"proper Hydrocal White hardness" Topic
6 Posts
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warhawkwind  | 10 May 2015 6:52 a.m. PST |
Did I get the wrong Hydrocal? I thought this stuff was going to be nearly rock hard, but when its all dried, I pick it up and get chalk all over my hands. I can even scratch it a bit with my fingernail. Am I not mixing it right? Any and all help appreciated, thanx. |
| JasonAfrika | 10 May 2015 8:50 a.m. PST |
Sounds like you added too much water…also, don't expect it to be as hard as marble. You could bake it at a low temp to get the water out but it will then become very brittle. That's just how Hydrocal is. Quick, cheap, and easy but not ideal. |
 StoneMtnMinis  | 10 May 2015 8:55 a.m. PST |
You can add white glue to it when you are mixing it and that will add additional strength, but it is not indestructible in any case. |
 Bobgnar | 10 May 2015 10:39 a.m. PST |
I use this, link and ditto to StoneMtMinis for adding some white glue, I also add some paint, black to get gray material so when it is scratched, there is no white to show through. |
| JezEger | 10 May 2015 11:19 a.m. PST |
link
Good resource for various plaster reviews. It does sound like your mix was off, or maybe just a bad batch. |
| warhawkwind | 10 May 2015 12:20 p.m. PST |
I'm mixing it at 3 parts Hydrocal White to 1 part water. I dont have a scale. I mix it for several minutes until it starts to stiffen just a bit. Thanx all, and that link is super JezEger, thank you. |
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