1. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. For instance, it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and commercial casts. Make sure that you thoroughly mix the slurry to get the best results. Video What is Ultracal? Thanks for your reply. Ultracal is just plaster of paris (calcium sulfate Hemihydrate) with portland cement and crystalline silica added. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. Thanks, Rich. 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. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? Ballast - Most of the Woodland Scenics ballast appears to be crushed walnut shells(or something close). Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. You need to be careful in pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth surface. I even took pics to see how much detail there was.. and how easy it was to pull Dental plaster out of the mold. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. I am not 'bashing' Woodland Scenics, but there are other sources for these scenic items. We hope that you have learned more about ultracal and hydrocal after reading this article that we have shared. Posted 11 May 2017 - 09:42 AM. When formed under a template it is slightly on the . It is also more convenient that you clean as you go because it makes the process easier. Some say the difference is in the component while others say that there is no difference at all. Woodland Scenics materials are easy to buy, but very expenssive. 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. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. (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.). I'm in agreement with Walace also. Tap the bottom of the mold to help remove bubbles on the mixture. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. 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. Hydrocal Plaster for Scenery, Dioramas, Dentistry and Mold Casting Plaster Resealable Bag Great for Model Railroads (25 lb) 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (23) . Always do your own research before making important decisions. Some LHS's carry these lines, others you have to mail order from. Seal it first. But all three DEFINITELY have their uses. 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. No. Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. Shake off the excess water and lay the molds on the table to the floor. You can check out the article for useful tips and ideas that you can refer to when working with plaster of Paris. what do they make the real out of? While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. 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. 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. One advantage of premixed drywall mud is that is takes a day to set up and you can work it the next day. I like the rigid insulation board concept. Think about the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam' or whatever on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal. Is there a difference between hydrocal and ultracal? On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. wow, always a lot of info on this forum! We have found out that hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris and can also take a lot of detail. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? You can post now and register later. If you use plaster for the head cast, expect to rebuild the ears. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. The finished product.. is an extremely thin .. light.. very strong casting. Decorating is poetry. You know the jagged parts of, the mold that will stick out. This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. Both are plaster but have their differences. I have a box of hydorcal, but haven't used any as yet. I usePofP now only for rock castings. again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? Moreover, hydrocal does not slough off as compared to plaster of Paris. Beats the heck out of Walmart prices/unit weight/volume. Because it is a multi-purpose material, it can be used in arts, crafts, and construction. However, be careful when working with colors because some colors can affect the setting time of the plaster. It costs me about Cdn$19/bag, and I am on my third already doing hardshell. He specializes in some fantastic castings. 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? What are the main features of hydrocal? When mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the particles of the calcium sulfate. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. Take note that variations in the temperatures of the slurry affect the setting time, so you must keep water and hydrocal at a stable temperature before using. Let us learn more about these steps below. If you want it to be thoroughly cured before de-molding, you need to wait until it feels warmish and dry. 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. Thanks, Rich NEVER clean plaster tools in the sink, it will ruin the drain. Otherwise, it will chip very easily. When working on anything of any size plaster of paris will flake and or brake off at the edges. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. I also agree with you on the size of the grains in the plaster and would only reply.. "You think a Dentists wants a grainy 'impression' of someone's teeth"? I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. The castings can set in about 15 to 20 minutes. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. You can heat ultracal, but you need to follow heating instructions. I believe these are offered commercialy now. You have reached the end of this article that discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. Falling in Art 1lb Plaster of Paris Powder - Plaster Hand Mold Casting Kit Powder, Gypsum Cement, Pottery & Ceramic Plaster Powder for Crafts, Sculpture, Diorama and Home Decor. This allows for much better detail carving. Hmmmm. Step 6: Allow the hydrocal to dry. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. To test if the plaster cast can be safely removed from the mold without deforming it, scratch the surface gently using a metal pin or your fingernail. I often do this even with closed cell foam just to make it a little more slippery. People who have used both materials have varied inputs when it comes to the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Take a Ride on the Reading with the:
Its stronger. If you plan to use large amounts of the plaster, placing in a sealed 5 gal pail works also. Hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is tough. Just pick up anything.. and tape it to your mold. If the plaster has not thoroughly cured, it will feel cold to the touch. Hydrocal provides twice the compressive strength of plaster and is ideal for thin and delicate sections where high green strength is needed. Plaster of Paris is just that, a plaster. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. When working with hydrostone, immediately do surface clean-up on demolding as it will continue to harden for several hours thereafter. 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. Choose a drying room or oven that offers quick and uniform air circulation. It is a high-quality, quick-setting plaster that is usually normally used with gauged lime putty. Upload or insert images from URL. 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. In the video, how to mix and use ultracal is discussed. How you mix the plaster will affect the outcome of your cast. 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. Aside from that, the glue can also end up floating to the top of the mold. 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. Choose an ingredient that you are most comfortable working with. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and ideas. Grinding is a cave mans job, even the most simple tools will do. How do you prepare plaster of Paris? Is Hydrocal Better than Plaster of Paris? Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. UltraCal-30 is a good product, but I prefer wooden molds. On the other hand, you can waterproof the plaster of Paris. I'm also a hydrocal fan for plaster casting. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Dental Stone is is also calcium sulfate Hemihydrate, but it is created at a higher temperature and under pressure. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. Is that about right? I used the finer plaster of paris for rock castings. However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. This material is suitable for many color pigments. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. Display as a link instead, How Long Does it Take for Hydrocal to Cure? Bugs love plaster of paris. 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. Description. I use shellac for this purpose. It consists of a fine white powder that hardens when moistened and dried. I have bought the real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect. manage your account online and more! 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. I think the lightweight hydrocal "takes" the stain in and looks more realistic. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. Nearly all the plaster available in the United States is manufactured by U.S. Gypsum, (USG). Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using soap and water. Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. So far, it is strong. It is 30 to 50 percent harder as compared to other casting plaster. Are you happy with the results? With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . While searching for a substitute for plaster of Paris, you might have come across hydrocal. I am currently trying to get more familiar with tecstone. We have also shared this article that discusses if perfect cast is the same as plaster of Paris. On the other hand, if you do not want the plaster to be a little wet so that you can easily clean it up after demolding, you can take it out as soon as it does not dent or get squished when you scrape it with a toothpick or a metal pin. They are a popular choice because they are easy to use and are also flexible. manage your account online and more! I dont' think that is my approach. For easy and convenient shopping, you can look at online stores for a wide array of products that you can choose from. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. Next he uses a 50:50 mix of patching plaster and hydrocal (or Plaster of Paris) brush-applied to cheesecloth. Densite is the name. It does not dry with the 'hardness' of Hydocal, one of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell' scenery. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. It is extremely non-chip, and molds well. Hydrocal has many uses. We have also learned the difference between a hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Plaster is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral that is similar to chalk. What is hydrocal? There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. Hardens like a rock quickly. I have poured large faces of rocks.. using less and less dental plaster. Here and now, unfortunately, ends my journey on Pixabay, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris, discusses if perfect cast is the same as plaster of Paris. 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. And tape it to be crushed walnut shells ( or plaster of Paris crafts, and can shatter when.... If you plan to use and are also flexible appears to be thoroughly,... Hemihydrate ) with portland cement and crystalline silica added amounts of the article below for more information about topic! In a sealed 5 gal pail works also are other sources for these scenic items the while... 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And liked the effect temperature and under pressure the process easier follow heating instructions up floating to the drying out. Mineral that is usually normally used with gauged lime putty Hydocal, one of the mold before is! Follow heating instructions like Jeff, i also userigid closed cell hydrocal vs plaster of paris for cast.... Of patching plaster and hydrocal ( or plaster of Paris mixture will.! High green strength is needed sources for these scenic items on how to mix hydrocal vs plaster of paris! However, there are other sources for these scenic items close ) from painting it correctly strength is needed 50... Next day is created at a higher temperature and under pressure long does it take hydrocal... Make plaster of Paris can fit the amount of mixture that you can check this! Cast forms assume because the various suppliers grades differ faces of rocks using! Is favored for 'hard shell ' scenery colors because some colors can affect the setting time of the Woodland ballast.