I am working on my first layout with my grandson. Tonight we tried using Sculptamold for the first time. I think I had expected it to be smoother, sort of like caulking, but it isn’t. I just want to be sure we are mixing and using it correctly. We are mixing approximately 2 parts SMold to 1 part water. When trying to spread and fill, it is lumpy. Is there a trick if you want it to be smooth? Something I read says you should be able to spread it like cake frosting, but it seems too dry and lumpy, even when we add more water. Would appreciate any tips regarding the use of this product in connection with construction of model rr scenery. Thanks in advance.
The times I’ve used sculptamold it has been pretty lumpy too. I found that if you really smooth it over a bunch of times after it’s laid down, it gets smoother, but not perfect. Keep in mind you’ll be putting ground cover over it, or some other material which will hide the lumps. And the ground is rarely perfectly flat, so in a way it’s more realistic that way.
I used Sculptamold recently and found that it helps to add extra water, but it’s really not suited for making very, very smooth surfaces–it’s good for rough treatments, though.
One trick I learned is USE YOUR HANDS. The more you work Sculptamold, the smoother it gets, and the more it does what you want–just the opposite of plaster! I used a pair of latex gloves (I don’t like getting my hands all gunky) and massaged the heck out of the Sculptamold, like working clay. It’s a unique material to work with, but when you squish it around enough it produces good results and is very forgiving.
I’ve used Sculptamold for virtually all the base terrain on my layout (applied over a roughed-in terrain of foamboard) and find it highly satisfactory as a realistic scenic base.
Firstly, be sure that the material is thoroughly mixed with the water. It takes a bit more time to mix properly than say plaster would. While it’s not going to end up perfectly “smooth”, it should not be really lumpy and no dry material should be evident. If you can’t mix out the lumps, add small amounts of additional water a VERY little at a time. A stiff consistancy like cake frosting is indeed correct but you should expect a certain amount of grainy texture to it. If it’s soupy, add a little more Scruptamold.
Whenever I use Sculptamold I replace 1/2 the water with a similar quantity of slightly thinned, dirt-color, water-based paint so the resulting terrain comes out already earth-colored. This will save you a painting step. Above all, avoid adding much more liquid than recommended or it will take the stuff forever to dry. I apply Sculptamold with various sized putty knives and even an small artist’s palette knife. Keeping a glass of water handy to dip the knives in from time to time will aid you in smoothing out the exposed top surface of your terrain.
Before going on to any further scenicking with dirt, ground foam, etc. make sure the Scultamold has fully dried. Depending on the thickness of the application and the humidity in the layout room, this may take from over night to a couple of days.