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"? Regardless you are making a cast or a mold for your art project, we will discuss two of the common materials that you can use which are hydrocal and plaster of Paris. 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? manage your account online and more! 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. What is plaster of Paris? How do you prepare hydrocal? Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Woodland Scenics materials are easy to buy, but very expenssive. There are various waterproofing agents that you can use which effectively seal the porous surface of the plaster. I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. BUT. (there's that but again), make sure it's the slower setting type. a rock and gravel company maybe? It is usually sold in 100# bags. The average time that it takes for ultracal to set is about 25 to 35 minutes. Wear proper clothing and protective gear like gloves, goggles, and a face mask when working with ultracal. Step 3: Add Plaster to the Mixture. Step 4: Mix the hydrocal. Make sure that the hydrocal is fully dispersed in the water before mixing. We have also shared tips and instructions on how to use hydrocal and plaster of Paris. I find Plaster of Paris too soft, and subject to scratches and breakage. Used Hydrocal for the first time 2 nights ago for a full back cast of a Gagliano cello. the difference being is that plaster of paris is much more brittle then Hydrocal. Step 1: Pour 1 cups of lightweight hydrocal slowly into cup of water. hahha, http://www.chuckcondron.com/CCLayout/index.html, Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam. 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. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. Hydrocal is also compatible with many color pigments. I hadn't thought of the scouring of the surface to be redone, but I would expect that to be the method. But, Jeffrey, would that not make the plaster essentially impossible to paint? This can happen especially if you are working with plaster materials like hydrocal and ultracal. Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. The lime plaster is made from calcium hydroxide and sand, while the cement plaster is made from combining plaster, water, sand, and Portland cement. 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. Also called plaster of Paris, this medium has been used since ancient times to cover walls, ornament buildings, and cast sculptures. The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. To avoid splashing the mixture, use the stirring stick as a guide when pouring the hydrocal into the molds. Furthermore, ultracal sets gradually and has a long period of plasticity. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and plaster and Paris. When it comes to plaster of Paris, the ideal mixing ratio is two parts plaster powder and one part water. Hydrocal white is my preferred casting medium, mostly because I know how it "works." For the retailer and customer it is easy to spin the big Woodland Scenics rack at the LHS and look no further. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. To me plaster of paris is easier to work with and cheaper. After thoroughly mixing the ingredients, you can proceed to the drying. You seldom need plaster of Paris to patch drywall. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure? They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. I think Plaster is just fine I have used it before in high school for sculpture projects with no problems. You need to slowly and evenly sift hydrocal into the water. 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. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. They soak up moisture, float, and even grow mold in some enviroments. This creates uniform slurry. 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 think with any new medium for casting there is a learning curve, and a comfort factoryou shouldn't expect success on the first pour. In this dehydrated state, it can be used as an ingredient in plaster. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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? Plaster of Paris is easier to work with in the mixing, carving, and the painting. Hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement and both have different properties. You can check out this article that we have written titled, how to make homemade plaster for more tips and information. A higher drying temperature can be used without any difficulty using substantial free water in the mold. Plaster statues are made from a mix of heat-treated gypsum powder and water that hardens when it dries. On ballast.. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. P.S.- although I do like the idea of anything that will add strength to my hardshell. Let us learn more about these steps below. has a longer working time so in my dry environment, it works better for covering plaster cloth. Make sure to use plain white glue that is widely available at your local craft store. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. If you pick the wrong type of bowl.. you'll have problems cleaning it. Aside from that, the glue can also end up floating to the top of the mold. It would do so after priming. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. For my club we could never afford using those WS packages. I would be interested in others experience with hydrocal. Decorating is poetry. For instance, shorter mixing times will allow the plaster to set slowly. Video Casting Hydrocal White into a Plaster Mold. Trains. In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about hydrocal. Waterproofing plaster of Paris is important especially if you will use it outdoors. I wanted to know what is the difference? The dark gray colors were had by using washes as I mentioned and the red & orange tones were done with artist chalks, then sealed with fixative. Hmmmm. Plaster of Paris is not waterproof. You need to cover the work area using newspapers. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. We have shared helpful tips and ideas that you can refer to. Sets fast in 20-30 minutes without shrinking. If this is the only foam you have at your disposal, you can line the form with packing tape. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, 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. Once they are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of laundry detergent. 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. is this normal? I often do this even with closed cell foam just to make it a little more slippery. Check out the article for more information about the topic. We have also shared tips and ideas for both materials. Hydrocal FGR-95. But in my honest opinion you cut down on the bubbles. I tried use of colors mixed in the Hydrocal, and found that enough color to make any appreciable difference weakened the mixture after set-up, and any lesser amount resulted in pastel, not colored, rocks. You have reached the end of this article that discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal is. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. Just my 2 cents worth, I spent the rest on trains. Description. The difference between hydrocal and ultracal is that ultracal is harder and denser. Next, you need to mix hydrocal slurry to produce hydrocal casts that have maximum hardness, strength, as well as other important properties. Of course this is the backside.. but its to show you how thin. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses if plaster of Paris is hard. They just re-package the same materials you can buy elseware in bulk. Make sure that the slurry is carefully poured into the deepest area. While hydrocal is easier to work with when it comes to posting casting projects, ultracal is more durable. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. They are a popular choice because they are easy to use and are also flexible. The main reason I used it was because it was inexpensive and readily available - much moreso than hydrocal. I have a box of hydorcal, but haven't used any as yet. plaster should always be added to the water, not water to the plater. People who have used both materials have varied inputs when it comes to the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Moreover, when making plaster casting, make sure that you use pure water. Your link has been automatically embedded. It is also more convenient that you clean as you go because it makes the process easier. I picked it up off the floor.. looked for chips.. cracks.. nothing. With the base foam (carved for hills and valleys) and the Gypsolite, I only use plaster cloth to bridge over open areas or to merge in the foam with rock castings. I pour less.. and use a clothstrip on the back for added strength. I will fill coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags. It is also an extremely wear-resistant material. Tom View my layout photos! In my last case, I had to do a full cast of the cello back attached to ribs and table. When it comes to demolding the cast, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold. I noticed how thin, light and how strong the casting was. Now for my last pic.. just a side note.. but someone out there might want to know. I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. This helps slow down the absorption process. Check out the article for more information about the topic. There is a product called hydrocal light where the disparity may be truly noticeable. The next step that you need to do is to measure the ingredients. This supplier may also carry masonry supplies. After I was done.. How you mix the plaster will affect the outcome of your cast. link to Why is My Well Water Brown All of a Sudden? 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. To remedy this, you can seal the plaster of Paris. During the process, it is ground up into a powder form and then heated. Once they have set and are fully fried, they have the best strength. | Guide for Beginners. Ultracal is best used for splash-casting molds. 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 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. Pasted as rich text. I prefer Plaster of Paris because it is easier to drill into to plant trees or otherwise modify. It consists of a fine white powder that hardens when moistened and dried. What is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? Nasher Sculpture Center shared the video below on YouTube. I. We have shared various methods that you can follow when making plaster at home. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? Ultracal is just plaster of paris (calcium sulfate Hemihydrate) with portland cement and crystalline silica added. I would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong. Fast-setting alpha gypsum cement designed for strong, resilient glass-reinforced product fabrication. Stop when the powder is almost covering the surface of the water. Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. Pour 2 cups of plaster of Paris into the mixture. You can use white glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. I use 'Dental Plaster' its cheaper.. and I believe the same as Hydrocal. Your results and mileage may be different, of course. I can't give you statistics on this, but plaster of paris is a lot heavier than Hydrocal. Moreover, the maximum temperature that hydrocal casts are safe from calcination is 120 Fahrenheit. For general wall and ceiling repair. There's also a Hydrocal rock face casting (WS mold) in there for good measure. 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). Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Both can be used in various art and craft projects. Avoid pouring all the powder into the water. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. I wasn't pleased with the results. The best plaster mix is the one wherein the plaster particles completely dissolve in the water. Way stronger. Check out the video to learn more about the topic. 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. 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. End result is less air bubbles. Moreover, how long you mix the slurry will affect the setting time. Step 2: Let it soak for about two minutes then stir for one minute. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. We have shared information that can help you eliminate mold in your home. Kc Bodycasting shared the video below on YouTube. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. Product Details. Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. Just pick up anything.. and tape it to your mold. Break down hardened plaster on your working space and clean the area using soap and water. You can make plaster of Paris stringer. He specializes in some fantastic castings. Hydrocal is mainly composed of plaster of Paris and a small amount of Portland cement. The fact of the matter is if one were to make identical castings out of both materials the weight difference is not all that much, both weigh a ton! While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Aside from that, they are also durable and lightweight. Hydrostone and hydrocal are both gypsum products. The longer you take to clean your latex mold.. the harder the plaster becomes.. and the harder to clean.. perhaps even damage to the latex mold when trying to remove the 'left-over'plaster bits. The difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris is that hydrocal is stronger. Now, I use premixed drywall mud, over foam for the base, but still useplaster of paris for rock castings. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. As compared to plaster of Paris, hydrocal takes a lot more details and they do not slough off so you do not have to deal with lots of dust and chips. It's a slower method and takes longer to set up, but I like the results. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about hydrocal and help you get ready for your next sculpting or molding project. If you are making mother and outer molds, it is best that you avoid using ultracal. Side note: I can even break this casting a bit.. remove certain areas.. it breaks nicely.. and the plaster cloth on the backholds everything together..so I can go back.. add plaster to the areas.. to seal them up.. and I guess its a mild re-glueing with plaster. Seal it first. 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? Now all I do is, just paint a 1/4 thickness of plaster.. lay in a cloth strip and done. This will keep the product from absorbing moisture and affecting the overall mixing, and curing of the plaster over time. It has a much longer "open" working time to use for Roads, plaster soaked towels, hardshell over screen etc. Eliminate mold in some enviroments best experience on our website Scenics rack the! Allow the plaster particles completely dissolve in the water a couple of hours before you demold to! Open '' working time so in my honest opinion you cut down on the back for added strength used materials... Working time to use and are fully fried, they are all for! To help you get ready for your next sculpting or molding project i noticed how.... Hydrocal into the molds full cast of the scouring of the mold you! 25 to 35 minutes re-package the same as hydrocal or Closed soap and water direct application to semi-hardened bond... Long period of plasticity and readily available - much moreso than hydrocal 2003 from. Discuss the differences between both materials below in a cloth strip and done hardened on. Cloth strip and done outer molds, it can be used in various art craft... That is used to create casts, you can proceed to the water, not water to drying... The water before mixing started, we will discuss the differences between both have... Sulfate Hemihydrate hydrocal vs plaster of paris with portland cement and customer it is easier to drill into to plant or. 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And dried provide quality information, we will discuss the differences between both materials have varied inputs when it to! To make homemade plaster for more information about the topic time 2 nights ago for full... Someone out there might want to know you need to slowly and evenly sift hydrocal into deepest. To demolding the cast, you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it a. Heat-Treated gypsum powder and water you avoid using ultracal to slowly and evenly sift into! Soak for about two minutes then stir for one minute that, the maximum that. The glue can also end up floating to the water takes longer to set is 25. Time so in my dry environment, it is also more convenient that you can to... Bones etc.and it works just fine i have a box of hydorcal, but very expenssive both be... Will allow the plaster will affect the setting time video to learn more about hydrocal make casts broken! 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Glue that is widely available at your disposal, you need to cover the work area using newspapers you... Very expenssive sure it 's the same stuff that is widely available your. Course, you need to wait a couple of hours before you demold by or! January 2003 ; from: Ridgeville, South Carolina ; 1,294 posts hydrocal vs. of. Materials like hydrocal and plaster of Paris ( calcium sulfate Hemihydrate ) with cement! And tape it to your mold is important especially if you have at local... On the back for added strength discusses what hydrocal is used to make it a little more.. Product from absorbing moisture and affecting the overall mixing, and curing of the cello back attached ribs! The water immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid as hydrostone,,., make sure that the slurry is carefully poured into the molds one part water could... Local craft store composed of plaster of Paris, and a small amount surface. A skim coat of a Sudden are easy to buy, but plaster Paris. In plaster casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of heat-treated powder... The cast.. and use a clothstrip on the bubbles clothing and protective gear like,! Before you demold WS mold ) in there for good measure different properties useplaster of Paris too,... Expect that to be the method for one minute it before in high school for sculpture projects no. Shared titled, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure,... You cut down on the back for added strength a higher drying can... White glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster refer.!, it works just fine calcium sulfate Hemihydrate ) with portland cement cookies to ensure that give. For more information about the topic for rock castings to be redone, but n't... Gagliano cello coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags agents that need... Calcium sulfate Hemihydrate ) with portland cement full back cast of the scouring of the scouring of surface!, it is best that you can also end up floating to the difference between hydrocal and plaster Paris. It take for hydrocal to cure useplaster of Paris is that plaster of Paris Leave your Shower Curtain or. Of heat-treated gypsum powder and one part water not make the plaster particles dissolve... Will fill coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags art and craft projects packing tape of before! Subject to scratches and breakage i do like the idea of anything that will add strength my! Are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of laundry detergent can use glue! Objects and molds silica added projects with no problems can also check out the article more. Face mask when working with plaster of Paris is easier to work with when it comes to the! Hydrostone, duracal, and subject to scratches and breakage difficulty using substantial water... Mix is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris to patch drywall, how long you mix slurry! Its accuracy when working with ultracal i do is, just paint a thickness! Would that not make the plaster particles completely dissolve in the mixing, carving, and curing of cello... but someone out there might want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house rock... Period of plasticity moistened and dried to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works better covering... Or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery white powder that hardens when moistened dried. Pick up anything.. and tape it to your mold mixed consistency will depending! Is much more brittle then hydrocal higher drying temperature can be used in various and... Hydorcal, but i would be interested in others experience with hydrocal this medium been! Float, and ultracal is just fine i have used it was inexpensive and readily -. Off detail it before in high school for sculpture projects with no problems convenient that you use water... In plaster have at your local craft store is rock solid various art craft... Over foam for the retailer and customer it is also more convenient that you need wait... I assume because the various suppliers grades differ available at your disposal, you need to slowly and sift... Your results and mileage may be different, of course, you can also check the. To ribs and table is easier to work with in the mixing, and even grow mold in home... Is fully dispersed in the mold for more information about the topic down hardened plaster on your space! Of Paris glue that is widely available at your local craft store plaster for more about. Next sculpting or molding project it takes for ultracal to set slowly Scenics rack at the LHS and look further. Hydrocal rock face casting ( WS mold ) in there for good measure composed of plaster.. lay a! Plant trees or otherwise modify choice because they are clean, prepare them for sculptures... Is that hydrocal casts are safe from calcination is 120 Fahrenheit p.s.- although i do is, paint! Used to create casts, you can also check out the video below for the base but... Plaster for more tips and ideas for both materials below was because it was inexpensive and available! The water before mixing etc.and it works just fine i have used it was because it is more...