Hydrocal: Acquiring, casting, painting, staining, curing

[ranny9]

Here's another of my offerings for a "sticky thread". I have mentioned elsewhere, of my experiments as to whether to use Plaster of Paris, or Hydrocal (Ultra 30) for my rock castings. Plaster of Paris is cheap and can be gotten locally from hardware stores such as Lowe's, but I need to mail order the Hydrocal, my last batch being from Scenic Express. I like the look of Hydrocal when it takes washes of paint and ultimately A&I. On the other hand, Plaster of Paris seems to look "muddy" after washes of paint and drying. If Hydrocal can be gotten in larger batches other than the 6 pounder from Scenic Express, where do you guys and gals get it and what does it cost?

[S&S RR]

Here's another of my offerings for a "sticky thread". I have mentioned elsewhere, of my experiments as to whether to use Plaster of Paris, or Hydrocal (Ultra 30) for my rock castings. Plaster of Paris is cheap and can be gotten locally from hardware stores such as Lowe's, but I need to mail order the Hydrocal, my last batch being from Scenic Express. I like the look of Hydrocal when it takes washes of paint and ultimately A&I. On the other hand, Plaster of Paris seems to look "muddy". If Hydrocal can be gotten in larger batches other than the 6 pounder from Scenic Express, where do you guys and gals get it and what does it cost?

Randy


I purchased my plaster at a local wholesaler that supplied the molding industry here in the Detroit area.  I bought mine in 100 lb. bags.  - the material I used was called Number 1 Molding plaster.  It dries to a hardness very similar to the Hydrocal (Ultra 30) you are using now.  The place I bought it from had a $100 min. order and each 100 pound bag cost $35 dollars.  I found them by doing a internet search for Number 1 molding plaster.

[bparrish]

Randy. 

To keep common plaster paris from going muddy find a rattle can of the cheapest clear flat lacquer and blast away.   This seals the porosity that is endemic in soft plasters.  After that you can float any color washes you want.  My favorite gig is to go to a paint store with about eight baby food jars and ask for a half ounce of all of the earth tones.  From green, yellow and on to burnt sienna and raw umber. 

No one has ever asked for such a thing that they usually kick me out and don't charge me anything.

Then mix the various colors in water with a little alcohol. Or.  All alcohol.  Or. Lacquer thinner.  Play with it and find what works for you. 

Between each layer blast with more clear lacquer.   At the last float an A&I wash and you're done.  It's really fast and super easy.

See ya
Bob

[Mike Engler]

I bought mine in 100 lb. bags. 

I had to laugh when I saw this. When I first started in this hobby a hundred years ago Hydrocal only came in 100 pound bags. I've hated the stuff ever since I had to carry a bag up three flights of stairs to our club layout.

[ranny9]

Randy. 

To keep common plaster paris from going muddy find a rattle can of the cheapest clear flat lacquer and blast away.   This seals the porosity that is endemic in soft plasters.  After that you can float any color washes you want.  My favorite gig is to go to a paint store with about eight baby food jars and ask for a half ounce of all of the earth tones.  From green, yellow and on to burnt sienna and raw umber. 

No one has ever asked for such a thing that they usually kick me out and don't charge me anything.

Then mix the various colors in water with a little alcohol. Or.  All alcohol.  Or. Lacquer thinner.  Play with it and find what works for you. 

Between each layer blast with more clear lacquer.   At the last float an A&I wash and you're done.  It's really fast and super easy.

See ya
Bob

Bob, your posts are ALWAYS helpful. Thanks!

[ranny9]

Here's another of my offerings for a "sticky thread". I have mentioned elsewhere, of my experiments as to whether to use Plaster of Paris, or Hydrocal (Ultra 30) for my rock castings. Plaster of Paris is cheap and can be gotten locally from hardware stores such as Lowe's, but I need to mail order the Hydrocal, my last batch being from Scenic Express. I like the look of Hydrocal when it takes washes of paint and ultimately A&I. On the other hand, Plaster of Paris seems to look "muddy". If Hydrocal can be gotten in larger batches other than the 6 pounder from Scenic Express, where do you guys and gals get it and what does it cost?

Randy


I purchased my plaster at a local wholesaler that supplied the molding industry here in the Detroit area.  I bought mine in 100 lb. bags.  - the material I used was called Number 1 Molding plaster.  It dries to a hardness very similar to the Hydrocal (Ultra 30) you are using now.  The place I bought it from had a $100 min. order and each 100 pound bag cost $35 dollars.  I found them by doing a internet search for Number 1 molding plaster.

Thanks, John

[Mike Engler]

Sorry Randee, from now on I will only post "helpful" posts on your threads.   

[ranny9]

Sorry Randee, from now on I will only post "helpful" posts on your threads.   

Everyone's posts are helpful....MIKE

[S&S RR]

Sorry Randee, from now on I will only post "helpful" posts on your threads.   

Everyone's posts are helpful....

Especially Mike's!

[S&S RR]

I bought mine in 100 lb. bags. 

I had to laugh when I saw this. When I first started in this hobby a hundred years ago Hydrocal only came in 100 pound bags. I've hated the stuff ever since I had to carry a bag up three flights of stairs to our club layout.

I used a two wheel cart and a younger back to move my 100 lb. bags of plaster. A walkout basement was a plus. I buy the hydrocal I'm using now (for structures and small changes) in the 6 lb. containers.  Our rail gang did buy a few 100 lb. bags a few years back and split it up into more back friendly size containers.

[Janbouli]

25 Kilo is the max weight sacks can have now here in Europe, I remember as a kid working in the weekend with my dad , him building brick garages and walls , and I'd be mixing mortar  , hauling 50 Kilo sacks of cement and wheelbarrows of bricks.  Back then I weighed 80 kilos and hauled 50 kilo sacks , now I weigh 120 kilo and with a lot of effort can lift a 25 kilo sack 

[NEMMRRC]

Last time I saw hydrocal in bulk it was in a 50 lb bucket. It was bought direct from US Gypsum by some some guy at the local On30 club here in town.


Jaime