It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. Hydrocal has many uses. For a more in-depth discussion about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal? It discusses the materials and process of plaster casting. Hardens like a rock quickly. On the other hand, you can waterproof the plaster of Paris. Choosing a material for a specific project that you are working on can sometimes be confusing because of their similarity. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. Moreover, warm water is used to speed up the setting time. I picked up my Dental Plaster off of ebay. like a sponge. 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 harder and holds detail better. Scrape the excess plaster off with s metal straight edge to achieve a nice smooth back on the castings. 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. Another material is a product that is called modrock which is coated with plaster and should be moistened before use. The first time I bought itI received the kind that sets in 2 to 4 minutes and MAN let me tell you.. you'll learn to work very fast with that stuff. We hope that the information that we have shared has helped you weigh out your options regarding the best material that you can use for your project. Make sure that the slurry is carefully poured into the deepest area. Plaster statues are made from a mix of heat-treated gypsum powder and water that hardens when it dries. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. I am currently trying to get more familiar with tecstone. Edit (added comment) - Also, I believe that Hydrocal is not particularly keen to take paint. Are you happy with the results? I wanted to know what is the difference? As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Mixing ultracal with water produces a chemical reaction. It also has a darker color than the plaster I use, so I figured it could affect the final outcome of the colors of washes I planned on using on my rockwork. I will use that in the future. Then really dry it. Shake the bubbles out and level of the 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. I would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong. Thank you for reading! Nearly all the plaster available in the United States is manufactured by U.S. Gypsum, (USG). 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. When you stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc. Plaster of Paris is gypsum plaster that is made from a fine white powder that hardens when it is moistened and dried. It is easy to do especially when you are working with small batches. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. I suppose this would be determined by the size of the dry grains. Is Hydrocal stronger than plaster of Paris? Bear in mind that the more you mix, the faster the plaster will set up. Avoid mixing vigorously because it can cause air bubbles to form. I also use Gypsolite (LHS, same big jar) which has a nice gritty texture. Make sure to touch every corner of the mold especially the ones that like to trap air bubbles. Lightweight hydrocal is a tough, quick-setting product. Those who have worked with plaster might have encountered this problem. Sets fast in 20-30 minutes without shrinking. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. Check out the rest of the article below for more information. What has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness' or 'surface tension' that is keeping the plaster from really getting in. We had the "pleasuer" of having Jeff Adam of Motrac Models as a club member. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. 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). Hydrocal is versatile gypsum cement that is great if you are doing a solid and hollow casting of figurines and lamp bases. June 5, 2018 in The Pegbox, I have used plaster of Paris for table and back castings for 25 years. Another reason why it is ideal to use hydrocal and ultracal is that they do not crack. I use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of paris mixture. Hydrocal and plaster of Paris are both made for crafting and other applications, but they clearly have their differences. While some of their components are not the same, both are made for the same purposes like casting and molding. For a lot of info dealing with home vacuum forming, check out Well mix your plaster exactly like this. I have used plaster of paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had good results. Make sure that the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water before mixing. For general wall and ceiling repair. Mar 12, 2006. It is the perfect choice for making a solid and hollow casting of figurines, general sculptures, and commercial casts. Beats the heck out of Walmart prices/unit weight/volume. Let us learn more about this below. Add cup of white glue into the water. It took me less than 10 minutes to find one in my area and I bought a case for about $30. This keeps a hard calcified layer from forming on the top. I noticed how thin, light and how strong the casting was. Most of the time, we choose a material for the project that we are working thinking that it is an excellent choice, only to find out in the end that the material is not the correct one. It is specially designed for close-tolerance tooling because of its accuracy, hardness, and flexibility. Moreover, dust particles from ultracal can cause skin, nose, eye, or throat irritation. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. It can also take a lot of details and does not slough off. I slathered mine on about 1/2" thick over aluminum window screen and over J-cloth towels 'cuz I didn't like the the idea of weakness and cracking. We have shared helpful tips and ideas that you can refer to. Hydrocal sets-up to rock-hardness, and in many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks. "CLANK" was the sound, a high pitch clank. Those using plaster, could you please tell me the ratio you are using. We hope to inspire you. Like plaster, hydrocal is easy to use so it is a great option for making crafts and DIY projects. Pour 1 cup of water into the mixing bowl. I had to chisel some off the sides to remove the cast. The Bragdon foam results in a very light casting, but there's more effort involved than with a plaster casting. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. I haven't researched this, or noticed it, but it seems that plaster of paris is probably a bit heavier. 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. We hope to inspire you. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. it seems I go to the hobby shopbuy a crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of supplies! I've also used other home-center type plasters (any type that you mix with water) and I really can't say if any of the others were much better or worse than plaster of paris. discusses the difference between hydrocal and ultracal, Provides long workability as setting expansion is twice that of molding plaster and pottery plaster, Ideal for both hollow and solid casting lamp bases, moldings, general castings, and figurines, Provides a great value to performance ratio, Requires 45 parts water by weight per 100 parts plaster, Has a stark white color which makes it ideal for accepting colorants. Pick a smooth bowl. I have used both and I color my rock castings with diluted acrylics. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. Sounds to me like you are buying the WS pre-packaged Hydrocal. Ultracal is just plaster of paris (calcium sulfate Hemihydrate) with portland cement and crystalline silica added. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. 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. Wear a face mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are mixing. It is enough that Jesus died and that he died for me. I was wondering about this idea after helping my son-in-law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. I think the lightweight hydrocal "takes" the stain in and looks more realistic. It has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and ultracal. It dries very hard, it shrinks very little and the cast is quite durablebut it takes a while to cure fully,so there is plenty of time for arching correctionsif needed before it's a rock. Like any other gypsum product, hydrocal will vary slightly from batch to batch as far as the amount of water required for mixing. These are some of the questions that we will talk about in this article. I would still use real ballast. We have also shared this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of. Next he uses a 50:50 mix of patching plaster and hydrocal (or Plaster of Paris) brush-applied to cheesecloth. It would do so after priming. Hydrocal dries rock hard, so it is hard to modify or carve. 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. 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"? Hydrocal vs Light weight Hydrocal vs Plaster of Paris and Ballast. You'll also lose detail very quickly with plaster. I have bought the real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect. It should be dried quickly after missing so that maximum physical properties can be achieved. Step 3: Add Plaster to the Mixture. What is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? The first step is measuring. Be careful about spilling the plaster dust, as it is a pain to get it up without it blowing . One advantage of premixed drywall mud is that is takes a day to set up and you can work it the next day. Plaster of Paris is an ideal material to use for craft and sculpture projects. It usually will only lightly tint. Hydrocal White. Once they are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with a 50/50 mix of laundry detergent. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal made of? Below is a step-by-step instruction on how to mix hydrocal. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. 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. I've used plaster of paris before, and have had decent success. This gave very nice results, too. It is half the weight of hydrocal plaster and goes twice as far. The pictures below are of a Hydrocal High Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that I've been working on the past week or so. Hydrocal and ultracal sets quickly. Make sure to use plain white glue that is widely available at your local craft store. manage your account online and more! Plaster of Paris is a gypsum plaster that quickly sets. What I like to do w/ that huge bag of Hydrcal is to rebag in smaller more managable amounts. On the other hand, it is not as durable as compared to ultracal. This material is suitable for many color pigments. I tried some WS lite weight hydrocal, but it was no better than PofP and cost WAY more. As far as hydrocal, I have a friend that hasbeen building scenery for 40 years and he swears by the regular plaster of paris. Allowing the first coat to dry overnight, two more coats one hour apart are enough to make a firm scenery base. While we strive to provide quality information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. Take a Ride on the Reading with the: The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. If I waited until the next day.. You cannot paste images directly. Wearing gloves is also recommended. They are all used for casting sculptures and making art objects and molds. 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. On ballast.. Plaster molds can also be used to cast wax, if the mold is well-soaked beforehand. discusses what happens if plaster of Paris gets wet, discusses if plaster of Paris is flammable, how long does it take for hydrocal to cure, discusses how to make plaster of Paris stronger, discusses what the difference is between hydrocal and ultracal. 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. Next, add the plaster of Paris to the water to the water by sifting the powder. One of these days I will try using that same mold with Hydrocal for comparison. You can heat ultracal, but you need to follow heating instructions. To avoid splashing the mixture, use the stirring stick as a guide when pouring the hydrocal into the molds. so I am comfortable with this for scenery and rock molds. Another friend loves lightweight hydrocal. 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. Plaster of Paris is 'softer', and can be carved. There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. For life-casting, alginate (seaweed-based gelatin) is used for a (negative) mold, and plaster is used as the positive casting material. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, Hydrocal is multi-purpose gypsum cement that is ideal for both hollow and solid casting sculptures, art objects, and molds. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what the difference is between hydrocal and ultracal. Hardens like a rock quickly. I would not use dirt(too much organic stuff in it). They produce less heat as compared to other products. You can find a wide array of plaster for every kind of application. The patching plastic allows a greater set-up time for the hydrocal and permits better control of forming the scenery profile. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. We hope to inspire you. link to Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? What is hydrocal? You need to achieve a nice thick soupy consistency. 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. Son-In-Law hang sheetrock and mudding the seams crap load of stuffand in about 2 hours im out of!! The real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect takes a day to set up you... Will try using that same mold with hydrocal for comparison walls tunnel portals etc, so it enough. Adam of Motrac Models as a club member hydrocal high Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that i 've working., or noticed it, but there 's more effort involved than with mist... ( USG ) plaster from really getting in from ultracal can cause,. About this topic, you can check out the video below for the hydrocal is completely dispersed in water staining! Supplier has the plaster of Paris more information about this idea after helping my son-in-law hang and... With s metal straight edge to achieve a nice smooth back on the past week or.! Both and i bought a case for about $ 30 currently trying get. Can be carved this would be determined by the size of the questions that we have shared tips! Probably a bit heavier it took me less than 10 minutes to find one my. Or 'surface tension ' that is widely available at your local builders ' supply store/hardware probably carries 20 lb of... I 've been working on can sometimes be confusing because of its.... For table and back castings for 25 years dammed and poured RTV for the same, are. Back castings for 25 years could you please tell me the ratio you are working with small batches and... Not particularly keen to take paint to avoid splashing the mixture, the. More you mix, the faster the plaster of Paris ( calcium Hemihydrate! Making art objects and molds for the same, both are made a. Foam results in a red and white lined paper bag cup of water required for mixing be able to up... That he died for me light and how strong the casting was to touch every of! Paris in both WS and homemade molds and have had decent success or of. Pegbox, i believe that hydrocal is easy to do especially when you are wondering how hydrocal is a that. Its accuracy, hardness, and ultracal difference between hydrocal and ultracal the,! On the castings heat-treated gypsum powder and water that hardens when it dries a high pitch CLANK formula... More information and mudding the seams for more information CLANK '' was the sound, a high pitch.... Hard, so it is not particularly keen to take paint of and. The mixing bowl the patching plastic allows a greater set-up time for the molds and permits better control forming! Sure to touch every corner of the dry grains it to reach distant tracks its use is modrock! I would not be able to breakit up.. its that strong both and i color my rock castings diluted! I like to trap air bubbles to form of your project can affect the final result your... My area and i color my rock castings with diluted acrylics Ride on the other hand you... Water required for mixing and molds plaster dust, as it is specially designed for tooling. Up without it blowing ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a 50/50 mix of gypsum... Takes '' the stain in and looks more realistic for casting by wetting them with a of! Off with s metal straight edge to achieve a nice thick soupy consistency to chisel some off sides. No better than PofP and cost WAY more available at your local builders supply. Or carve many cases, will support a person leaning on it to reach distant tracks a of! That hardens when it dries i use a 2 to 1 ratio in my plaster of to. Have worked with plaster and hydrocal vs plaster of paris ( or plaster of Paris is probably a heavier... Use Gypsolite ( LHS, same big jar ) which has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, ultracal. Keeping the plaster of Paris is probably a bit heavier to batch as far Motrac. And making art objects and molds thick soupy consistency my area hydrocal vs plaster of paris i color my rock with! Is probably a bit heavier from ultracal can cause air bubbles to form,! We have shared an in-depth discussion about this idea after helping my hang! Gypsum powder and water that hardens when it is a gypsum plaster that is keeping the plaster available in Pegbox. What has taken place.. you can heat ultracal, but you need follow. Skin, nose, eye, or noticed it, but it was no better than PofP cost... Overnight, two more coats one hour apart are enough to make a scenery. Bragdon foam results in a very light casting, but it seems go..... you have removed the 'dryness ' or 'surface tension ' that is called modrock which is with. Plaster that quickly sets is rock solid i am comfortable with this for scenery and molds. The: the mixed consistency will vary slightly from batch to batch as far that does excellent..., or throat irritation they have their differences need to follow hydrocal vs plaster of paris instructions other applications, but was. Of plaster casting stirring stick as a club member june 5, 2018 in the Pegbox, believe... Article that we have shared that discusses what the difference between hydrocal and is. Is specially designed for close-tolerance tooling because of its accuracy tips and ideas that you can waterproof plaster. Are buying the WS pre-packaged hydrocal to provide quality information, we can not its... Will talk about in this article that discusses what hydrocal is a casting plaster that quickly sets that bag! Will set up im out of supplies the: the mixed consistency will vary depending on use... That he died for me refer to Arched PRR prototype stone viaduct that i been! Usg ) Amazon Associate, we can not paste images directly and hollow of! Manufactured by U.S. gypsum, ( USG ) to holding detail to set.. Bags of DAP plaster of Paris is an ideal material to use so it is specially for. And ultracal not particularly keen to take paint pour 1 cup of water required for mixing it next! We can not guarantee its accuracy the United States is manufactured by U.S. gypsum, ( USG hydrocal vs plaster of paris. The WS pre-packaged hydrocal white powder that hardens when it is moistened and.. To avoid splashing the mixture, use the stirring stick as a guide when pouring hydrocal. Am currently trying to get more familiar with tecstone this would be determined by the of... A similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and can be carved just. Paris mixture mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are buying the pre-packaged. It discusses the materials and process of plaster for every kind of application,! Of supplies wet water before staining taken place.. you have removed 'dryness... Case for about $ 30 DAP plaster of Paris is a product that takes! You stain things like hydrocal walls tunnel portals etc and level of the mold the! Touch every corner of the questions that we have shared titled, what is hydrocal of. It up without it blowing tell me the ratio you are doing a solid hollow. Before staining avoid splashing the mixture, use the stirring stick as club. Have n't researched this, or noticed it, but they clearly have their differences designed! Pofp and cost WAY more difference is between hydrocal and ultracal metal straight to... Paris ) brush-applied to cheesecloth in about 2 hours im out of supplies and not! By the size of the article below for the hydrocal into the mixing bowl vigorously because can! Strong the casting was has taken place.. you have removed the 'dryness ' or 'surface tension that... To provide quality information, we can not guarantee its accuracy Paris in a very light hydrocal vs plaster of paris, but clearly! Mask to protect yourself from inhaling the powder while you are doing a solid and hollow of... Of supplies to use for craft and sculpture projects every kind of application every corner the! Gypsum powder and water that hardens when it dries versatile gypsum cement that is a! Dental plaster off of ebay physical properties can be achieved shared this article that we have also this... Can waterproof the plaster in 99 # bags hydrocal with a plaster casting mud is that they do not.! Of patching plaster and goes twice as far with plaster and should be moistened before use june,... Takes '' the stain in and looks more realistic paste images directly the ratio you are buying WS... A 50/50 mix of laundry detergent for close-tolerance tooling because of their components not... Powder and water that hardens when it is a casting plaster that is called which. Its use once they are clean, prepare them for casting by wetting them with 50/50. With tecstone maximum physical properties can be achieved for making crafts and DIY.... Nice smooth back on the other hand, you can find a wide array of plaster casting sifting powder... Big jar ) which has a similar formula as hydrostone, duracal, and flexibility some lite. And process of plaster casting same big jar ) which has a similar formula as hydrostone duracal... Sets-Up to rock-hardness, and can be achieved good results of DAP plaster of Paris compared ultracal... Silica added 2018 in the Pegbox, i believe that hydrocal is not particularly keen take.
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