I recently read somewhere that you can take discarded pieces of celotex, homasote or ceiling tiles and soak them in water and they become a mush that can be used as a medium for scenery. Then I forgot where I saw it and I don’t remember what you have to mix with it (the mush) to get it to harden to a workable medium. Seems like it was white glue or casting plaster----anybody ever hear of this and would you share what you know?
Thanks, Steve
Sorry, I must have missed this one, no idea.
I use Kaytee Total Comfort Critter Bedding, a shredded paper product that is sold in pet stores, or AlphaPet Aspen Bedding, which is shredded wood, mixed into Casting Plaster or powdered Drywall Compound. Sometimes I also mix in sand, dirt, or dry mortar mix to achieve the desired texture.
Thanks for the responce. I’m in the process of replacing some panels in the dropped ceiling of my train room. (layout not started) I notice a difference in weight and consistincy of the old old and new panels so I’m going to try separate batchs as a test and will report back. In the meantime, any other comments would be welcome. I’m thinking that the mixture should be easy to carve and it might soak up some noise–along those thoughts how about matt medium as a binder? 'spose that would ever dry out? Thanks, Steve
How old is the ceiling that you’re replacing? It may contain asbestos! Beware of using old ceiling tile that may have been made before asbestos became a known carcinogen.
Those panels can also be broken into strips and stacked on top of each other to make rock strata and shale outcroppings. (watch for asphestos)
There’s a product called Sculptimold that is plaster based and already has chunks of paper fiber mixed in it to give a texture. It’s fairly cheap too.
Once you get them to the “mush” state, you could try adding latex paint as a binder. I use Celluclay mixed with latex paint as a scenery medium in some places. (It is available in art stores.)