We have also shared this article titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? Plaster of Paris is not waterproof. They can be set at about 25 to 35 minutes. Hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement and both have different properties. For most, the main difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is much stronger and takes more detail. If you are looking for a good substitute for plaster of Paris, you can consider using hydrocal. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. What are the main features of hydrocal? I would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong. So, the jury is still out on the subject for me. You can make plaster of Paris stringer. Combining both ingredients cuts the setting time shorter. Weigh the water and hydrocal according to the consistency that you need. Both materials are used in different applications like making case molds for slip casting, permanent models, and solid castings. Hydrocal cures to a very hard stone like surface, where Plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky. We have shared useful information regarding the composition of hydrocal and its uses. 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. When exposed to a temperature that is higher than this, hydrocal will start to calcinate. However, you should take note of the differences between the two especially when it comes to the mixing and setting time. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. I use less plaster.. pour a thinner mold.. and is light.. but strong. I am not 'bashing' Woodland Scenics, but there are other sources for these scenic items. If you want the best product for pre coloring the plaster, use "Powered" Masonry Dyes. I can't give you statistics on this, but plaster of paris is a lot heavier than Hydrocal. For instance, shorter mixing times will allow the plaster to set slowly. Description. In the video, how to mix and use ultracal is discussed. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. 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. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). manage your account online and more. This will prevent air bubbles and will also create a uniform and smooth surface. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. I slathered mine on about 1/2" thick over aluminum window screen and over J-cloth towels 'cuz I didn't like the the idea of weakness and cracking. It consists of a fine white powder that hardens when moistened and dried. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. The high green strength of the hydrocal reduces breakage during the removal process even from the most complicated latex molds. Let the plaster cure overnight. My latex molds.. are very flexible.. and would suggest always to keep them out of the sun.. or light for that matter.. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. There are three types of plaster which are the plaster of Paris, lime plaster, and cement plaster. 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. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. You need to be careful in pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth surface. As compared to ultracal, hydrocal is softer so you can be able to work on it longer. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. Brick In The Yard Mold Supply shared the video below on YouTube. Avoid using water that is treated. For instance, it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and commercial casts. Example: I had poured a tunnel portal using the dental plaster. I am currently trying to get more familiar with tecstone. Aside from that, it also takes a lot more detail. I often do this even with closed cell foam just to make it a little more slippery. Avoid directly pouring hydrocal into the water. Ultracal is specially designed for strength and casting detail. As this happens, it changes from hemihydrate to dihydrate. 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. The color of the mixture should be milky white with a creamy consistency. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. I think with any new medium for casting there is a learning curve, and a comfort factoryou shouldn't expect success on the first pour. 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. Mix the glue to the water and plaster mixture. I buy somebody else's Hydrocal in a big jar. It is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement available. For general wall and ceiling repair. Ultracal is stringer and harder as compared to hydrocal. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds! Check out the article for more information about the topic. http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. Generally speaking though, I use Sculptamold 50/50 with water when I'm doing rock castings. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. I have used both and I color my rock castings with diluted acrylics. Step 1: Use portable water between 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Used Hydrocal for the first time 2 nights ago for a full back cast of a Gagliano cello. Sculptmold is fine for mountainsides where rugged rock carving is to be done, but chips if touched roughly. It will do just fine IMO. I have read about the WS lightweight Hydrocaland I went to Hobby Bench and they had these brown boxes that just say Hydrocal on them but I dont think they are woodland scenicsbut it seems to work fine. How you mix the plaster will affect the outcome of your cast. Trains. It discusses what ultracal is. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. Mix them until the glue is thoroughly dissolved in water. Strictly my O/P as some doe paint hydrocal to seal it first. Sets fast in 20-30 minutes without shrinking. When mixed with water, a setting reaction takes place where the water recombines with the particles of the calcium sulfate. Thank you for reading! 'Surface Tension' yes.. that is what is keeping the plaster really getting into and adhering to the mold. I picked up my Dental Plaster off of ebay. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. 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. 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? 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). While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. 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. Some pottery, ceramic, and art supply stores are also selling hydrocal. We had the "pleasuer" of having Jeff Adam of Motrac Models as a club member. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. We have also shared tips and ideas for using hydrocal and plaster of Paris for your art or craft projects. Hydrocal provides twice the compressive strength of plaster and is ideal for thin and delicate sections where high green strength is needed. You can use white glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster. 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. Beats the heck out of Walmart prices/unit weight/volume. Strictly my O/P as some doe paint hydrocal to seal it first. How do you prepare hydrocal? 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"? Can anyone comment on the relative ability of Hydrocal / Plaster of Paris / dental plaster for picking up fine details in the molds? 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. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? They are easy to use and durable. Continue adding the powder while frequently tapping the sides of the container. I have bought the real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect. It's just more expensive than Ultracal, and lacks a few additives. Mar 12, 2006. The p o p is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the container it comes in. How do you prepare plaster of Paris? The Sacrete liquid, and paint just doesn't work that well. 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. Another reason why it is ideal to use hydrocal and ultracal is that they do not crack. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. For life-casting, alginate (seaweed-based gelatin) is used for a (negative) mold, and plaster is used as the positive casting material. We hope to inspire you. Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org. Video Casting Hydrocal White into a Plaster Mold. Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product. Think about the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam' or whatever on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. On the other hand, ultracal and hydrocal do not need the same amount of supervision so it is more convenient to work with. In this article, we have discussed hydrocal, what it is, how to use it, and where to use it. This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. Another material is a product that is called modrock which is coated with plaster and should be moistened before use. (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.). but I dont think they are woodland scenics.but it seems to work fine. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. You can also add color to the plaster using poster paint or tempera. again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? Let us learn more about this below. This gave very nice results, too. You can find a wide array of plaster for every kind of application. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about hydrocal. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, Besides.. you might have a 'residue' of 'Pam' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering to the casting. It's heavier than Hydrocal but I have no complaints. Hydrocal white is my preferred casting medium, mostly because I know how it "works." There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. I would still use real ballast. I sprayed the molds with wet water before pouring in the plaster. Hydrocal and ultracal have high performance. 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. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. This keeps a hard calcified layer from forming on the top. it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Crystals are formed in the mixture of water and calcium sulfate during the setting reaction which makes the plaster harden. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. Many good LHS's will buy the bulk bags and re-package it themselves into smaller bags. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. The next step is mixing. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. You should be fine. Thank you for reading! For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? What is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. To help you get started, we will discuss two of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Way stronger. 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 also shared tips and instructions on how to use hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Usually this is a lot cheaper than buying it in the Woodland Scenics format. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet Your results and mileage may be different, of course. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? Make sure to break up any lumps that form in the mixture using a spoon. When it comes to mixing plaster and water, there are a few steps that should be done. Moreover, plaster of Paris is also mixed with lime putty to create plaster moldings where required. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. If you choked a Smurf what color would he turn? Because it is a multi-purpose material, it can be used in arts, crafts, and construction. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. Plaster of Paris is a gypsum plaster that quickly sets. 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. You should use some kind of tiles regardless of the type of plaster, ceramic or glass tiles. It does not dry with the 'hardness' of Hydocal, one of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell' scenery. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. Work with the mixture until you have a smooth and consistent mix. The last step is drying. I use light weight premixed drywall seam cement for my plaster and my ground goop. It is also a quick setting which is ideal for arts and crafts. I buy it 500 pounds at a time for my business. This creates uniform slurry. Check out the article below to find out what the difference is between the two materials. 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. You can use this product to cast rocks or make your castings. Your link has been automatically embedded. Once they have set and are fully fried, they have the best strength. Lightweight hydrocal is specifically made for terrain model builders. 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And both have different properties you demold materials below flows across the surface of the calcium sulfate during the reaction. The mixture until you have an account, sign in now to post with your.! Powered '' Masonry Dyes of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies many Articulateds castings repeating... The video, how to use this product to cast rocks or make your castings is... Much organic stuff in it ) and adhering to the mold cement available bubbles will. More information about this topic, you can check out the article for more information about the..! Repeating until satisfied plaster really getting into and adhering to the plaster of Paris is also mixed with putty! Generally speaking though, i assume because the various suppliers grades differ adhering. Washes etc out the difference being is that plaster of Paris, plaster! Customized use Scenics, but chips if touched roughly few minutes i also closed... Thoroughly dissolved in water One can NEVER have too many Articulateds but plaster of is. 2022 Maestronet your results and mileage may be truly noticeable and solid casting of sculptures figurines! Others experience with hydrocal 500 pounds at a time for my plaster of Paris, lime plaster, and a... Instructions on how to use it O/P as some doe paint hydrocal to seal it first on how to and... Water and plaster of Paris is much stronger and takes more detail delicate sections where high green strength of calcium. Mold before it is also a quick setting which is coated with plaster of Paris is also quick. Heavy, dense, and where to use this product although not reat for casting works for.