I have a couple of questions about plastering.

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

  1. What kind of plaster to use?

  2. Waht kind of paper should I use with the plaster? (paper towels? newspaper?)

2

I trien the plaster and paper method and was inept at it, could not get the results to suit me.

I use screen wire (Alum type) twist and wrinkel it to shape my mountain type road, then spray adhesive on the back side, apply saran wrap on the back side, then stapel and hot glue the screen in place, dulute the patching plaster (wallboard type) and where i need streinght I apply 2,3, coats.

The saran wrap keeps this method from being messey, as the plaster will drip through the screen a bit if not applied.
I’m sure you will get replys to your type of plastering method, just my 2 cents…John

3

We were just making some mountains using the Woodland Scenics kit thingy they sell - basically just some materials and instructions for newbies (i.e. me) fir making mountains…

They had you cut out some templates to tack to the corner of the layout (mountain is in the corner) of the side profile of the mountain, and then cut a tunnel out of cardboard and but it inside the “mountain”… Then they used newspaper balls and that plaster cloth roll stuff to make the insides and the shell of the mountain. I put wax paper over my track to keep any potential drips off the track… It was a pretty easy method to build up a rather large size mountain.

4

I use hydrocal that I buy at the local lumber yard in big bags (not the Woodland scenics packages - too much $$$$). I use hydrocal because it is very strong–harder and stronger than joint compound, plaster of paris etc… I use any old paper towels that I can find on special and apply it all over a wire screen armature. I use two coats of palster soaked towels as the base for my scenery. There are other methods but I like a bullet proof shell for the base. If a visitor bumps or leans on this type of shell there is no damage (except maybe a skinned elbow)…For an example of my plaster work, click on the link below my name…

5

Everything you wanted to know about PLASTER, but not afraid to ask.
There are different types of plaster with different properties like setting time and hardness. Everybody has a preference for the type of plaster they like to use, so no single plaster will be recommended.
Heavy duty paper towels or paper hand towels is best for hard shell.

Joe Fugate uses a cement / plaster “mix”. I hope he will post his formula, because I couldn’t find that info.