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. 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. What is it and can it be used as an ordinary plaster? I have already commited about $2500 on wood for this train set, 2 loomotives, some cars, construction insulating foam, paints, paint brushes track, power supplies hehehwhy am I telling you all this, you all know how it works well my wad of cash is gone so im now ready to do things the cheapest way. Always do your own research before making important decisions. You can post now and register later. #1 MOULDING PLASTER - Often referred to as "plaster of paris" or soft plaster. Wear a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are mixing. Just my opinionTim. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. What is the difference with Plaste of paris? 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. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. 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. I can only tell you what I know.. and what I do. Hydrocal White. I wasn't pleased with the results. The average time that it takes for ultracal to set is about 25 to 35 minutes. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal. We have shared an in-depth discussion. I think the lightweight hydrocal "takes" the stain in and looks more realistic. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. There are three types of plaster which are the plaster of Paris, lime plaster, and cement plaster. Real rock ballast is much better. so I am comfortable with this for scenery and rock molds. like a sponge. Plaster of Paris will soak up tablespoons of it, but hydro seems to turn its nose up and you will get a lighter tinting, instead. It is extremely non-chip, and molds well. What are the main features of hydrocal? Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. It discusses what ultracal is. For my club we could never afford using those WS packages. If the plaster has not thoroughly cured, it will feel cold to the touch. Ultracal is best used for splash-casting molds. I even took pics to see how much detail there was.. and how easy it was to pull Dental plaster out of the mold. It's a slower method and takes longer to set up, but I like the results. The pictures below are of a Hydrocal High Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that I've been working on the past week or so. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal made of? Hydrocal cures to a very hard stone like surface, where Plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky. Sets fast in 20-30 minutes without shrinking. Make sure to use plain white glue that is widely available at your local craft store. I use 2 parts plaster of paris to 1 part water. As a matter of fact, it is an extremely porous material when dried, Because of its porosity; it can easily absorb water that touches its surface. Cooking. Another advantage is that is can be cleaned up in the sink. wow, always a lot of info on this forum! Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is great if you are doing a solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases. I mixed up a batch of the Plaster of Paris and I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. By I prime neither when painting. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. Rmueller9 However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. If you pick the wrong type of bowl.. you'll have problems cleaning it. 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. I pour less.. and use a clothstrip on the back for added strength. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. What is the Difference between Hydrocal and Plaster of Paris? Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. 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. I have a box of hydorcal, but haven't used any as yet. (As an aside, I squirt in some cheap acrylic brown paint to my Gypsolite so I've got a brown earth-tone base to start with, and if I chip off a bit it won't be shocking white underneath.). When I have to rework an area; ie: carve out some of the plaster or add some; I simply apply some shellac to the new surface, let it dry then paint over it. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. Wearing gloves is also recommended. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. 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. We have shared useful information regarding the composition of hydrocal and its uses. Thank you for reading! manage your account online and more! You can make plaster of Paris stringer. Thank you for reading! 2. If you plan to use large amounts of the plaster, placing in a sealed 5 gal pail works also. Hydrocal provides twice the compressive strength of plaster and is ideal for thin and delicate sections where high green strength is needed. Mabye in more humid climates though. When it comes to mixing plaster and water, there are a few steps that should be done. With the many plaster materials that are available on the market, it is vital that you know what you are working with. Tough geometry! It would do so after priming. I picked up my Dental Plaster off of ebay. We hope to inspire you. The ratio of the two ingredients is important because it affects the physical properties of the cast piece. People who have used both materials have varied inputs when it comes to the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. Your results and mileage may be different, of course. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure? These characteristics are vital if you are making a long life scenery base. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? The first thing that you need to do is to prepare the mix. Arizona and Great Northern ballast companies are some that come to mind and they do have web sites. 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). 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. Now I don't claim to be an expect.. but only one that wishes to share what I know and what I've done perhaps it might spark other ideas that lead to better ideas. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. In the video, the process of casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed. I agree with A. Wallace on the superiority of hydrocal if you are looking for strength and clean castings Has anyone tried using drywall 'mud' in place of Hydrocal or plaster of paris? Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. 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. However, you should take note of the differences between the two especially when it comes to the mixing and setting time. We have also shared tips and ideas for both materials. Ideal for hollow and solid casting applications to create figurines, moldings and plaques If you are making mother and outer molds, it is best that you avoid using ultracal. These are gypsum cements and have different working properties than the plasters listed above. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. We have also shared tips and ideas for using hydrocal and plaster of Paris for your art or craft projects. This is another material that you can use as an alternative for plaster of Paris. Waterproofing plaster of Paris is important especially if you will use it outdoors. When you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc. Adding either Plaster of Paris or Hyrdocal to make a smooth surface should not be a problem, I have done it both ways lots of times. It is used for crafting as well as a construction material. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if plaster of Paris is hard. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. The high green strength of the hydrocal reduces breakage during the removal process even from the most complicated latex molds. You know the jagged parts of, the mold that will stick out. It is not recommended that you add the glue to the water before adding the plaster because it can cause the plaster to clump together. I like the rigid insulation board concept. Something I learned real quick about painting plaster of paris. Hydrocal is a gypsum product that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand case molds. One advantage of premixed drywall mud is that is takes a day to set up and you can work it the next day. Dental Stone is is also calcium sulfate Hemihydrate, but it is created at a higher temperature and under pressure. It is half the weight of hydrocal plaster and goes twice as far. Aside from that, you can easily purchase them at your local hardware store or even online. Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/. They have the lowest setting expansion as compared to any gypsum cement. We have also learned the difference between a hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Seal it first. You need to let it soak for about one to two minutes. Check out the video to learn more about the topic. Bob Hahn. You can check out this article that we have written titled, how to make homemade plaster for more tips and information. Cheap too. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. I dont' think that is my approach. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. I have tried both. The Sacrete liquid, and paint just doesn't work that well. Plaster of Paris (Hilton?) Crystals are formed in the mixture of water and calcium sulfate during the setting reaction which makes the plaster harden. I find Plaster of Paris too soft, and subject to scratches and breakage. I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Then really dry it. Make sure that you read and follow the handling and directions on how to use hydrocal according to what is written in the package. You can do this by using a gauze bandage, glass fiber, and other suitable materials. I find Hydrocal is better for making rock castings. Then I use a paint brush.. and paint the plaster into the fine cracks and detail of the mold. I picked it up off the floor.. looked for chips.. cracks.. nothing. my photos. Sorry for the poor picture quality but the reddish color of Pa. Stone is not really well represented by my poor photography. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is hard to modify or carve. I hadn't noticed the problem Don Z mentioned, but for certain types of rock it might be a problem. Painted and sceniced those results were better than anything I could have planned. We have found out that hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris and can also take a lot of detail. Woodland Scenics materials are easy to buy, but very expenssive. It will do just fine IMO. Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin. 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 use light weight premixed drywall seam cement for my plaster and my ground goop. 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. Let us learn more about this below. The next step is to pour the mixture. Check out the rest of the article below for more information. Otherwise, it will chip very easily. Hydrocal sets-up to rock-hardness, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks. Make sure that you thoroughly mix the slurry to get the best results. The reason for this is that the chemicals in the water can create unwanted reactions when it is mixed with the plaster. Choose a drying room or oven that offers quick and uniform air circulation. It is also a quick setting which is ideal for arts and crafts. 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. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. Thanks for your reply. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. Take a Ride on the Reading with the: I hadn't thought of the scouring of the surface to be redone, but I would expect that to be the method. Hydrocal molds can be heated at a maximum temperature of 120 F. Make sure that the slurry is carefully poured into the deepest area. A higher drying temperature can be used without any difficulty using substantial free water in the mold. You can check out the article for more information about the topic. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. I wanted to know what is the difference? I'm in agreement with Walace also. Good luck. We will discuss these differences below as well as which of the two is stronger. P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. . Cycling. Even though your plaster mix has been mixed correctly with no bubbles.. you can and will still get an impartial filling of the cracks and detail. Adding glue to the mixture can make the plaster of Paris stronger. you get far greater detail then you would by painting. Trains. 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. 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 would still use real ballast. You should be fine. Let the plaster cure overnight. Check out the article below to find out what the difference is between the two materials. Mix the glue to the water and plaster mixture. 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. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, 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? If this is the case, you should wait for at least two to three hours or longer depending on the temperature. I find I have no air bubbles.. and can apply a thicker coat afterwards. I am not 'bashing' Woodland Scenics, but there are other sources for these scenic items. Once you have measured the ingredients, you need to soak them. This keeps a hard calcified layer from forming on the top. Let us learn more about these steps below. Display as a link instead, The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. The finished product.. is an extremely thin .. light.. very strong casting. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? The color of the mixture should be milky white with a creamy consistency. A great utility gypsum cement offering higher strengths than typical plaster products. what do they make the real out of? I often do this even with closed cell foam just to make it a little more slippery. Plaster of Paris is gypsum plaster that is made from a fine white powder that hardens when it is moistened and dried. I've used plaster of paris before, and have had decent success. It can take up to 23 to 35 minutes or more for a hydrocal to cure and have a thick surface. Easy to make, easy to patch, and don't weigh a ton. This creates uniform slurry. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. OK for one time use (or maybe 3X if you are careful) Hydocal and Ultracal are gypsum cements and dry much harder and have higher strength, with Ultacal being harder than the Hydrocal. Step 4: Mix the hydrocal. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet Moreover, hydrocal does not slough off as compared to plaster of Paris. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. Thanks, Rich I've also used Bragdon Foam with a Bragdon mold. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. Plaster molds can also be used to cast wax, if the mold is well-soaked beforehand. So many choices but so little time. Hydrocal is made for making solid and hollow castings. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product. Beats the heck out of Walmart prices/unit weight/volume. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. For most, the main difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is much stronger and takes more detail. When mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the particles of the calcium sulfate. 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. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. Ballast - Most of the Woodland Scenics ballast appears to be crushed walnut shells(or something close). 1. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you use open cell foam (styrofoam) for a castform, you're going to bein trouble trying to free the cast from the form. Thank you for reading! Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. Mar 12, 2006. Decorating is poetry. Hydrocal FGR-95. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. 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? Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. Are you happy with the results? What is hydrocal? It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. There's also a Hydrocal rock face casting (WS mold) in there for good measure. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. They are generally used for sculpture, patterns, commercial casts, and figurines. Regardless of how hard to try to create a strong and hard cast from the plaster of Paris, it is still plaster that is brittle and vulnerable to breakage. If you want to use sand, you will need something very fine and it must have no magnetic material in it(that stuff gets sucked up into you engine's motor). Like plaster, hydrocal is easy to use so it is a great option for making crafts and DIY projects. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I use shellac for this purpose. It does not dry with the 'hardness' of Hydocal, one of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell' scenery. The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. For a head cast you will absolutely want hydrocal. Step 6: Allow the hydrocal to dry. I'm also a hydrocal fan for plaster casting. 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. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). We hope that you have learned more about ultracal and hydrocal after reading this article that we have shared. Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have tried both. For instance, it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and commercial casts. Hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement and both have different properties. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. Check out the article to find out more about the differences between both materials. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, TimModeling the NYCis there any other? UltraCal-30 is a good product, but I prefer wooden molds. Hardens like a rock quickly. Plaster of Paris is just that, a plaster. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. To help you get started, we will discuss two of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. I have used plaster of paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had good results.

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