While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Both have pros and cons so you need to make sure that you weigh out your options to make the best choice based on the project that you are working on. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. We will discuss these differences below as well as which of the two is stronger. You need to mix the plaster carefully to avoid adding air. What is the Difference between Hydrocal and Plaster of Paris? Yeah, Jeffrey, that makes sense. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Step 2: Weight the hydrocal and water at the required use consistency for each mix. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. Hydrostone and hydrocal are both gypsum products. You need to achieve a nice thick soupy consistency. Those using plaster, could you please tell me the ratio you are using. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . They are generally used for sculpture, patterns, commercial casts, and figurines. 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. They are easy to use and durable. 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. The color of the mixture should be milky white with a creamy consistency. 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? Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Excessive amounts can affect the overall drying and curing of the product. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about hydrocal and help you get ready for your next sculpting or molding project. However, most sealers cause the plaster to have a sheen, do not take stains, and do not make the finished scenery any stronger or damage resistant. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. Step 3: Add Plaster to the Mixture. Of course this is the backside.. but its to show you how thin. For most, the main difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is much stronger and takes more detail. Hardens like a rock quickly. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if hydrocal expands. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. 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. 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) . Hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is tough. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. 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. 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"? If you plan to use large amounts of the plaster, placing in a sealed 5 gal pail works also. When you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc. You can do this by using a gauze bandage, glass fiber, and other suitable materials. Let us learn more about this below. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. Is Hydrocal stronger than plaster of Paris? These outlets will also have the "veneering" plasters like Unical. Hydrocal vs Light weight Hydrocal vs Plaster of Paris and Ballast Posted by VulcanCCIT on Wednesday, October 18, 2006 10:34 PM I have read about the WS lightweight Hydrocal.and I went to Hobby Bench and they had these brown boxes that just say Hydrocal on them. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Tap the bottom of the mold to help remove bubbles on the mixture. After I was done.. Just pick up anything.. and tape it to your mold. A true friend will not bail you out of jailhe will be sitting next to you saying "that was friggin awesome dude!" It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Smack it on the table. You can mechanically mix hydrocal by batch and continuous processes. Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris 50312 views. You can use free water in the mold to have a higher drying temperature. The process of heating the powder is called calcining. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. Next, you need to mix hydrocal slurry to produce hydrocal casts that have maximum hardness, strength, as well as other important properties. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. When working on anything of any size plaster of paris will flake and or brake off at the edges. Mabye in more humid climates though. For a lot of info dealing with home vacuum forming, check out Reading Company Technical & Historical Society http://www.readingrailroad.org/. 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? 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. I buy somebody else's Hydrocal in a big jar. When formed under a template it is slightly on the . This material is specially designed for making thin sections. Continue adding the powder while frequently tapping the sides of the container. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. Ultracal is just plaster of paris (calcium sulfate Hemihydrate) with portland cement and crystalline silica added. Check out the rest of the article below to learn more about the materials. Avoid using water that is treated. Order Ascending; Order Descending; willy6. Bob Hahn. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. When exposed to a temperature that is higher than this, hydrocal will start to calcinate. We have shared helpful tips and ideas that you can refer to. Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin. Avoid directly pouring hydrocal into the water. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. It is ideal that you wait at least a week. What is hydrocal made of? I have been using Hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber molds, but it gets expensive after a while. http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub. Step 4: Mix the hydrocal. Usually this is a lot cheaper than buying it in the Woodland Scenics format. This is the plaster that is used for skim coating blue board. Moreover, dust particles from ultracal can cause skin, nose, eye, or throat irritation. 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. They are a popular choice because they are easy to use and are also flexible. Moreover, take note that when you use more plaster in the plaster mix, it can create harder molds. Moreover, hydrocal does not slough off as compared to plaster of Paris. Hydrocal is multi-purpose gypsum cement that is ideal for both hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and molds. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Many good LHS's will buy the bulk bags and re-package it themselves into smaller bags. How Long Does it Take for Hydrocal to Cure? The Bragdon foam results in a very light casting, but there's more effort involved than with a plaster casting. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. but I dont think they are woodland scenics.but it seems to work fine. 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. For instance, it is ideal for making a hollow and solid casting of sculptures, figurines, and commercial casts. We have found out that ultracal is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal. Plaster of Paris (USG No. I stopped using much plaster cloth after I discovered foam scenery. You'll also lose detail very quickly with plaster. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Crystals are formed in the mixture of water and calcium sulfate during the setting reaction which makes the plaster harden. Lightweight hydrocal is a tough, quick-setting product. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. For my club we could never afford using those WS packages. Another advantage is that is can be cleaned up in the sink. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. Tom View my layout photos! Good luck. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. We have shared tips and ideas about the topic that you can refer to. Hmmmm. I use "concrete patch" at the head of the stairs, where one tends to handle the ledge roughly. 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. Dental Stone is is also calcium sulfate Hemihydrate, but it is created at a higher temperature and under pressure. They have the lowest setting expansion as compared to any gypsum cement. Hydrocal provides twice the compressive strength of plaster and is ideal for thin and delicate sections where high green strength is needed. What is the difference between hydrocal and 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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. Your previous content has been restored. I use shellac for this purpose. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. Kc Bodycasting shared the video below on YouTube. I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. Plaster of Paris (Hilton?) Weigh the water and hydrocal according to the consistency that you need. I believe these are offered commercialy now. Once you have measured the ingredients, you need to soak them. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. Cheap too. 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. Light and strong. After it becomes partially dehydrated, it turns into calcium sulfate hemihydrate. We hope to inspire you. UltraCal-30 is a good product, but I prefer wooden molds. Thanks, Rich. Cycling. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Is there any difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? WHITE HYDROCAL - Used for making plaster objects, a neutral gypsum cement having a normal set of 25 minutes. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. how about ballast? It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . We hope that you have learned more about ultracal and hydrocal after reading this article that we have shared. a rock and gravel company maybe? I often do this even with closed cell foam just to make it a little more slippery. Mister Beasley "Can anyone comment on the relative ability of Hydrocal / Plaster of Paris / dental plaster for picking up fine details in the molds?" Besides.. you might have a 'residue' of 'Pam' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering to the casting. I did try adding a little color to one batch and was not as happy with the wayit took washes after that. Get all the moisture you can see off the mold. 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