Extra Crispy | 24 May 2016 6:32 a.m. PST |
I have some plastic packaging that I want to turn into terrain. I was thinking filling it with something would strengthen it. But it has to be pretty cheap. I don't think plaster would "stick" and is too brittle anyway. Resin is expensive and a paint to deal with. Is there a cheap, ready to pour, substance that would work for this purpose? |
Pictors Studio | 24 May 2016 6:38 a.m. PST |
Expanding insulation foam or Durham's Water Putty. |
tshryock | 24 May 2016 7:17 a.m. PST |
Depends on what kind of plaster you are talking about. Plaster of Paris is pretty brittle, but something like Durabond 90 (available at Home Depot and other places) is much harder. Also, any type of dental plaster is very strong, but is typically a special order item from an online shop. And are you talking about just filling the "void" in the plastic? If so, you might be able to use it more like a mold and make multiple plaster copies. |
PrivateSnafu | 24 May 2016 7:22 a.m. PST |
How about about some white glue and gauze? Poor mans fiberglass. |
MajorB | 24 May 2016 7:43 a.m. PST |
I have some plastic packaging that I want to turn into terrain. I was thinking filling it with something would strengthen it. Why would plastic packaging need strengthening? |
martin goddard | 24 May 2016 8:25 a.m. PST |
I would advise against cement. dangerous stuff martin
|
capncarp | 24 May 2016 8:32 a.m. PST |
Major B, if it's what I think the OP is talking about, the material is vacuformed thin, even flimsy, plastic, with great form but little structural strength. If this is the case, plaster will be very heavy and fragile, as said before. Expanding foam may overfill snd distort the piece, and epoxy/Durabond is indeed expensive and may have curing issues. I'm thinking a thin inner coating of papier-mache' might be a messy, but workable solution. |
Extra Crispy | 24 May 2016 8:45 a.m. PST |
Yes these are things like takeout containers. Flimsy but the shapes are great. I'll look at Durobond 90 first… |
Thomas O | 24 May 2016 9:26 a.m. PST |
Expanding foam, but get the low expanding type. |
Rubber Suit Theatre | 24 May 2016 11:02 a.m. PST |
Paper mache would hold the form and be light enough to not crush the plastic shell. |
normsmith | 24 May 2016 11:19 a.m. PST |
Hot glue gun and lolly sticks or a balsa wood sub-frame |
abelp01 | 24 May 2016 11:52 a.m. PST |
Rubber suit theatre has the same idea as I. I'd try some "celluclay" brand, mix it with a small amount of white glue for stability. It's fairly inexpensive stuff and a regular brick goes a looong way. |
cfielitz | 24 May 2016 1:02 p.m. PST |
I wade up balls of aluminum foil. Mix up some Durham's Water Putty, pour a layer in, drop in the balls, and let dry. Then mix up more, pack in some smaller balls and pour the putty in, filling it up to the top. |
phssthpok | 24 May 2016 1:56 p.m. PST |
I tried the expanding foam once (left over from insulation repair) and it deformed the cookie packaging. The celluclay idea would probably be better. |
10mm Wargaming | 24 May 2016 4:19 p.m. PST |
Definitely use expanding foam I've been using it to make trenches works a treat you only need trim it afer its expanded Take care Andy |
javelin98 | 24 May 2016 4:22 p.m. PST |
Expanding foam is excellent for that purpose, just don't overfill it. It expands, you know. |
Borathan | 24 May 2016 8:07 p.m. PST |
If you use foam, a very good idea is to put the item you're filling in sand around the edges as a temporary reinforcement and to make sure it's not leaking. |
HobbyDr | 25 May 2016 5:35 a.m. PST |
Make a cross-hatch of styrene (or foam core) to support the top, then glue the bottom edge to a piece of styrene. If the package is not too large, you may be able to forgo the internal brace. It will be surprisingly strong. Don |
javelin98 | 26 May 2016 2:06 p.m. PST |
You could probably even take Don's suggestion and use cardboard or Corflute board (which is what campaign signs are made out of). Strong and lightweight! |