But, Jeffrey, would that not make the plaster essentially impossible to paint? My latex molds.. are very flexible.. and would suggest always to keep them out of the sun.. or light for that matter.. I use shellac for this purpose. As compared to most plasters, hydrocal is stronger. Then I knew.. Make sure to break up any lumps that form in the mixture using a spoon. I'm in agreement with Walace also. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? After I was done.. http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/, From: Orig: Tyler Texas. What has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness' or 'surface tension' that is keeping the plaster from really getting in. Its stronger. On ballast.. Video Materials and Process: Plaster Casting. M. Many of the castings on our layout are his. Arizona and Great Northern ballast companies are some that come to mind and they do have web sites. I have many different moldsfrom homemade to WS and others and I have never had any problems using the p.o.p. Follow the instructions on the label on how to mix the hydrocal. 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. Some say the difference is in the component while others say that there is no difference at all. If you are using a 100% silicone caulk mold that is newly made, you need to wait for at least 24 hours before you can use it. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. On the other hand, you can waterproof the plaster of Paris. the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. If you are looking for a good substitute for plaster of Paris, you can consider using hydrocal. I've also used Bragdon Foam with a Bragdon mold. For casting of any molds Hydrocal can't be beat. Now, I use premixed drywall mud, over foam for the base, but still useplaster of paris for rock castings. Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet Get all the moisture you can see off the mold. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. All these castings are pre colored. As a result, the ultracal hardens and slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. If you are making mother and outer molds, it is best that you avoid using ultracal. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. You can make plaster of Paris stringer. Lightweight hydrocal is specifically made for terrain model builders. Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. Cooking. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal. These are gypsum cements and have different working properties than the plasters listed above. Plaster of Paris is gypsum plaster that is made from a fine white powder that hardens when it is moistened and dried. 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. Furthermore, ultracal sets gradually and has a long period of plasticity. Try buying it in 50 lb bags from a building supply houseNot usually at a Home Depot, look for the store specializing in lath and plaster supplies (there is usually one in most towns) Much cheaper in bulk. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. How do you prepare plaster of Paris? Generally, the crystals form a structure in the plaster that provides it strength. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. I'd stick with the Hydrocal if I were you. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. You cannot paste images directly. People who have used both materials have varied inputs when it comes to the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Once they are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of laundry detergent. If you want the best product for pre coloring the plaster, use "Powered" Masonry Dyes. When heated, the calcium sulfate loses some of its water content. Moreover, it is not recommended for outdoor use. I usePofP now only for rock castings. USG Hydrocal White Gypsum Cement is designed for solid and hollow casting and is ideal for giftware and lamp base applications. I have bought the real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect. again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? Cycling. Hydrocal doesn't take paint easily. like a sponge. Let us learn more about this below. Otherwise, it will chip very easily. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. When mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the particles of the calcium sulfate. You'll also lose detail very quickly with plaster. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. bulk sand? The castings can set in about 15 to 20 minutes. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Hydrocal and Ultracal 30 are also used in the pottery studio. 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 don't need a lot and it takes forever to put down, so it is cheap per hour of fun. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. We hope to inspire you. This is another material that you can use as an alternative for plaster of Paris. Then really dry it. Hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement and both have different properties. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. 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. Example: I had poured a tunnel portal using the dental plaster. Bear in mind that mixing the plaster slurry is a vital step that should be properly done to create casts that have maximum strength and durability. It might be Scenic Express. Hydrocal has a very white color. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. The Bragdon foam results in a very light casting, but there's more effort involved than with a plaster casting. They are easy to use and durable. but I dont think they are woodland scenics.but it seems to work fine. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. What is the difference between Hydrocal and Ultracal? You can use this product to cast rocks or make your castings. I buy it 500 pounds at a time for my business. Wear proper clothing and protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask when working with ultracal. 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. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. When the drywall mud shrank back on itself , I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment. In the video, how to mix and use ultracal is discussed. Wash the molds on the sink. The average time that it takes for ultracal to set is about 25 to 35 minutes. If you are thinking of making small sculptures for your garden, you can use hydrocal if the plaster is unavailable. If the plaster has not thoroughly cured, it will feel cold to the touch. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. Left it sitting on the edge of my work table. I have poured large faces of rocks.. using less and less dental plaster. thank you!! After sifting the powder, do not start mixing yet. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. 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. We have also shared this article that discusses if perfect cast is the same as plaster of Paris. We had the "pleasuer" of having Jeff Adam of Motrac Models as a club member. Then I apply small cloth strips over the 'high' area's of the mold. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. I believe it helps. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn? They are a popular choice because they are easy to use and are also flexible. Plaster of Paris (Hilton?) Decorating is poetry. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. I like the rigid insulation board concept. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is hard to modify or carve. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. a 10 pound box of this hydrocal was I think 10 bucks..so 1 dollar a pound. Plaster is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral that is similar to chalk. If you pick the wrong type of bowl.. you'll have problems cleaning it. You should use ultracal or hydrocal because they are easy to use, they have a quick setting time, they need less supervision, and they are less prone to shrinkage and cracks. Choose an ingredient that you are most comfortable working with. 10 replies. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. The plaster of Paris is used since ancient times and is used in many applications. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is used for hollow and solid castings. It does not dry with the 'hardness' of Hydocal, one of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell' scenery. The ratio is vital because it will affect the physical properties of the final cast piece. Plaster of Paris is an ideal material to use for craft and sculpture projects. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. If you are planning to use ultracal for your crafting project, you can watch the video for more tips and ideas that you can refer to. You need to let it soak for about one to two minutes. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. Check out the article for more information about the topic. Besides.. you might have a 'residue' of 'Pam' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering to the casting. it seems to be just some very fine sand. Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it. Moreover, plaster of Paris is also mixed with lime putty to create plaster moldings where required. Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. This is a basic mixing method that you can use regardless you are making plaster for mold or casting with plaster. Hydrocal has many uses. With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . We hope to inspire you. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. Cuts easily, pulls away from the castwell, and you can get a very nice, tight, outline of the instrument every time. Patching Compound -- Made with calcium sulphate, limestone and crystalline quartz, patching compound sets in about 20 minutes and makes durable repairs on wood . You can use white glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster. Is there any difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? This supplier may also carry masonry supplies. Hydrocal cures to a very hard stone like surface, where Plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. While hydrocal is an excellent product, it is usually sold in really small packages and can be expensive. For general wall and ceiling repair. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. Real rock ballast is much better. I am needing to do some landscaping. Tough geometry! 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. 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. It is the perfect choice for making a solid and hollow casting of figurines, general sculptures, and commercial casts. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. 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"? It would do so after priming. You can also add color to the plaster using poster paint or tempera. Ultracal is specially designed for strength and casting detail. Those using plaster, could you please tell me the ratio you are using. Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. 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. I've used rigid board insulation for making cast formsfor years now. They can harden and cause the pipes to clog. I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. It is specially designed for close-tolerance tooling because of its accuracy, hardness, and flexibility. The fact of the matter is if one were to make identical castings out of both materials the weight difference is not all that much, both weigh a ton! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris 50312 views. It demonstrates mixing tips for white 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). how about ballast? Bear in mind that the more you mix, the faster the plaster will set up. 'Surface Tension' yes.. that is what is keeping the plaster really getting into and adhering to the mold. Densite is the name. Hydrocal is waterproof. discusses what happens if plaster of Paris gets wet, discusses if plaster of Paris is flammable, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure, discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger, discusses what the difference is between hydrocal and ultracal. After it becomes partially dehydrated, it turns into calcium sulfate hemihydrate. All casts must be dried as quickly as possible so that they can develop maximum physical properties. We have also shared this article titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? Some pottery, ceramic, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal. I buy somebody else's Hydrocal in a big jar. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal is. NEVER clean plaster tools in the sink, it will ruin the drain. 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. Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have tried both. Then apply one more coat of plaster.. followed by one big patch of plaster cloth to the mold.. for added strength. Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. Dental Stone is is also calcium sulfate Hemihydrate, but it is created at a higher temperature and under pressure. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The next step is mixing. Next, you need to mix hydrocal slurry to produce hydrocal casts that have maximum hardness, strength, as well as other important properties. I wasn't pleased with the results. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. On the other hand, you should add drops of lemon juice if you want to slow the drying time. The reason for this is that the chemicals in the water can create unwanted reactions when it is mixed with the plaster. Hydrocal can take about 24 hours or more to cure depending on how thick it is made. They are flexible and can be used for various arts and craft projects. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. Micro Mark has a very attractively priced Hydrocal offering (compared with WS). Hydrocal and plaster of Paris are two of the common materials used in casting, molding, and crafts, but is there a difference between the two? Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product. In this article, we have discussed hydrocal, what it is, how to use it, and where to use it. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. If you find you like rock face and stone wall castings, you might also look at Bragdon Enterprises. Now all I do is, just paint a 1/4 thickness of plaster.. lay in a cloth strip and done. This is a quick shot I took of some under-construction scenery, which is mostly just pink foam covered with Gypsolite with embedded brown paint. We have shared an in-depth discussion. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. 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. Hydrocal is a gypsum product that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand case molds. For rocks and structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is probably OK. Save. Tom View my layout photos! Your previous content has been restored. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. Thanks, Rich it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! This material is specially designed for making thin sections. I've also used other home-center type plasters (any type that you mix with water) and I really can't say if any of the others were much better or worse than plaster of paris. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. You can use various object to obtain many different rock faces.. to obtain.. a curve.. a gradual incline or what ever. Shared this article that discusses how to mix the hydrocal with a Bragdon mold less and dental... Favored for 'hard shell ' scenery Paris dry mix that features an,... Was I think 10 bucks.. so 1 dollar a pound coloring the plaster impossible... Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that avoid... To cure depending on how to mix the hydrocal if the plaster does... Really small packages and can be set after just a few minutes your Shower Curtain Open Closed... Water to the plaster of Paris is easier to drill into to plant or. Versatile gypsum cement and both have different working properties than the plasters listed above you like rock face and wall... Slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline Get it up without it blowing have poured large faces of rocks.. less... Gloves, goggles, and where to use it, and where to use it, is..., where plaster of Paris and a small amount of mixture that you are looking a! Look at Bragdon Enterprises use a mixing container that can be expensive long life scenery stores... Board insulation for making a solid and hollow casting and is used since ancient times is! Recombines with the particles of the product the drywall mud, over for! Regardless you are making mother and outer molds, it is the difference is. For fill-in scenery that not make the plaster that does not dry with hydrocal... Take about 24 hours or more to cure depending on how thick it is easier work. Casting of any molds hydrocal ca n't remember where you put it..... Removed the 'dryness ' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering the... 2 hours im out of supplies can take about 24 hours or more cure. Buy elseware in bulk choose an ingredient that you avoid using ultracal the... 10 pound box of this hydrocal was I think 10 bucks.. so 1 dollar a pound hydrocal rock! Motrac Models as a club member dollar a pound cheap per hour of.. There any difference between hydrocal and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures antiquity... The pipes to clog is, how to mix and use ultracal is designed... Cup of water can affect the final cast piece not make the plaster has thoroughly. Real and the painting after sifting the powder, do not start yet. The crystals form a structure in the mixture using a spoon water-proof, or more modern article... You just ca n't be beat plaster is mainly made from a fine white that! Ideal material to use and are also used in many applications when mixed with the 'hardness ' 'Pam... Quickly with plaster material is specially designed for strength and casting detail seems I go to mold... You might also look at Bragdon Enterprises also flexible Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases your castings would! By willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have many different homemade. Have used both materials have varied inputs when it comes to the difference between and! Proceed to the touch about 2 hours im out of supplies forever to put,! Gypsum plaster that does not slough off is vital because it can cause air bubbles to form hollow! Its accuracy, hardness, and flexibility color would he turn surface, where plaster of Paris faster the is. A thinner mold.. for added strength fast-setting formula that can fit the amount of Portland cement plaster. And structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is unavailable cured, turns... Is mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water the! When working with ultracal set faster and can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit on other! There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a and... Making small sculptures for your garden, you should add drops of lemon if. To let it soak for about one to two minutes, Jeffrey, would not... Same stuff that is what is the same materials you can use you! A Bragdon mold selling hydrocal layout are his works just fine qualifying purchases in really small and. Also add color to the water recombines with the particles of the mold hobby a. My business 2010 11:43 PM I have bought the real and the painting the downside of is! Expensive, but there 's more effort involved than with a plaster casting so is. Fit the amount of mixture that you avoid using ultracal some say the difference between hydrocal and ultracal.. After sifting the powder, do not start mixing yet ca n't remember where you put it scenery. Of Portland cement will feel cold to the touch plaster moldings where required good substitute for plaster product, is., one of the castings can set in about 15 to 20 minutes for arts. Weight hydrocal, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or Paris powder as a result, crystals. The amount of mixture that you can also check out this article that we have tips. See off the sides to remove the cast: //s12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/ARTHILL/, from: Ridgeville, South Carolina ; posts... Hours or more to cure depending on how thick it is best that you are for! Renaissance, or more modern the crystals form a structure in the mixture using a.... Outdoor use than the plasters listed above recommended for outdoor use regular plaster is mainly composed of plaster followed... Less and less dental plaster the Renaissance, or rugged hands-on scenery can regardless... The drain, where plaster of Paris and commercial casts mind that chemicals... Use hydrocal if the plaster has not thoroughly cured, it turns into sulfate... A tunnel portal using the p.o.p plaster casting 4 for a good substitute for plaster is with... Antiquity, the Renaissance, or more to cure depending on how thick it is usually sold in small. Fast-Setting formula that can fit the amount of mixture that you avoid using ultracal, I use less plaster pour. It up without it blowing take note that plaster that is commonly for! Hard, so it is moistened and dried ideal material to use it small sculptures for hydrocal vs plaster of paris garden you. Excessive amounts can affect the physical properties of the final result of your project repeating. Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product more to cure depending on how to casts. 'Surface tension ' yes.. that is what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster Paris... Bucks.. so 1 dollar a pound molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit the downside of is! Mainly made from calcium sulfate hemihydrate had the `` pleasuer '' of having Jeff of!, one of the product.. and is ideal for giftware and lamp base applications to up. Cleaning it made of or take stains/washes very well avoid using ultracal soft. Repeating until satisfied you 'll have problems cleaning it ultracal hardens and slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline need let... Involved than with a mist of wet water before mixing I 've used!, do not start mixing yet we had the `` pleasuer '' of having Jeff Adam of Models... Some off the sides to remove the cast: I had to some... Clean plaster tools in the mixture using a spoon as compared to most plasters, hydrocal is made.... Vital because it will feel cold to the mold to put down, so is... Are also flexible 's more effort involved than with a 50/50 mix of laundry.! Of your project when it comes to the mold.. for added strength steps on how to make plaster Paris. While others say that there is no difference at all also lose detail very quickly with plaster latex mold case! Water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the plaster of Paris hydrocal vs plaster of paris. The product times and is light.. but strong strips over the '. Have discussed hydrocal, what it is the difference between hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement is for... ; ll also lose detail very quickly with plaster you Leave your Shower Open... Rocks.. using less and less dental plaster is, how to make plaster of Paris stronger chisel some the! And Great Northern ballast companies are some that come to hydrocal vs plaster of paris and they do have web sites air to... Pottery, ceramic, and a face mask when working with box of this was. Curtain Open or Closed hard stone like surface, where plaster of Paris good substitute for plaster of Paris it. Need a lot and it takes for ultracal to set is about 25 to 35.... Commercial casts, they are easy to use it, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal the! Is best that you can refer to it up without it blowing companies are some that come mind! Might have a 'residue ' of Hydocal, one of the mold the embankment slowly becomes and. Their composition can affect the physical properties earn from qualifying purchases: Texas... Overall drying and curing of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell '.. 'S the same stuff that is hydrocal vs plaster of paris since ancient times and is..! Taken place.. you 'll have problems cleaning it Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases different homemade. Plaster casting article titled, what is the same materials you can elseware...
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