I used plaster cloth on my risers and inclines. I want to put a thin coat of plaster/putty on the plaster cloth,sand it then paint it and add grass and stuff.I tried the mixing method with hydrocal and i was not satsified with it. I want something that i can use with no mixing required,right out of the can. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance.
I use plain old ordinary “drywall mud”. Not spackle. Not drywall patch. I mean the same stuff drywall guys buy in 5 gallon buckets. Fair warning - expect a little shrinkage as it dries.
Brad
I use Gypsolite. It does have to be mixed, but the end product is gritty, not smooth like Hydrocal or drywall materials. The resulting texture is much more satisfying to my eye for a “natural” surface.
Well, I use Sculptamold, a mixture of plaster, recycled newspaper, and white glue. But that requires mixing.
Then again, I personally think your “no mixing” requirement is a little extreme. Rules out too many great options. Not sure where you went wrong with hydrocal, but that’s pretty hard to do.
My son and I built his layout with plaster cloth, then mixed hydrocal per the package directions, poured it on, and spread it with our fingers. Worked like a charm.
I have heard that “old” hydrocal may lose quality. Is there a chance that this could have happened? Small, low volume hobby shop or you have had it quite awhile could both (or a combination) could mean it has been around for quite awhile.
Might try a new batch and see if it works any better.
I have only used plaster of paris and Sculptamold. Liked both, though I did find a little difference.
Good luck,
Richard
I bought a new batch of hydrocal and am going to try it again.Thanks for the answers.
Old hydrocal, if I’m not mistaken, refers to stuff which is not kept in an airtight container, and can thus absorb moisture from the air.
Make sure you mix the proportions on the package (usually 1.25 parts water to one part plaster, but check yours). The quality of hydrocal is very sensitive to the amount of water used. Too much and it ends up crumbly.
CT makes a good point. Various “mixes/ batches” and age (moisture absorbtion) can affect the amout of water required and the stability of the cured product. Fresh, quality Hydrocal can be mixed to a thick cream like consistancy and will cure fine. Other plasters/ gypsum products POP, Gypsolite, Unical or Durabond seem to work far better when mixed using far less water (managable paste like consistancy).
In my club setting where we can tend to go long periods before using the “plasters” Hydrocal and Unical, I have found that proper storage is critical. We buy Hydrcal in bulk 99# bags. I will repackage into smaller more useable quantities. Coffee can amounts are placed into baggies and sealed and stored in a sealed 5 gallon pail. This will allow the plaster to “stay fresh” for well over a year. It is a cleaner way to use and you can grab as much as needed for each project. You don’t end up w/ ripped bags placed in trash bags or the plaster dumped into containers that if left open will absorb moisture or otherwise be contaminated.