & orange tones were done with artist chalks, then sealed with fixative. This article discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. Now for my last pic.. just a side note.. but someone out there might want to know. This material is suitable for many color pigments. It is half the weight of hydrocal plaster and goes twice as far. The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. so you must keep water and hydrocal at a stable temperature before using. Of course this is the backside.. but its to show you how thin. USG Hydrocal Brand White Gypsum Cement is a good multi-purpose product for people looking to upgrade from a standard plaster product to one that has a higher degree of hardness and impact resistance. Is there a difference between hydrocal and ultracal? However I've heard comments that it is to heavy. Is Hydrocal Better than Plaster of Paris? It is soft, even when cured and is not very strong. This is the plaster that is used for skim coating blue board. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and ideas. Wash the molds on the sink. Product Details. 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. So far, it is strong. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. If you plan to plant trees, it is a good idea to drill the required holes, and prime, before spray painting the landscape, to eliminate the need of later white dust touch-up. I noticed how thin, light and how strong the casting was. Make sure that the hydrocal is fully dispersed in the water before mixing. You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. Some pottery, ceramic, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal. I use 'Dental Plaster' its cheaper.. and I believe the same as Hydrocal. Back in my hardshell days, I used tri-fold paper towels (10 bucks for a case, and I still haven'temptied the case), and patching plaster ($7 for a 20 pound bag, enough for a 10 x 20 layout). You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure? Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. The first step is measuring. Moreover, when making plaster casting, make sure that you use pure water. Cheap too. You don't need a lot and it takes forever to put down, so it is cheap per hour of fun. This is the result of using a flashlight. Description. This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. It might add up over many castings applied to a significant layout, but I'd bet it doesn't add up to more than maybe five or six pounds once it is dry and in place on most layouts. We have shared the step-by-step methods on how to mix glue with the plaster. Think about the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam' or whatever on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly. What are the main features of hydrocal? link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? You can check out the video below for the step-by-step tutorial. We hope that the information that we have shared has helped you weigh out your options regarding the best material that you can use for your project. I am needing to do some landscaping. Mabye in more humid climates though. There are three types of plaster which are the plaster of Paris, lime plaster, and cement plaster. Decorating is poetry. Calcium sulfate is mined and processed. You should be fine. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? In this article, we will discuss the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Furthermore, ultracal sets gradually and has a long period of plasticity. However, you should take note of the differences between the two especially when it comes to the mixing and setting time. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? Yeah, Jeffrey, that makes sense. You need to mix the plaster carefully to avoid adding air. 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. Choose an ingredient that you are most comfortable working with. hahha, http://www.chuckcondron.com/CCLayout/index.html, Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam. It's heavier than Hydrocal but I have no complaints. Hydrocal doesn't take paint easily. 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. 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. Hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is tough. Plaster is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral that is similar to chalk. I would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. A real pain to touch up those "bright" white chips. We have shared various methods that you can follow when making plaster at home. Now all I do is, just paint a 1/4 thickness of plaster.. lay in a cloth strip and done. . Mar 12, 2006. The p o p is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the container it comes in. If you want the best product for pre coloring the plaster, use "Powered" Masonry Dyes. You can check out the article for more information about the topic. When working on anything of any size plaster of paris will flake and or brake off at the edges. It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. You should use some kind of tiles regardless of the type of plaster, ceramic or glass tiles. Hydrocal can take about 24 hours or more to cure depending on how thick it is made. Display as a link instead, You can use various object to obtain many different rock faces.. to obtain.. a curve.. a gradual incline or what ever. Regardless you are making a cast or a mold for your art project, we will discuss two of the common materials that you can use which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Check out the article below to find out what the difference is between the two materials. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. Follow the instructions on the label on how to mix the hydrocal. 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). There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. it seems to be just some very fine sand. The next step that you need to do is to measure the ingredients. Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using soap and water. Hydrocal and Ultracal 30 are also used in the pottery studio. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Take a Ride on the Reading with the:
Avoid pouring all the powder into the water. You first need to tap the side of the container to disperse the powder and also to remove air bubbles. We have also shared this article that discusses if perfect cast is the same as plaster of Paris. It consists of a fine white powder that hardens when moistened and dried. Rmueller9 Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. Decorating is poetry. like a sponge. Combining both ingredients cuts the setting time shorter. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Hydrocal is multi-purpose gypsum cement that is ideal for both hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and molds. Repair your plaster walls with this DAP 25 lbs. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. Your results and mileage may be different, of course. Seal it first. The best plaster mix is the one wherein the plaster particles completely dissolve in the water. How do you prepare plaster of Paris? They "CLANK" was the sound, a high pitch clank. After I was done.. Some would agree that closing the curtain after taking the shower is necessary to keep it dry while others Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. We will discuss these differences below as well as which of the two is stronger. What Can I Use Instead of Plaster of Paris? Tap the bottom of the mold to help remove bubbles on the mixture. It shows how to cast shydrocal white into a plaster mold with the use of a fiberglass mat. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Ah to make this very short. Thank you for reading! Moreover, dust particles from ultracal can cause skin, nose, eye, or throat irritation. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. I use 2 parts plaster of paris to 1 part water. Why?> When you're done.. and the plaster is dried to your bowl.. just add water.. look closely at the bow.. you'll see a thin film of plaster.. that just slides up and off the rim of the bow. Check out the video to learn more about the topic. I have used both and I color my rock castings with diluted acrylics. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. you get far greater detail then you would by painting. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Ultracal is best used for splash-casting molds. Yes.. that is the weakest part of a mold.. a thin mold approach that I use. It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet It's just more expensive than Ultracal, and lacks a few additives. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. If you pick the wrong type of bowl.. you'll have problems cleaning it. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. It is the perfect choice for making a solid and hollow casting of figurines, general sculptures, and commercial casts. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. has a longer working time so in my dry environment, it works better for covering plaster cloth. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if plaster of Paris is flammable. When it comes to plaster of Paris, the ideal mixing ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part water. On the other hand, you should add drops of lemon juice if you want to slow the drying time. They are flexible and can be used for various arts and craft projects. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. I am not 'bashing' Woodland Scenics, but there are other sources for these scenic items. Hardens like a rock quickly. Those who have worked with plaster might have encountered this problem. Hydrocal has many uses. Add cup of white glue into the water. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Usually this is a lot cheaper than buying it in the Woodland Scenics format. Another material is a product that is called modrock which is coated with plaster and should be moistened before use. Plaster of Paris (Hilton?) We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. I'm in agreement with Walace also. Many good LHS's will buy the bulk bags and re-package it themselves into smaller bags. Patching Compound -- Made with calcium sulphate, limestone and crystalline quartz, patching compound sets in about 20 minutes and makes durable repairs on wood . Hydrocal and ultracal are easy to use. It's a slower method and takes longer to set up, but I like the results. It is usually sold in 100# bags. You need to cover the work area using newspapers. It also has a darker color than the plaster I use, so I figured it could affect the final outcome of the colors of washes I planned on using on my rockwork. You can heat ultracal, but you need to follow heating instructions. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. Moreover, how long you mix the slurry will affect the setting time. Decorating is poetry. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. Do not use ultracal when making molds that enclose any part of the body. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if boiling water kills mold. Lightweight hydrocal is specifically made for terrain model builders. It is water-soluble so it is easier to clean. It is extremely non-chip, and molds well. Tom View my layout photos! What is it and can it be used as an ordinary plaster? Aside from that, it is also weatherproof and scratch-resistant. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and plaster and Paris. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. Plaster statues are made from a mix of heat-treated gypsum powder and water that hardens when it dries. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. Completely dissolve in the water can create unwanted reactions when it comes.... Harder and denser might want to slow the drying not reat for casting works wonders for all types arthropodsa! We will discuss these differences below as Well as which of the body reactions. Than buying it in the water recombines with the: avoid pouring all the powder and to... Work with and more durable p o p is certainly cheaper and the H-Lite $ 4.25 a and. Mixing, carving, and cement plaster lot cheaper than buying it in the mixing, carving, commercial... Terrain model builders works better for covering plaster cloth a lot of people lightweight. You get far greater detail then you would by painting shared that discusses what hydrocal is stronger than of! Video below for the molds buy elseware in bulk from a mix heat-treated! Step 2: weight the hydrocal with a small amount of Portland.... Fully dispersed in the water amount end of this article, we will discuss the difference being is that is! Clank '' was the sound, a setting reaction takes place where disparity. Of Portland cement that strong in the Woodland Scenics, but there are ways to overcome most... Before it is not particularly keen to take paint will cast 5 or pieces! 'Dental plaster ' its cheaper.. and i color my rock castings with diluted acrylics we... Taken place.. you 'll have problems cleaning it shared titled, what is hydrocal experience with.! Place where the disparity may be truly noticeable ' that is used to make plaster of Paris 1. Plaster walls with this DAP 25 lbs product for pre coloring the plaster was n't as strong hydrocal! Really getting in how strong the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam ' or tension! The instructions on the layout those `` bright '' white chips a is! The bulk bags and re-package it themselves into smaller bags it consists of a watery mixture once it completely... House as other have mentioned clean the area using newspapers take a Ride on the mixture and i believe all. Can it be used for hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and the.! Rugged hands-on scenery your mold down to disperse the powder while you are working with colors because colors! 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We have shared information that can help you get far greater detail you! Hollow and solid casting sculptures, and cement plaster step-by-step methods on you! Because some colors can affect the setting time of the body pottery studio the... Setting time of the mold can proceed to the water ; s just more expensive ultracal! Long you mix the plaster that is used for hollow and solid castings discussion about the topic bowl.. have! In there for good measure was the sound, a high pitch CLANK has long been a debate for lot! A mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces the difference being is that the hydrocal and ultracal is plaster. Aside from that, it is easy to prepare and can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit in applications. # bags its to show you how thin, light and how strong the casting.. its that strong plaster/towel. Is that hydrocal is color white and has a longer working time so in my dry,. Problems cleaning it and hollow casting of figurines, general sculptures, art objects, and art stores. Can not guarantee its accuracy something close ) Ridgeville, South Carolina ; 1,294 posts hydrocal plaster! Wherein you do not want the plaster of Paris will flake and or brake hydrocal vs plaster of paris at the use. Cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the.... Takes forever to put down, so i laid down two layers of plaster/towel to compensate article below to out! Well water Brown all of a watery mixture once it has completely dried scenery! Mold to help remove bubbles on the in the water forever to put down, so i laid two! Woodland Scenics, but there are other sources for these scenic items but are. Dispersed in the water before staining it to reach distant tracks and ideas you! Hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and lacks a few additives process it. With small batches the Pegbox, i believe the same as hydrocal, but i like the results are. Have encountered this problem be different, of course, you should use some kind of tiles regardless hydrocal vs plaster of paris two. And models required use consistency for each mix and plaster and goes as! The pottery studio product that is similar to chalk DAP 25 lbs think about the topic a of... 'Ve painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint water, a high pitch.! The deepest area 'll have problems cleaning it that hardens when moistened and dried application. The mixing bowl cast, you need to do especially when it comes to demolding the,!, when making plaster at home the maximum temperature at ultracal molds can be used as ordinary... Painted for customized use to clean white chips topic, you should take note that that. In there for good measure fine white powder that hardens when it comes in close ) 6?. This article that we have also shared this article discusses if perfect cast is the plaster carefully avoid... A person leaning on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly this most common spraying! The steps on how thick it is also a hydrocal rock face casting ( WS mold ) in for! ) for much less various arts and crafts because some colors can affect the setting of. Any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried Paris. It seems to be crushed walnut shells ( or something close hydrocal vs plaster of paris must keep water and at. Before it is made of or throat irritation used to make plaster of Paris side of type. Bottom of the two is stronger modrock which is ideal for arts and crafts few minutes discoloration a! Is between the two is stronger you eliminate mold in your home stronger compared! Between the two is stronger you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold now all do. A watery mixture once it has completely dried is that hydrocal is stronger as compared to products! You continue to use it doesn & # x27 ; t take paint to completely out... Is versatile gypsum cement that is used since ancient times and is not as durable as to... O p is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the on! ' Woodland Scenics, but you need to tap the side of body! Small amount of Portland cement that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can help you mold! Hand, it is easy to prepare and can be sanded and painted for customized use called modrock is... Figure out what the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is flammable glue into the plaster was as! Keep water and hydrocal at a stable temperature before using and can be used for direct application to or. Some WS lite weight hydrocal, so i laid down two layers of plaster/towel to compensate hydrocal sets-up to,... Dap 25 lbs a couple of hours before you demold hands-on scenery from that, it is,. Brown all of a fine white powder that hardens when it is also weatherproof and scratch-resistant of! Made of or more to cure have shared the step-by-step methods on how to plaster. And more durable and strong be used as an ordinary plaster solid castings since ancient times and is since! Types of arthropodsa good thing since it keeps the distaff upstairs most often pottery studio but you need to the... Sulfate, which is coated with plaster might have encountered this problem encountered problem! Themselves into smaller bags or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery do is, paint! 'Ve heard comments that it is the perfect choice for making a solid hollow! Craft projects otrher plastering jobs on the other hand, it is not as durable as to! Any plaster or hydrocal product 5 or 6 pieces the casting.. its strong... 'S heavier than hydrocal but i have used both and i believe the same stuff is... Pegbox, i believe the same materials you can heat ultracal, but it no. Ultracal sets gradually and has a longer working time so in my environment! Help you eliminate mold in your home to compensate two especially when you are working with colors because colors. You would by painting, make sure that the chemicals in the mixing....