Aside from that, it also takes a lot more detail. It usually will only lightly tint. You can check out the video below for the step-by-step tutorial. I wasn't pleased with the results. Choose an ingredient that you are most comfortable working with. Are you happy with the results? If you are making mother and outer molds, it is best that you avoid using ultracal. Arizona and Great Northern ballast companies are some that come to mind and they do have web sites. What is hydrocal? I would still use real ballast. Hydrocal is a bit expensive, but worth the cost, for water-proof, or rugged hands-on scenery. If you find you like rock face and stone wall castings, you might also look at Bragdon Enterprises. There's also a Hydrocal rock face casting (WS mold) in there for good measure. However I've heard comments that it is to heavy. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. Hydrocal doesn't take paint easily. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. I have many different moldsfrom homemade to WS and others and I have never had any problems using the p.o.p. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. You need to slowly and evenly sift hydrocal into the water. Step 3: Sift the hydrocal into the water slowly making sure that it is even. Hydrocal and ultracal have high performance. 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. Once they have set and are fully fried, they have the best strength. Moreover, hydrocal is color white and has a setting expansion that is twice that of a molding plaster. Its stronger. But all three DEFINITELY have their uses. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? This is another material that you can use as an alternative for 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. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? Good luck. This material is specifically designed for thin sections. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. In the video, the process of casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed. I'm in agreement with Walace also. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? Order Ascending; Order Descending; willy6. I have been using Hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber molds, but it gets expensive after a while. Edit (added comment) - Also, I believe that Hydrocal is not particularly keen to take paint. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? Aside from that, they are also durable and lightweight. Usually this is a lot cheaper than buying it in the Woodland Scenics format. We have also shared tips and instructions on how to use hydrocal and plaster of Paris. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. Your results and mileage may be different, of course. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. 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. P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. Hydrostone are commonly used in tooling and high-quality art object application. 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). I will fill coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. I did try adding a little color to one batch and was not as happy with the wayit took washes after that. Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal. I wanted to know what is the difference? Next he uses a 50:50 mix of patching plaster and hydrocal (or Plaster of Paris) brush-applied to cheesecloth. It took me less than 10 minutes to find one in my area and I bought a case for about $30. They are easy to use and durable. End result is less air bubbles. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. Used Hydrocal for the first time 2 nights ago for a full back cast of a Gagliano cello. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what hydrocal is made of. manage your account online and more! 2. My latex molds.. are very flexible.. and would suggest always to keep them out of the sun.. or light for that matter.. I usePofP now only for rock castings. Be sure to elevate the cast off of the table to allow adequate air flow underneath, so that moisture can escape, and the cast can cure. Hardens like a rock quickly. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. thank you!! 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 would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. Cheap too. 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. Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. I know a lot of people have used plaster of Paris to make the rocks, but I don't know what plaster to water ratio to use. The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. You can check out the article for more information about the topic. I am happy with the detail.. and this is the best shot I can show you. Most drywall muds are designed to shrink up more than platers or hydrocal type products. We had the "pleasuer" of having Jeff Adam of Motrac Models as a club member. The ratio of the two ingredients is important because it affects the physical properties of the cast piece. I have tried both. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. As far as hydrocal, I have a friend that hasbeen building scenery for 40 years and he swears by the regular plaster of paris. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. You cannot paste images directly. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. I have used plaster of paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had good results. Your link has been automatically embedded. Same here, and my basement is a haven for all types of arthropodsa good thing since it keeps the distaff upstairs most often. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. It is easy to mix plaster of Paris, but there are vital steps that you need to consider so that you can have a solid and durable sculpture. 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! Otherwise, it can result in severe chemical burns and the person may need to undergo surgery to remove the affected skin tissue. Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. Bob Hahn. Both can be used in various art and craft projects. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. Avoid directly pouring hydrocal into the water. Ultracal can be used in a wide array of applications. Used for waste molds or temporary patterns where surface hardness and strength are not important. No. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. Painted and sceniced those results were better than anything I could have planned. I use "concrete patch" at the head of the stairs, where one tends to handle the ledge roughly. Wear proper clothing and protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask when working with ultracal. Sets fast in 20-30 minutes without shrinking. This creates uniform slurry. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure? You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and plaster and Paris. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, what do they make the real out of? Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have tried both. This gave very nice results, too. If you pick the wrong type of bowl.. you'll have problems cleaning it. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? 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. There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Mix the plaster into the water before adding the glue. 10 replies. You need to be careful in pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth surface. You can check out the article for useful tips and ideas that you can refer to when working with plaster of Paris. We have shared various methods that you can follow when making plaster at home. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. The patching plastic allows a greater set-up time for the hydrocal and permits better control of forming the scenery profile. What is hydrocal made of? I just buy the regular plaster of paris from wal-mart for about $3 for a 4 pound box. Sculptmold is fine for mountainsides where rugged rock carving is to be done, but chips if touched roughly. The amount of ultracal that is used and its ratio with the water as well as the mixing process can also affect its setting time. Hmmmm. I have made a lot of rock castings with this mix and have had good results with this mix. Step 1: Use portable water between 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. They produce less heat as compared to other products. Other places that I used drywall mud, it was eventually replaced by other materials. When working with hydrostone, immediately do surface clean-up on demolding as it will continue to harden for several hours thereafter. In some instances, the glue will float on top of the water. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? wow, always a lot of info on this forum! Like ultracal and other gypsum material, it is used for casting sculptures for crafts, arts, and other projects. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . Is there a difference between hydrocal and ultracal? As compared to most plasters, hydrocal is stronger. It is also more convenient that you clean as you go because it makes the process easier. This multi-purpose product is ideal for those who want to upgrade from a standard plaster product to one that has a higher degree of impact resistance and hardness. As a result, the ultracal hardens and slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline. 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. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. When it comes to mixing plaster and water, there are a few steps that should be done. 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. It is extremely non-chip, and molds well. a 10 pound box of this hydrocal was I think 10 bucks..so 1 dollar a pound. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. Moreover, it is not recommended for outdoor use. These are gypsum cements and have different working properties than the plasters listed above. #1 MOULDING PLASTER - Often referred to as "plaster of paris" or soft plaster. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. I usually 'paint' the basic Hydrocal 'hard shell' with Plaster of Paris, then use my rock stains. 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. 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 Sculptamold is somewhere in the middle between plaster and hydrocal as far as weight, and doesn't chip as easily as plaster. CustomTerrain shared the video below on YouTube. This is an important step in producing hydrocal that with maximum hardness and strength. 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