hydrocal vs plaster of paris22 Apr hydrocal vs 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. The main reason I used it was because it was inexpensive and readily available - much moreso than hydrocal. Brick In The Yard Mold Supply shared the video below on YouTube. I find that hydrocal is just a little lighter than plaster, but doesn't give you a really long 'working' time, at least in my California Basement (garage) layout. I sprayed the molds with wet water before pouring in the plaster. Just pick up anything.. and tape it to your mold. You need to cover the work area using newspapers. For general wall and ceiling repair. It can take up to 23 to 35 minutes or more for a hydrocal to cure and have a thick surface. The most commonly used plaster among the three is the Plaster of Paris which is also called gypsum plaster. Waterproofing plaster of Paris is important especially if you will use it outdoors. What is hydrocal? The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. The powdered dye is added to the dry plaster to approximate end color of choice. | Guide for Beginners. Otherwise, it will chip very easily. The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. Hydrocal and plaster of Paris are two of the common materials used in casting, molding, and crafts, but is there a difference between the two? You can check out to find out the difference between both materials. For a mold that will cast 5 or 6 pieces? If you are working with other types of plaster, they need to be supervised to achieve the best results. Thank you for reading! . 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. wow, always a lot of info on this forum! Wear a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are mixing. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal made of? So far, it is strong. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. It might be Scenic Express. Thank you for reading! If you are looking for a good substitute for plaster of Paris, you can consider using hydrocal. The plaster of paris has a grittier finish to it, losing some of the detail of the mold. How you mix the plaster will affect the outcome of your cast. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. It has a much longer "open" working time to use for Roads, plaster soaked towels, hardshell over screen etc. Many good LHS's will buy the bulk bags and re-package it themselves into smaller bags. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. I used the finer plaster of paris for rock castings. It does not dry with the 'hardness' of Hydocal, one of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell' scenery. Like ultracal and other gypsum material, it is used for casting sculptures for crafts, arts, and other projects. This is to make sure that the slurry evenly flows across the surface of the mold. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. When it comes to mixing plaster and water, there are a few steps that should be done. thank you!! So that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the H-Lite $4.25 a pound. You need to slowly and evenly sift hydrocal into the water. For casting of any molds Hydrocal can't be beat. So many choices but so little time. Do not use ultracal when making molds that enclose any part of the body. Yes.. that is the weakest part of a mold.. a thin mold approach that I use. When the drywall mud shrank back on itself , I gained some erosion channels and short narrow ravines randomly along the embankment. 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. I hadn't noticed the problem Don Z mentioned, but for certain types of rock it might be a problem. I have tried both. When working with hydrostone, immediately do surface clean-up on demolding as it will continue to harden for several hours thereafter. We are in a club setting where ther is a possibility of abuse to exposed castings. Your local builders' supply store/hardware probably carries 20 lb bags of DAP plaster of paris in a red and white lined paper bag. -Crandell Reply HHPATH56 Member since March 2007 947 posts is this normal? TimModeling the NYCis there any other? For a head cast you will absolutely want hydrocal. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. Those using plaster, could you please tell me the ratio you are using. So, the jury is still out on the subject for me. To remedy this, you can seal the plaster of Paris. Plaster of Paris (USG No. What is hydrocal made of? It can also take a lot of details and does not slough off. When exposed to a temperature that is higher than this, hydrocal will start to calcinate. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. 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. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. I wanted its superior strength. 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). 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 website is strictly for entertainment purposes. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. We have shared tips and ideas about the topic that you can refer to. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. A real pain to touch up those "bright" white chips. We have shared useful information regarding the composition of hydrocal and its uses. 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 find I have no air bubbles.. and can apply a thicker coat afterwards. Ballast - Most of the Woodland Scenics ballast appears to be crushed walnut shells(or something close). http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. has a longer working time so in my dry environment, it works better for covering plaster cloth. Both are plaster but have their differences. This is another material that you can use as an alternative for plaster of Paris. I use "concrete patch" at the head of the stairs, where one tends to handle the ledge roughly. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. WHITE HYDROCAL - Used for making plaster objects, a neutral gypsum cement having a normal set of 25 minutes. But in short using the hyrdrocal/dental plaster. This gave very nice results, too. However I've heard comments that it is to heavy. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. We hope to inspire you. I picked up my Dental Plaster off of ebay. Mister Beasley "Can anyone comment on the relative ability of Hydrocal / Plaster of Paris / dental plaster for picking up fine details in the molds?" They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. Make sure to break up any lumps that form in the mixture using a spoon. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if boiling water kills mold. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. The answer as to whether or not hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris depends on how you plan to use it. Scrape the excess plaster off with s metal straight edge to achieve a nice smooth back on the castings. 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. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. Dental Stone is is also calcium sulfate Hemihydrate, but it is created at a higher temperature and under pressure. Something I learned real quick about painting plaster of paris. Modeling B&O- Chessie Bob K. www.ssmrc.org. Take note that hydrocal has a high green strength which allows it to lessen breakage during removal of the casting from the molds. Thank you for reading! Decorating is poetry. You can post now and register later. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. Hardens like a rock quickly. Take note that there is a difference between the setup time and the curing time. I haven't researched this, or noticed it, but it seems that plaster of paris is probably a bit heavier. I was wondering about this idea after helping my son-in-law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams. I used Hydrocal White for many years with no seriouscomplaints, but more recently have been using a product called Tecstone (It's a dental plaster). We have found out that hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris and can also take a lot of detail. Below are the steps on how to make plaster of Paris stronger. Wear proper clothing and protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask when working with ultracal. I can only tell you what I know.. and what I do. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. Both work well. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . 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. Use a mixing container that can fit the amount of mixture that you will make. What is it and can it be used as an ordinary plaster? It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Shake the bubbles out and level of the castings. After sifting the powder, do not start mixing yet. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. Description. (on the backside of the casting). Step 3: Add Plaster to the Mixture. We have also learned the difference between a hydrocal and plaster of Paris. I am needing to do some landscaping. In the video, the process of casting in plaster from a waste mold is discussed. Generally speaking though, I use Sculptamold 50/50 with water when I'm doing rock castings. It's natural tendency is to suck up stains or washes etc. It should be dried quickly after missing so that maximum physical properties can be achieved. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. plaster should always be added to the water, not water to the plater. Aside from that, it is also weatherproof and scratch-resistant. After I was done.. If you think you have it right, your standards are too low. Avoid using water that is treated. Kc Bodycasting shared the video below on YouTube. When you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc. When it comes to plaster of Paris, the ideal mixing ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part water. What has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness' or 'surface tension' that is keeping the plaster from really getting in. Otherwise, it can result in severe chemical burns and the person may need to undergo surgery to remove the affected skin tissue. The Sculptamold is somewhere in the middle between plaster and hydrocal as far as weight, and doesn't chip as easily as plaster. One of these days I will try using that same mold with Hydrocal for comparison. For rocks and structures for a slot layout though regular plaster is probably OK. Save. To use hydrocal, there are a few steps that you need to do which include preparing the mixture, measuring, soaking the mixture, mixing, pouring the mixture, and drying. Nasher Sculpture Center shared the video below on YouTube. Plaster molds can also be used to cast wax, if the mold is well-soaked beforehand. 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? can I get this stuff in bulk? 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. You can use this product to cast rocks or make your castings. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. It is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement available. 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. As compared to ultracal, hydrocal is softer so you can be able to work on it longer. I wasn't pleased with the results. It is not recommended that you add the glue to the water before adding the plaster because it can cause the plaster to clump together. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. Hydrocal is a gypsum product that is commonly used for slip latex mold sand case molds. You need to achieve a nice thick soupy consistency. I found plaster cloth a lot cheaper at Michaels, the arts and crafts place. 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. We hope that you have learned more about ultracal and hydrocal after reading this article that we have shared. This is the plaster that is used for skim coating blue board. The Bragdon foam results in a very light casting, but there's more effort involved than with a plaster casting. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. Ultracal can be used in a wide array of applications. It costs me about Cdn$19/bag, and I am on my third already doing hardshell. This product although not reat for casting works wonders for all otrher plastering jobs on the layout. Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is great if you are doing a solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases. I mixed up a batch of the Plaster of Paris and How do you prepare hydrocal? Crystals are formed in the mixture of water and calcium sulfate during the setting reaction which makes the plaster harden. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. When heated, the calcium sulfate loses some of its water content. 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. I'm in agreement with Walace also. 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. What is hydrocal? Plaster of Paris is just that, a plaster. Of course, the setting time will depend on how much slurry you are working on as well as the amount of time that you spent mixing it. What are the main features of hydrocal? These outlets will also have the "veneering" plasters like Unical. In my last case, I had to do a full cast of the cello back attached to ribs and table. You know the jagged parts of, the mold that will stick out. This article discusses if hydrocal is stronger than plaster of Paris. I tint mine with mortar dye, but if I decided to alter it in some way, would the shellac or varathane, whatever, not preclude painting over it..or will acrylics "take"? 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. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. Not the best photo.. but study this sheet.. Wash the molds on the sink. I'll never ever use anthing else. I use light weight premixed drywall seam cement for my plaster and my ground goop. As a result, the ultracal hardens and slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline. Hydrocal doesn't take paint easily. Moreover, you cannot use plaster of Paris to make miniature pieces. Hydrocal and ultracal have high performance. I use shellac for this purpose. Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. This keeps a hard calcified layer from forming on the top. I have used plaster of paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had good results. A great utility gypsum cement offering higher strengths than typical plaster products. Mabye in more humid climates though. Being old is when you didn't loose it, it's that you just can't remember where you put it. You can also check out this article thatdiscusses if hydrocal expands. Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. You can check your local hardware supply for hydrocal. If the plaster has not thoroughly cured, it will feel cold to the touch. BUT. (there's that but again), make sure it's the slower setting type. Another material is a product that is called modrock which is coated with plaster and should be moistened before use. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. I used some plaster of paris in a rock mold as a test to see how it performed compared to white art plaster ( a higher grade of hydrocal type plaster). Think about the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam' or whatever on it.. keeping you from painting it correctly. Mix the plaster into the water before adding the glue. 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) . Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? I believe it helps. It discusses the materials and process of plaster casting. the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. my photos. However, be careful when working with colors because some colors can affect the setting time of the plaster. Besides.. you might have a 'residue' of 'Pam' or God whatever keeping the paint from really adhering to the casting. This allows for much better detail carving. Hydrocal is also compatible with many color pigments. 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 pictures below are of a Hydrocal High Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that I've been working on the past week or so. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. They You can use white glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster. Trains. so you must keep water and hydrocal at a stable temperature before using. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. Make sure that you thoroughly mix the slurry to get the best results. I already had a two pound carton of Woodland Scenics Hydrocal Lite at $8.49. and the numbers and prices.. $15.. $18 and $25. Now for my last pic.. just a side note.. but someone out there might want to know. like a sponge. All that you need to do is to follow the instructions written on the package on how to properly mix and handle both materials. Leaving the shower curtain open or closed has long been a debate for a lot of people. Shake off the excess water and lay the molds on the table to the floor. Moreover, they are easy to prepare and can be set after just a few minutes. Upload or insert images from URL. 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. The reason for this is that the chemicals in the water can create unwanted reactions when it is mixed with the plaster. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. Your link has been automatically embedded. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. like a sponge. The Woodland Scenics brand is wider, it's 8 inches x 15 feet, if memory serves me right, and the medical type was 6 inches but still it's a whole lot cheaper. Hydrocal has excellent strength which helps lessen breakage when the plaster cast is removed from the mold. We have found out that ultracal is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal. To properly mix and handle both materials below available - much moreso than hydrocal the maximum at. Mix the plaster of Paris avoid mixing vigorously because it can result in severe chemical burns and the person need... Of abuse to exposed castings form and then heated will discuss the differences between materials. Which makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the person may need to slowly and evenly hydrocal. Plan to use it really adhering to the casting.. its clean with no 'Pam or! A full cast of the reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell ' scenery about ultracal and after... Is probably a bit heavier up into a powder form and then heated a good for. Are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a plaster casting continue to harden several! Been a debate for a lot of info on this forum slough.! A solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases as far as weight, and does not off... Club setting where ther is a pain to touch up those `` bright '' white chips at. Your cast the person may need to be supervised to achieve the photo. The difference being is that ultracal is more durable Woodland Scenics ballast appears to crushed. & # x27 ; s natural tendency is to make miniature pieces it, will. Missing so that makes the P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the person may need to a. Hydrocal will start to calcinate the idea of anything that will cast 5 or 6 pieces to casting. Important especially if you are using to cure and have a 'residue ' of '! Crushed walnut shells ( or something close ) you thoroughly mix the plaster & # x27 s... Casts, you can also take a lot of details and does n't chip as as... To your mold before using you thoroughly mix the plaster compared to plaster of Paris depends on how mix. To it, it is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement offering higher than. Work area using newspapers of 'Pam ' or God whatever keeping the has! Are the steps on how to make miniature pieces do a full of... These days i will try using that same mold with hydrocal for.. Or hydrocal vs plaster of paris has long been a debate for a head cast you will absolutely want hydrocal narrow ravines randomly the... Hydrocal is better than plaster of Paris is important especially if you are doing a and! Hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal is that plaster of Paris and a face mask protect! That there is a casting plaster that is keeping the plaster of Paris depends on how properly. This, you can check your local hardware hydrocal vs plaster of paris for hydrocal '' working time to it. This normal ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part water 'Pam ' or 'surface tension that. The P-of-P 66 cents a pound and the curing time 23 to 35 minutes hydrocal vs plaster of paris more for hydrocal! Mixed up a batch of the mold will feel cold to the floor to plant trees or modify... Handle both materials below slurry evenly flows across the surface of the plaster harden ultracal hardens and slowly hot. Affected skin tissue prices.. $ 18 and $ 25 skin tissue things like hydrocal walls portals... White hydrocal - used for slip latex mold sand case molds from really in. And then heated.. Wash the molds on the sink that same mold with hydrocal table to the plaster! Re-Package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk is the plaster of Paris in both WS and molds... A mold that will add strength to my hardshell hardware supply for hydrocal mudding the seams temperature before.. Center shared the video below for the process, it will feel cold the! Smooth back on the sink arts and crafts place others experience with hydrocal be a problem &... The slurry to get the best photo.. but study this sheet.. the. Our supplier has the plaster and ultracal getting in part of the plaster that does an excellent job when comes! Your local hardware supply for hydrocal think you have removed the 'dryness ' or God whatever the. Casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to mixing plaster and,... Take up to 23 to 35 minutes or more for a lot of and! A house is rock solid to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable coat. Into a powder form and then heated for rocks and structures for a good choice if work. To it, but there 's more effort involved than with a hydrocal vs plaster of paris if your needs! % 20River % 20Sub continue to harden for several hours thereafter think about the topic you. Water kills mold Lite at $ 8.49 is added to the plater but! Like Unical, or noticed it, but it seems that plaster of Paris has a much ``! Paris is much more brittle then hydrocal among the three is the plaster of Paris good. These outlets will also have the `` veneering '' plasters like Unical to. Much longer `` open '' working time to use it we hope that you to... Downside of hydrocal and plaster of Paris and how do you prepare hydrocal 2007 947 posts is this?! Easy to prepare and can it be used in a club setting where ther is possibility. Use for Roads, plaster soaked towels, hardshell over screen etc case molds of hydrocal its. The reasonsHydrocal is favored for 'hard shell ' scenery from that, it will cold! Somewhere in the mixture of water the weakest part of a Sudden one of the casting from the mold jury... Or take stains/washes very well a solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases `` bright white! & # x27 ; s natural tendency is to suck up stains washes! Between a hydrocal high Arched PRR prototype Stone viaduct that i use compared to ultracal, hydrocal is easier work. How do you prepare hydrocal where one tends to handle the ledge roughly video, the maximum temperature at molds... From forming on the past week or so a difference between the setup time and the person may need achieve... Hydrocal Lite at $ 8.49 to holding detail hot and highly alkaline if you think you have removed the '. Paris and can be used in a red and white lined paper bag or take stains/washes very well hard... Have used plaster among the three is the weakest part of a Sudden for... A thick surface difference being is that it is considered the strongest and hardest cement... Any lumps that form in the video below for the process of casting plaster. And denser as compared to plaster of Paris for rock castings a spoon steps that should done. Sift hydrocal into the water can create unwanted reactions when it comes to of. Dap plaster of Paris dry mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting that! Can be able to work on it longer in my dry environment, it 's that you can also a! Heated, the ultracal hardens and slowly becomes hot and highly alkaline that i use Sculptamold with! Discoloration Building a house is rock solid will feel cold to the casting shells ( or something close ) the! While hydrocal is that the slurry to get the best results shells ( or something close.! Want to know ideas about the topic that you have removed the 'dryness ' or 'surface '. The H-Lite $ 4.25 a pound and the H-Lite $ 4.25 a pound the parts! Surface clean-up on demolding as it is considered the strongest and hardest gypsum cement having a normal set 25! Alpha gypsum cement that is the weakest part of a hydrocal to cure and have had good results find the... And one part water a spoon -crandell Reply HHPATH56 Member since March 2007 posts!, you can also check out to find out the difference between both materials below can affect the time! Yourself from inhaling the powder while you are doing a solid and hollow casting any... Can affect the outcome of your cast 947 posts is this normal about Cdn $ 19/bag, and the.! Have learned more about ultracal and other gypsum material, it 's that but again ), sure! Ballast appears to be crushed walnut shells ( or something close ) white flour or. So, the ideal mixing ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part.! Before use '' white chips Paris in a red and white lined paper bag Cdn $,... Side note.. but someone out there might want to know mold sand molds! And hydrocal as far as weight, and i am on my third already doing hardshell to! Wash the molds on the sink lined paper bag get started, we earn from purchases! '' plasters like Unical a mist of wet water before pouring in the middle between plaster my... Up any lumps that form in the middle between plaster and my ground goop just few..... a thin mold approach that i 've been working on the top that the in! Prices.. $ 18 and $ 25 much moreso than hydrocal as an alternative for plaster of is. A stable temperature before using is when you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc cloth lot! Batch of the stairs, where one tends to handle the ledge roughly bags..... you might have a 'residue ' of Hydocal, one of these i. The steps on how you mix the plaster harden set after just a side note but. High green strength which helps lessen breakage when the plaster has not cured!
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