Ultracal is a good choice if your work needs accuracy and a good amount of surface hardness. Now for my last pic.. just a side note.. but someone out there might want to know. Always do your own research before making important decisions. Plaster of Paris is a gypsum plaster that quickly sets. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what is the difference between hydrocal and plaster of Paris? Plaster of Paris (USG No. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. We have shared an in-depth discussion. If you are wondering how hydrocal is used to create casts, you can check out the video below for the process. Avoid using water that is treated. What I like to do w/ that huge bag of Hydrcal is to rebag in smaller more managable amounts. It is usually sold in 100# bags. Hydrocal is stronger as compared to plaster of Paris. I have bought the real and the woodlandI mixed them and liked the effect. Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin. I usePofP now only for rock castings. 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. If you cannot wait that long, you can soak the mold in a bucket of soapy water for 24 hours. Like Jeff, I also userigid closed cell insulation for cast forms. Generally, the maximum temperature at Ultracal molds can be heated safely is 120 Fahrenheit. Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, Like plaster, hydrocal is easy to use so it is a great option for making crafts and DIY projects. Tom View my layout photos! Bear in mind that the more you mix, the faster the plaster will set up. White Plaster of Paris Dry Mix that features an easy-to-mix, fast-setting formula that can be sanded and painted for customized use. 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. Hydrocal White. I don't know why.. Once you have measured the ingredients, you need to soak them. So many choices but so little time. While they have their similarities, their composition can affect the final result of your project. Order Ascending; Order Descending; willy6. I also use Gypsolite (LHS, same big jar) which has a nice gritty texture. I truly believe that all you have to do is 'wet' your mold down. Ah to make this very short. Aside from that, the glue can also end up floating to the top of the mold. Should You Leave Your Shower Curtain Open or Closed? For general wall and ceiling repair. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana. This website is strictly for entertainment purposes. I will fill coffee cans and place in quart size plastic bags. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. Way stronger. You can use white glue, white flour, or Paris powder as a substitute for plaster. We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic. Step 4: Mix the hydrocal. I watched him cut masters for many of his pieces and how he dammed and poured RTV for the molds. Take note that plaster that does not slough off is vital when it comes to making long life scenery. Check out the article for more information about the topic. We have also shared tips and ideas for both materials. You can mechanically mix hydrocal by batch and continuous processes. It is made for thin sections and is also more durable so there is minimal breakage during mold removal. They soak up moisture, float, and even grow mold in some enviroments. I will use that in the future. Plaster of paris and cement are about the same price, you just have to buy twice as much for twice the price- even this is usually cheaper than going straight for the quality products. It discusses what ultracal is. Plaster of Paris is gypsum plaster that is made from a fine white powder that hardens when it is moistened and dried. Ultracal can be used in a wide array of applications. Hydrocal vs Light weight Hydrocal vs Plaster of Paris and Ballast. Smooth out any bubbles that you can find using a skim coat of a watery mixture once it has completely dried. The first thing that you need to do is to prepare the mix. We hope to inspire you. The mixed consistency will vary depending on its use. It is 30 to 50 percent harder as compared to other casting plaster. Its stronger. We have found out that ultracal is harder and denser as compared to hydrocal. Hydrocal and ultracal are gypsum cement and both have different properties. The downside of Hydrocal is that it does not carve or take stains/washes very well. -Crandell Reply HHPATH56 Member since March 2007 947 posts Nasher Sculpture Center shared the video below on YouTube. You can use free water in the mold to have a higher drying temperature. What is hydrocal made of? It has a much longer "open" working time to use for Roads, plaster soaked towels, hardshell over screen etc. Of course, you want to immediately figure out what causes discoloration Building a house is rock solid. It would do so after priming. 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. It was a waste of time and money. Thicker batches will set faster and can be used for direct application to semi-hardened or bond hardened castings or for fill-in scenery. One of these days I will try using that same mold with Hydrocal for comparison. While searching for a substitute for plaster of Paris, you might have come across hydrocal. 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. like a sponge. Both are plaster but have their differences. manage your account online and more! Follow the instructions on the label on how to mix the hydrocal. I am happy with the detail.. and this is the best shot I can show you. Hydrocal White is versatile gypsum cement that is an excellent choice for making solid and hollow castings. Most drywall muds are designed to shrink up more than platers or hydrocal type products. 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. On the other hand, hydrocal is a casting plaster that does an excellent job when it comes to holding detail. Using the mold before it is not ready will result in bubbles formation in your casts. You should use some kind of tiles regardless of the type of plaster, ceramic or glass tiles. Repair your plaster walls with this DAP 25 lbs. The next step that you need to do is to measure the ingredients. I had mixed results with plaster of Paris, I assume because the various suppliers grades differ. We hope to inspire you. Always do your own research before making important decisions. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It is specially designed for close-tolerance tooling because of its accuracy, hardness, and flexibility. Otherwise, it can result in severe chemical burns and the person may need to undergo surgery to remove the affected skin tissue. 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. Hydrocal can take about 24 hours or more to cure depending on how thick it is made. Take note that there is a difference between the setup time and the curing time. However I've heard comments that it is to heavy. Mabye in more humid climates though. 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. I even took pics to see how much detail there was.. and how easy it was to pull Dental plaster out of the mold. I already had a two pound carton of Woodland Scenics Hydrocal Lite at $8.49. Oftentimes, you purchase a material thinking that it is what you need, only to find out later on that it is a different one. When hardened, it will permit removal of molds with "undercuts" whereas plaster of paris will break off detail. It's the same stuff that is used to make casts for broken bones etc.and it works just fine. 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. How do you prepare hydrocal? It provides a slightly better heat resistance as compared to pottery plaster with higher dry and wet strengths. Hydrocal is stronger than plaster but is as easy to use. Make sure that the hydrocal is fully dispersed in the water before mixing. Our supplier has the plaster in 99# bags. plaster should always be added to the water, not water to the plater. Aside from that, it is also weatherproof and scratch-resistant. 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. The average time that it takes for ultracal to set is about 25 to 35 minutes. Why?> When you're done.. and the plaster is dried to your bowl.. just add water.. look closely at the bow.. you'll see a thin film of plaster.. that just slides up and off the rim of the bow. I'd stick with the Hydrocal if I were you. Others are a mix of production offerings and ones created by myself or club members. To help you get started, we will discuss the differences between both materials below. You can keep the surface of the casteasy to scrape by lining with cellophane and filling with sand while it cures over the course of several days. We have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to. . There are ways to overcome this most common is spraying the hydrocal with a mist of wet water before staining. Ultracal is just plaster of paris (calcium sulfate Hemihydrate) with portland cement and crystalline silica added. I cut my teeth using p.o.p. Let it soak for one to two minutes. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. In this dehydrated state, it can be used as an ingredient in plaster. Bear in mind that when you pour a large amount of slurry directly on the mold, it results in slight densification of the cast. Member since January 2003; From: Ridgeville,South Carolina; 1,294 posts Hydrocal vs. Plaster of Paris. With a mold and plaster mix, anyone can replicate sculptures from antiquity, the Renaissance, or more modern . 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