I am interested in having a members discussion of the pro’s and con’s of using this material. From what I have been able to learn so far it sounds like a pretty versatile material. I live in an area where I have to do most of my purchasing on the internet. I already have a lot of Hydrocal from a previous layout but I am using foam as a layout base and I don’t think I’ll need the strength. I do intend to get some soon just to try it. Perhaps some of you out there could give me a “heads up” on this.
I have used Sculptamold for years on 3 layouts and 1 large module. I recommend it highly. Do a google search and you’ll be able to buy it directly from them, thats how I bought it the last time I needed some. I was able to but small bags from my local Crafts n’ Stuff but they were out of it more often than they had it and I just got tried of waiting. Buy some you’ll love it.
Great stuff. I use it over plaster cloth to give a textured base for scenicing. Makes excellent knolls, ridges, valleys, you name it. Light weight and very easy to use. You can also make rocks - nowhere near as good as plaster molds but fine for small rocks and to fill in that space between molded rocks. Takes paint very well. Takes rock stain good but requires several applications to get it to match the plaster rocks. Good for non-paved roads. The list goes on. I find it much better than hydrocal.
Ron K.
I agree. Great stuff! However, I have found on occasion that if you put down too much at a time, it takes longer to dry (set) and often goes moldy. If this occurs, just add a bit of Clorox (US) or Javex (Canada) to the water and that’ll take care of the mold.
Is Sculptamold the same stuff as Gypsolite or Scenic Express Mold-a-Scene? They all seem to be used the same way, but what are the differences between them?
Try It! You’ll LOVE It! Makes some of the best base I have ever seen. Easy to work with. Forgiving. Takes paint well. Really gives you a natural looking ground.
Do NOT however, make rock castings out of it. Rocks require a really watered down paint to color naturally. The Sculptamold Rocks will start too lose their shape and definitions when adding lots of water or paint to it.
Try painting it with Kilz Acrylic Primer it will seal them and give a surface to stain. The white primer surface stains better than the original material. I tried it on ceiling tile rockfaces and it solved the melting problem the ceiling tiles have.
Primered ceiling tile rocks keep their shape when repeatedly stained.
Yes, Sculptamold is great. If you mix it with your base latex ground paint it will stay the same color.
Wow, those rocks there are ceiling tiles? That is honestly the best ceiling tile rock formations I have seen - usually they look like, well, broken ceiling tiles. That looks like rocks. Great job. What’s your secret? The Kilz?
