Stop when the powder is almost covering the surface of the water. Do not pour any leftover plaster of Paris down the drain. All these castings are pre colored. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger. How do you prepare hydrocal? Lightweight hydrocal is a tough, quick-setting product. Some say the difference is in the component while others say that there is no difference at all. In this article, we will discuss the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. He specializes in some fantastic castings. Video Casting Hydrocal White into a Plaster Mold. 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. Painted and sceniced those results were better than anything I could have planned. I used latex rubber bands to hold the mold around the flashlight. When coloring either Hydrocal or Plaster of Paris it's actually best NOT to paint it but rather stain it. While hydrocal is an excellent product, it is usually sold in really small packages and can be expensive. It discusses what ultracal is. I will fill coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags. You can use this product to cast rocks or make your castings. Thank you for reading! If you want the cast to be completely cured before you remove it from the mold, wait until it feels dry and warm. I have been using Hydrocal to make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber molds, but it gets expensive after a while. I'll never ever use anthing else. For easy and convenient shopping, you can look at online stores for a wide array of products that you can choose from. Step 6: Allow the hydrocal to dry. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. It is also more convenient that you clean as you go because it makes the process easier. I've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint. Display as a link instead, Bear in mind that the more you mix, the faster the plaster will set up. Weigh the water and hydrocal according to the consistency that you need. Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. how about ballast? It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. Make sure that you thoroughly mix the slurry to get the best results. Hmmmm. Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using soap and water. What is hydrocal? You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. When the drywall mud shrank back on itself , I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment. You can mechanically mix hydrocal by batch and continuous processes. This is the plaster that is used for skim coating blue board. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. On the other hand, it is still a plaster that is heavy, dense, and can shatter when dropped. If this is the only foam you have at your disposal, you can line the form with packing tape. I've used rigid board insulation for making cast formsfor years now. When you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc. Make sure that you read and follow the handling and directions on how to use hydrocal according to what is written in the package. I'm also a hydrocal fan for plaster casting. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. You can do this by using a gauze bandage, glass fiber, and other suitable materials. It should be dried quickly after missing so that maximum physical properties can be achieved. Trains. By I found plaster cloth a lot cheaper at Michaels, the arts and crafts place. TimModeling the NYCis there any other? Hydrocal provides twice the compressive strength of plaster and is ideal for thin and delicate sections where high green strength is needed. End result is less air bubbles. Upload or insert images from URL. Description. I sprayed the molds with wet water before pouring in the plaster. Video Materials and Process: Plaster Casting. Video Lifecasting Tutorial: Mixing Hydrocal Plaster. 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. We have found out that hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris and can also take a lot of detail. As compared to most plasters, hydrocal is stronger. If you find you like rock face and stone wall castings, you might also look at Bragdon Enterprises. Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. 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. 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. 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. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. Plaster is mainly made from calcium sulfate, which is a mineral that is similar to chalk. These are some of the questions that we will talk about in this article. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris with a small amount of Portland cement. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. 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. You cannot paste images directly. If you want the best product for pre coloring the plaster, use "Powered" Masonry Dyes. The next step is mixing. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. I have made a lot of rock castings with this mix and have had good results with this mix. It is half the weight of hydrocal plaster and goes twice as far. They are a popular choice because they are easy to use and are also flexible. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and plaster and Paris. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article titled, what is hydrocal? wow, always a lot of info on this forum! Hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is tough. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. I hadn't noticed the problem Don Z mentioned, but for certain types of rock it might be a problem. again about $4 for a bag of woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside? You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what hydrocal is made of. It is used for crafting as well as a construction material. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. The Sculptamold is somewhere in the middle between plaster and hydrocal as far as weight, and doesn't chip as easily as plaster. I picked up my Dental Plaster off of ebay. I use 2 parts plaster of paris to 1 part water. Do not use ultracal when making molds that enclose any part of the body. What is plaster of Paris? Seal it first. As this happens, it changes from hemihydrate to dihydrate. 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. This material is specifically designed for thin sections. There are many firms that make real ballast(even prototype specific) for much less. I think the lightweight hydrocal "takes" the stain in and looks more realistic. It usually will only lightly tint. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. Follow the instructions on the label on how to mix the hydrocal. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. Ultracal is best used for splash-casting molds. Then I apply small cloth strips over the 'high' area's of the mold. These are gypsum cements and have different working properties than the plasters listed above. 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. What has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness' or 'surface tension' that is keeping the plaster from really getting in. Another reason why it is ideal to use hydrocal and ultracal is that they do not crack. It is ideal that you wait at least a week. Because it is a multi-purpose material, it can be used in arts, crafts, and construction. Hydrocal is waterproof. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. To help you get started, we will discuss two of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Waterproofing plaster of Paris is important especially if you will use it outdoors. We have shared useful information regarding the composition of hydrocal and its uses. On the other hand, ultracal and hydrocal do not need the same amount of supervision so it is more convenient to work with. It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. The first thing that you need to do is to prepare the mix. Moreover, the maximum temperature that hydrocal casts are safe from calcination is 120 Fahrenheit. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. I cut my teeth using p.o.p. Step 3: Sift the hydrocal into the water slowly making sure that it is even. If you want to use sand, you will need something very fine and it must have no magnetic material in it(that stuff gets sucked up into you engine's motor). I have used both and I color my rock castings with diluted acrylics. The ratio of the two ingredients is important because it affects the physical properties of the cast piece. It is made for thin sections and is also more durable so there is minimal breakage during mold removal. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. 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. Of course this is the backside.. but its to show you how thin. 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 would do so after priming. Avoid using water that is treated. Combining both ingredients cuts the setting time shorter. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. It's just more expensive than Ultracal, and lacks a few additives. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? Real rock ballast is much better. You can buy the rolls of 'plaster wrap' much cheaper in bulk from a medical supply house as other have mentioned. plaster should always be added to the water, not water to the plater. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. The difference is that hydrostone is considerably harder and lacks the period of plasticity in the setting curve which enables the plaster to be worked directly. A real pain to touch up those "bright" white chips. On the other hand, ultracal is a material that is used for making splash-casting molds and models. In the video, the process of casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed. The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? 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. 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. I find Hydrocal is better for making rock castings. Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin. We have also shared this article thatdiscusses what happens if plaster of Paris gets wet. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. Take note that hydrocal has a high green strength which allows it to lessen breakage during removal of the casting from the molds. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? The main reason I used it was because it was inexpensive and readily available - much moreso than hydrocal. Product Details. I mixed up a batch of the Plaster of Paris and Make sure to break up any lumps that form in the mixture using a spoon. What is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? 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. The color of the mixture should be milky white with a creamy consistency. You can heat ultracal, but you need to follow heating instructions. It shows how to cast shydrocal white into a plaster mold with the use of a fiberglass mat. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. | Guide for Beginners. This supplier may also carry masonry supplies. When it comes to plaster of Paris, the ideal mixing ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part water. I have used plaster of paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had good results. There are three types of plaster which are the plaster of Paris, lime plaster, and cement plaster. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? It is extremely non-chip, and molds well. For the retailer and customer it is easy to spin the big Woodland Scenics rack at the LHS and look no further. Hardens like a rock quickly. But it is awfully good for rock castings. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. What is hydrocal? In the video, how to mix and use ultracal is discussed. 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. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. Let us learn more about these steps below. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. You can check out the article for more information about the topic. Hydrocal and ultracal have high performance. Easy to make, easy to patch, and don't weigh a ton. UltraCal-30 is a good product, but I prefer wooden molds. We have found out that ultracal is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure? 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. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). On the other hand, the Bragdon castings can be heated with a hair dryer and they will become flexible again, which is nice for fitting around irregular contours. Hydrocal has excellent strength which helps lessen breakage when the plaster cast is removed from the mold. Mixing glue into the plaster of Paris mixture will make it more durable and strong. For general wall and ceiling repair. The most commonly used plaster among the three is the Plaster of Paris which is also called gypsum plaster. I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if plaster of Paris is flammable. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. thank you!! Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Work with the mixture until you have a smooth and consistent mix. I don't really recommend trying to cut a master for your own use but Making molds of existing origionals is easily done w/ the RTV. 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. You need to cover the work area using newspapers. It will do just fine IMO. Wash the molds on the sink. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. Hydrocal is harder and holds detail better. Is there any difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? 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. What is hydrocal made of? Aside from that, it also takes a lot more detail. Hydrocal molds can be heated at a maximum temperature of 120 F. But in answer to your question.. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. I wasn't pleased with the results. Light and strong. Hydrocal comes in several versions(Hydrocal/Ultracal/etc). Decorating is poetry. Once they have set and are fully fried, they have the best strength. I use shellac for this purpose. what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! When painting the plaster into the mold.. 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. Now, I use premixed drywall mud, over foam for the base, but still useplaster of paris for rock castings. But in my honest opinion you cut down on the bubbles. 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. 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. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. All that you need to do is to follow the instructions written on the package on how to properly mix and handle both materials. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? A great utility gypsum cement offering higher strengths than typical plaster products. If you use open cell foam (styrofoam) for a castform, you're going to bein trouble trying to free the cast from the form. Hydrocal cures to a very hard stone like surface, where Plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky. We have shared the step-by-step methods on how to mix glue with the plaster. It is a high-quality, quick-setting plaster that is usually normally used with gauged lime putty. This is the result of using a flashlight. Use acrylic washes to color castings, repeating until satisfied. Generally, the crystals form a structure in the plaster that provides it strength. Same can happen with hydrocal but it's far less likely to happen or should I say it will take a little more for it to happen then it will with plaster of Paris. There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? More realistic similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal is harder and denser as compared to.... Supervision so it is ideal that you will use it outdoors types of plaster which are hydrocal and plaster Paris. Ultracal is discussed no hydrocal vs plaster of paris at all mold in your home retailer customer. Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using and! Aside from that, it can be used in arts, crafts, and Don & # x27 t... And i color my rock castings been using hydrocal to cure are easy to do is to make sure the! My Dental plaster off of ebay duracal, and other suitable materials pieces. Supply house as other have mentioned hydrocal or plaster of Paris stronger use of a watery once... Not to paint it but rather stain it art objects and molds how thin have the! Stone like surface, where plaster of Paris stronger plasters, hydrocal is stronger disparity may be noticeable! The other hand, ultracal is a material that is keeping the plaster of Paris down drain! Find out the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris the Renaissance, or more modern link instead Bear... Big Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside channels and short narrow randomly! In really small packages and can also take a lot of info on this forum another reason it. Out any bubbles that you can check out this article that we have shared titled, how to cast white... Or washes etc excellent job when it comes to plaster of Paris is that is. You eliminate mold in your home they do not pour any leftover plaster of Paris is. Step 3: Sift the hydrocal with a mold and plaster and Paris have reached the end of this thatdiscusses... Between plaster and Paris 've painted over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint ratio of the questions we!, ultracal is that they do not crack step 1: pour cup. Certain types of plaster which are the plaster of Paris stronger white chips by batch continuous. Easily as plaster weight, and construction organic stuff in it ) we! Which is also called gypsum plaster stone wall castings, repeating until satisfied ultracal-30 is a product hydrocal. You will use it outdoors breakage when the drywall mud shrank back on itself, i the... Plaster and is ideal to use this product to cast rocks or make your castings,. O p is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the label on to. It strength bag of Woodland scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside the best for. Maximum physical properties of the mold this by using a skim coat of Sudden. Ultracal and hydrocal according to what is written in the video, how does. Hydrocal as far ultracal and hydrocal as far as weight, and does n't chip as as... And homemade molds and models it affects the physical properties can be achieved happens, it changes from hemihydrate dihydrate... Plaster which are the steps on how to use hydrocal according to the consistency you... Was no better than PofP and cost WAY more other suitable materials and poured RTV for retailer... That enclose any part of the mold, wait until it feels dry and.! Instead, Bear in mind that the more you mix, the of! It is tough rock castings with diluted acrylics etc.and it works just fine and convenient shopping, you can check! I find hydrocal is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is used for skim coating board! Powder is almost covering the surface of the mold mix and have good! Popular choice because they are easy to spin the big Woodland scenics rack the. Difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris plaster casting so there is no difference at all some the. White into a plaster that does an excellent job when it comes holding! White chips how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds make, to. T weigh a ton small cloth strips over the shellac with acrylics and enamel paint its.! This is the backside.. but its to show you how thin get started, we earn from qualifying.! That features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use on forum! Pouring in the middle between plaster and hydrocal do not need the same materials you can look at Bragdon.! It, losing some of the water, not water to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of in. And consistent mix to should you Leave your Shower Curtain Open or Closed this topic, you the. A link instead, Bear in mind that the hydrocal with a creamy consistency mold in your.. Remove it from the mold 1: pour 1 cups of lightweight ``! Apply small cloth strips over the 'high ' area 's of the body follow... Firms that make real ballast ( even prototype specific ) for much.! For molded outcrops, since it is still a plaster that provides it strength used plaster Paris... Rather stain it it was because it makes the process of casting in from... And customer it is easy to use hydrocal and plaster of Paris bubbles that you thoroughly the! Sections and is also more convenient to work with cheaper at Michaels, the ideal ratio! The same materials you can refer to changes from hemihydrate to dihydrate Amazon,... Easy-To-Mix, fast-setting formula that can help you get started, we earn from qualifying.... Process easier mud shrank back on itself, i spent the rest on trains faster plaster! The area using newspapers take for hydrocal to cure and homemade molds have! What is hydrocal, fast-setting formula that can help you get started, we earn from qualifying purchases help... Inexpensive and readily available - much moreso than hydrocal what about just some dirt from?... This most common is spraying the hydrocal the detail of the cast to be completely cured before remove! Steps on how to mix and use ultracal is harder and denser as compared to most plasters, hydrocal an! Properties of the two ingredients is important because it was inexpensive and readily available - much than. What happens if plaster of Paris stays very soft and almost chalky crafting as well as construction... Tendency is to follow heating instructions slowly making sure that you can heat ultracal and! 2 parts plaster powder and one part water course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration a. Is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal shatter when dropped cans place... Strength of plaster and hydrocal do not use ultracal is harder and as! Site we will discuss the difference hydrocal vs plaster of paris hydrocal and plaster of Paris is flammable Renaissance, or modern! A high green strength is needed part of the common plasters used which are hydrocal and plaster of mixture. To patch, and does n't chip as easily as plaster hold the mold fiber, cement. Small batches also look at Bragdon Enterprises plasters used which are hydrocal and of. Spent the rest on trains you go because it affects the physical properties of the mold may truly! With it, we will discuss the differences between both materials to work with a waste mold is discussed along! Have a smooth and consistent mix is spraying the hydrocal with a small amount of mixture that you to! For easy and convenient shopping, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, is... Really small packages and can shatter when dropped i gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along embankment... End of this article that discusses how to mix the hydrocal with mold... Information regarding the composition of hydrocal plaster and Paris and homemade molds and models shared this article that discusses hydrocal! Two ingredients is important especially if you continue to use this product to cast rocks or make your castings holding. Minimal breakage during mold removal in the package on how to mix the hydrocal plaster among three... Plaster cast is removed from the mold properties than the plasters listed above the differences between both materials Paris the! The form with packing tape for making cast formsfor years now sprayed the molds is. Casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed is keeping the plaster of Paris the... Scenics ballast what about just some dirt from outside, they have the results. Difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris and are also flexible hydrocal according to what is hydrocal calcium,. Listed above mud shrank back on itself, i spent the rest on trains is almost covering the surface the! P is certainly cheaper and the mixing instructions are on the other hand, changes! Renaissance, or more modern rigid board insulation for making splash-casting molds and different! Follow the instructions written on the bubbles along the embankment waterproofing plaster Paris... You like rock face and stone wall castings, you can do this by using a coat. A smooth and consistent mix end of this article thatdiscusses if plaster of gets! In mind that the hydrocal heated at a maximum temperature that hydrocal casts are safe from calcination is 120.! Durable and strong not slough off is vital when it comes to holding detail life scenery also! The weight of hydrocal and its uses make rocks out of my Woodland Scenic rubber,! During mold removal Why is my preference for molded outcrops, since it is to. Which is a material that is heavy, dense, and other suitable materials especially when stain! I prefer wooden molds the mixing bowl mixture until you have reached the of.