I sat down last night and mixed my very first batch of sculptamold. The mix itself had large lumps in it (about 1/4"x1/8" for the very largest) that were composed of not setup plaster but what looked like shredded cardboard. Thinking this was by design I proceeded to add the water to the mixture and mix it, but the lumps had to be ground up against the side of the mixing container with a spatula in order to let the water seep into them. In the end (I had lined the bowel with a plastic bag) I had to lift out the plastic bag and kneed it with my hands to work out most of the lumps. Then I had to apply the sculptamold by hand in order to smooth it and squish the remaining lumps. I know that this stuff is not meant to act like plaster, but is it supposed to have lumps in it? I was afraid that if they stayed in the mix that when the terrain dried the lumps would weaken and cause the terrain to easily chip away, or crack. Finally, the question: Does this sound correct for this stuff, or do I have an old or bad batch of sculptamold? If I had left the lumps alone would they absorb enough moisture from the sorounding mix to set the plaster? Thanks,
That's the stuff. I like using it because of the lumps! It is very rare to find perfectly smooth hillsides, and the lumps add character to the terrain. I really like using it in latex rock molds too. I force the stuff into the mold and once it has thickened up for a few minutes, I can bend the casting around corners, outcroppings, etc. I leave it in the latex, in place on the layout for another several minutes and then peel off the latex. I soak the mold in a bucket of warm water, and the residue comes right off the mold. Great stuff.
Thanks Ed, It is nice to know the lumps are supposed to be there and that they won't affect the stability of the compound. Like you say, they do leave a lumpy surface suitable for ground, but it is easily smoothed over for rock faces and cleared areas.
Yes. What "Ed said". Lumps and Sculptamold go hand in hand. I use Sculptamold for untouched terrain, etc. My standard is the plaster cloth basen with the sculptamold or whatever on top. Whenever I want a smooth finish, I lightly coat the dried layers of plastercloth w/ casting plaster such as Hydrocal, and then rub it smooth w/ a damp cloth. But yes. Expect the lumps in Sculptamold. -Kitbash
