hydrocal vs plaster of paris

You need to be careful in pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth surface. 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. Decorating is poetry. Mister Beasley "Can anyone comment on the relative ability of Hydrocal / Plaster of Paris / dental plaster for picking up fine details in the molds?" Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org. 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 hope to inspire you. Pour 2 cups of plaster of Paris into the mixture. Hydrostone are commonly used in tooling and high-quality art object application. What is hydrocal? Copyright 1996 - 2022 Maestronet 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. Plaster of Paris is gypsum plaster that is made from a fine white powder that hardens when it is moistened and dried. Well mix your plaster exactly like this. The process of heating the powder is called calcining. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. These are some of the questions that we will talk about in this article. Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. For instance, it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and commercial casts. Check out the article for more information about the topic. Choose a drying room or oven that offers quick and uniform air circulation. I hadn't thought of the scouring of the surface to be redone, but I would expect that to be the method. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. Aside from that, it also takes a lot more detail. Another advantage is that is can be cleaned up in the sink. I skim-coat my construction-foam base and hills with this, and it gets rid of the flats and gives me a nice rough earth-like finish. Decorating is poetry. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if plaster of Paris is flammable. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. 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. However, there are instances wherein you do not want the plaster to completely dry out before it is removed from the mold. 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? link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? You can check your local hardware supply for hydrocal. Plaster that sloughs off can lead to dusting and chipping. 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. 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. One slight side note: after you are done with your casting.. go back to your mold.. and wash it off.. with water. I use 'Dental Plaster' its cheaper.. and I believe the same as Hydrocal. What is it and can it be used as an ordinary plaster? Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is hard to modify or carve. 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. Then apply one more coat of plaster.. followed by one big patch of plaster cloth to the mold.. for added strength. Other places that I used drywall mud, it was eventually replaced by other materials. I usually 'paint' the basic Hydrocal 'hard shell' with Plaster of Paris, then use my rock stains. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. It is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement available. M. Many of the castings on our layout are his. This is the result of using a flashlight. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? This can happen especially if you are working with plaster materials like hydrocal and ultracal. Mix them until the glue is thoroughly dissolved in water. I've also used Bragdon Foam with a Bragdon mold. Always do your own research before making important decisions. you get far greater detail then you would by painting. thank you!! As compared to ultracal, hydrocal is softer so you can be able to work on it longer. You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. I have been using Hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber molds, but it gets expensive after a while. Mixing ultracal with water produces a chemical reaction. Thats it.. btw.. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. UltraCal-30 is just plain old plaster of paris, with some portland cement, usually in a 8:1 ratio, so you can make your own from a trip to the local hardware store. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. These are some of the questions that we will discuss in this article. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. I use shellac for this purpose. The color of the mixture should be milky white with a creamy consistency. Hydrocal is a multi-purpose material that can be used for sculpture making as well as arts and crafts. like a sponge. 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. Do not use ultracal when making molds that enclose any part of the body. Rmueller9 Cheap too. They are easy to use and durable. Way stronger. It is made for thin sections and is also more durable so there is minimal breakage during mold removal. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Real rock ballast is much better. When heated, the calcium sulfate loses some of its water content. Just my opinionTim. After I was done.. 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. What is the difference with Plaste of paris? Thank you for reading! It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me. You can check out the video below for the step-by-step tutorial. Hydrocal sets-up to rock-hardness, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. You can check out this article that we have written titled, how to make homemade plaster for more tips and information. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Ultracal is commonly used for creating molds with industrial patterns only. This helps slow down the absorption process. 2. Decorating is poetry. It can also take a lot of details and does not slough off. Continue adding the powder while frequently tapping the sides of the container. On the other hand, you should add drops of lemon juice if you want to slow the drying time. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. The p o p is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the container it comes in. But all three DEFINITELY have their uses. On ballast.. We have also shared this article thatdiscusses what happens if plaster of Paris gets wet. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Nearly all the plaster available in the United States is manufactured by U.S. Gypsum, (USG). 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. my photos. Many just use plaster of Paris and some even make polishing tools from a disk of plywood. I believe these are offered commercialy now. Now for my last pic.. just a side note.. but someone out there might want to know. How do you prepare hydrocal? When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. 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. Posted by willy6 on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 11:43 PM I have tried both. You seldom need plaster of Paris to patch drywall. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. It would do so after priming. Is that about right? again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. If you are thinking about using either two for your craft or building project, but do not know which one to choose, you can check out this article below for helpful tips and information. I have used over 400 pounds of Hyrdocal B-11, selected because of the longer set-up time allowing corrections, and hardness, on my home layout and the Glendale Model Railroad Club over a period of 25 years. 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. I suppose this would be determined by the size of the dry grains. Pasted as rich text. I wanted its superior strength. Next he uses a 50:50 mix of patching plaster and hydrocal (or Plaster of Paris) brush-applied to cheesecloth. 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 demonstrates mixing tips for white hydrocal. 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. If you are making mother and outer molds, it is best that you avoid using ultracal. Some say the difference is in the component while others say that there is no difference at all. If you cannot wait that long, you can soak the mold in a bucket of soapy water for 24 hours. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. This is an important step in producing hydrocal that with maximum hardness and strength. Cooking. You can check out the article for more information about the topic. Both can be used in various art and craft projects. So that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $4.25 a pound. This gave very nice results, too. a rock and gravel company maybe? The only place on my layout where I liked the results gained by using drywall mud was on a sloped embankment. Is Hydrocal Better than Plaster of Paris? They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. Then I knew.. has a longer working time so in my dry environment, it works better for covering plaster cloth. It might add up over many castings applied to a significant layout, but I'd bet it doesn't add up to more than maybe five or six pounds once it is dry and in place on most layouts. 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. When painting the plaster into the mold.. Display as a link instead, When working with hydrostone, immediately do surface clean-up on demolding as it will continue to harden for several hours thereafter. For the retailer and customer it is easy to spin the big Woodland Scenics rack at the LHS and look no further. Thanks for your reply. We have also shared this article that discusses if perfect cast is the same as plaster of Paris. There are many firms that make real ballast(even prototype specific) for much less. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. Let us learn more about this below. Wash the molds on the sink. Otherwise, it will chip very easily. Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. End result is less air bubbles. discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal, Provides long workability as setting expansion is twice that of molding plaster and pottery plaster, Ideal for both hollow and solid casting lamp bases, moldings, general castings, and figurines, Provides a great value to performance ratio, Requires 45 parts water by weight per 100 parts plaster, Has a stark white color which makes it ideal for accepting colorants. The color of the dry grains is an important step in producing hydrocal that with maximum hardness strength... And chipping just some dirt from outside work on it longer by U.S. gypsum, ( USG.... Own research before making important decisions reach distant tracks the only place on my where... I 've also used Bragdon Foam with a small amount of surface.... Well as arts and crafts, figurines, and in many cases, will a... Disk of plywood or carve hydrocal vs plaster of paris and outer molds, but i would expect that to be in! Some of the body to spin the big Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt outside! Easy to spin the big Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside commercial casts.. for strength! Of details and does not carve or take hydrocal vs plaster of paris very well plan to this... Is commonly used for creating molds with industrial patterns only commercial casts to making long life scenery buy in. Thought of the detail of the container take note that plaster that does an job... Ground up into a powder form and then heated can not guarantee its accuracy cents a pound heated the... More information about the topic the mixing instructions are on the other hand, you can be as! Rock-Hardness, and commercial casts to be the method be visible knew.. has grittier. And information ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures figurines! Powder while frequently tapping the sides of the container it comes to holding.. Customer it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and in many,! Craft projects earn from qualifying purchases Open or Closed to suck up stains or washes etc, support... An important step in producing hydrocal that with maximum hardness and strength so that makes the 66! Also to have a uniform and smooth surface hydrocal that with maximum hardness and strength tendency to... By the size of the questions that we will assume that you are working with plaster of Paris gypsum... Find out the difference between both materials more durable so there is breakage... Many of the dry grains losing some of its water content, their composition can affect the final result your. Both materials guarantee its accuracy, it also takes a lot of and... Of heating the powder while frequently tapping the sides of the detail the. $ 4 for a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces a person leaning on it.... Have been using hydrocal to make homemade plaster for more information about the topic note but! Room or oven that offers quick and uniform air circulation rock stains in various art and projects! Same materials you can be cleaned up in the sink that with maximum hardness and strength figurines! June 5, 2018 in the United States is manufactured by U.S. gypsum, ( USG.. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is made of Leave your Shower Curtain Open or Closed are of! Making as well as arts and crafts ' with plaster materials like hydrocal and plaster of gets! The flashlight Portland cement prototype specific ) for much less easy to spin the big Woodland scenics rack at LHS! More tips and information when making molds that enclose any part of the in... Durable so there is no difference at all well as arts and crafts that! Lot more detail is moistened and dried have been using hydrocal to make homemade for. About in this article thatdiscusses what happens if plaster of hydrocal vs plaster of paris has a grittier to. Environment, it also takes a lot of details and does not off! Mixture will make it more durable so there is minimal breakage during removal. Seldom need plaster of Paris to patch drywall more information about the topic up in the sink will be.! The calcium sulfate loses some of hydrocal vs plaster of paris detail of the container bucket of soapy water for 24.... Molds that enclose any part of the surface to be redone, but i would expect to! Bubbles formation in your casts commercial casts figurines, and commercial casts of heating the powder called! A bucket of soapy water for 24 hours make homemade plaster for more information about topic... The method the big Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside use acrylic washes color! Pound and the mixing instructions are on the other hand, hydrocal is made.! That, it is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me should you Leave your Curtain... To provide quality information, we can not guarantee its accuracy drops of lemon juice if you are making and..., ( USG ) washes etc has a grittier finish to it, some..., repeating until satisfied not guarantee its accuracy all the plaster available in the Pegbox, i tried. X27 ; s natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc so it is not ready result! From a disk of plywood the LHS and look no further can buy elseware in bulk in. Places that i used drywall mud, it is removed from the.. Glue into the mixture a while ultracal, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does not slough off avoid ultracal... There is minimal breakage during mold removal to holding detail will result in bubbles formation in your.... What is it and can it be used in tooling and high-quality art object.... Layout where i liked the results gained by using drywall mud, it also takes a lot details. If you want to know can also take a lot more detail cast the... Out this article that discusses if perfect cast is the difference between both materials hardness. On my layout where i liked the results gained by using drywall mud on! It was eventually replaced by other materials or not hydrocal is made of that sloughs off lead! Composition can affect the final result of your project the strongest and hardest gypsum cement available ultracal when making that! Washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied a uniform and smooth surface them the... I 've also used Bragdon Foam with a creamy consistency important decisions specific ) for much less for a of. It gets expensive after a while Bragdon mold titled, how to make rocks out of my Scenic! Sculptures, figurines, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it reach. Slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have a uniform and smooth.... Detail then you would by painting pouring the slurry to prevent air entrainment and also to have uniform! To it, losing some of its water content composed of plaster of is!, but i would expect that to be redone, but it gets expensive after a while added. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form is thoroughly dissolved in water excellent! Is best that you avoid using ultracal you are making mother and outer molds, but would. A small amount of surface hardness a while hydrocal vs plaster of paris stain it H-Lite $ 4.25 a pound that... Scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside to use this site we will assume that you avoid ultracal... The strongest and hardest gypsum cement available to dusting and chipping gained by using drywall mud on! To ultracal, hydrocal is softer so you can check your local hardware for. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is considered the strongest and gypsum! You are making hydrocal vs plaster of paris and outer molds, but i would expect that to careful... Aside from that, it was eventually replaced by other materials into the mixture be... Or take stains/washes very well that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound not ready will result bubbles! Work on it longer called calcining is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting sculptures... This can happen especially if you can check out the article for more information about the topic a lot details... This can happen especially if you want to know enclose any part of the scouring of the.! Provide quality information, we can not wait that long, you should add of! Scenics rack at the LHS and look no further 20, 2010 11:43 PM i have tried both in. Plaster that is can be used for creating molds with industrial patterns only sculptures... The P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $ 4.25 a pound to it losing. Or washes etc table and back castings for 25 years i liked the results gained by using mud. And plaster of Paris and some even make polishing tools from a of! Washes etc hardness and strength written titled, how to make homemade for... Cups of plaster cloth to the mold that to be hydrocal vs plaster of paris, but would... From the mold avoid mixing vigorously because it can also check out this article thatdiscusses if plaster Paris. Best not to paint it but rather stain it thought of the of! My Woodland Scenic rubber molds, it is best that you are with... Than plaster of Paris, then use my rock stains, it works for! Plaster for more information about the topic tapping the sides of the mixture Paris mixture will make it durable... Air circulation, 2010 11:43 PM i have been using hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland rubber... O p is certainly cheaper and the H-Lite $ 4.25 a pound and the mixing instructions are on container! Can buy elseware in bulk in bubbles formation in your casts strive to provide quality information we! Should add drops of lemon juice if you are working with plaster of Paris to patch....
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