Yes, I think a lot depends on how you kept the products. Try them out in a smaller area before moving to something larger. Even latext paint can dry out or fade. The previous owner kept all of them in a storage closet. I adapted that with similar MR products.
John-NYBWI've noticed discolorization in scenery that I laid down years ago, particularly grass areas. What was green when I laid it down now has a brown tint. Needs a rehab.
Have you tried vaccumming? Might just be years of dust.
Has anyone tried liquid dye on aged scenery?
My favorite local hobby shop in the early '90s, when I was in HO scale, used to sell Hydrocal in medium-sized paper bags. I bought one bag in 1993.I still have a percentage of that original bag, stored in a large Ziploc freezer bag with the air squeezed out before sealing, and that bag was stored in a shoebox. That store is now long gone, and I now model in N scale, but, nearly 30 years later, I still use that Hydrocal for rock molds, and it still works perfectly fine. Keep it in an airtight container, in a cool, dark, dry place and it'll last forever.For powdery material like Plaster, Hydrocal, etc - Humidity and moisture is your enemy. Granted, I live in a dry California climate, so if you live in a more humid part of the country, I don't think you'll enjoy the same results with regard to shelf life.
I used to buy the big tubs of sunflower seeds from Sam's Club. The lids were snap-on like the 5-gallon tubs of paint we used on work sites. I've stored plaster of Paris inside a plastic bag, inside the tub for 3-4 years without any adverse effects.
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
The only old material I have used for scenery was an open bag of Sculptamold I had for years. It was perfectly fine.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Plaster of Paris is my go-to. I agree that how it's stored is a factor in its shelf-life. Mine stays in the insulated and finished train room in the basement. I've had it for about two years and no issues.
John-NYBW I've noticed discolorization in scenery that I laid down years ago, particularly grass areas. What was green when I laid it down now has a brown tint. Needs a rehab.
I've noticed discolorization in scenery that I laid down years ago, particularly grass areas. What was green when I laid it down now has a brown tint. Needs a rehab.
Can't remember the issue but a 90s MR covered recoloring materials that had turned brown.
Thank you all for the replies. Sounds like I should be OK with the Sculptamold and Gypsolite, maybe some experimenting with the more plaster based products.
Thanks again,
Richard
Naw, all you need to do is get out the lawn sprinkler and give it a good soaking. Of course, that'll just make it grow, so you'll have to get the lawnmower out, too.
I haven't yet seen too much fading of scenic materials, which is often caused by fluorescent lighting that's not covered with a semi-clear plastic material which supposedly filters out the portion which causes fading.I do have uncovered fluorescents for the lower level of part of my layout, but will be replacing them with LED bulbs. The fluorescents over the rest of the layout are shielded.
Wayne
I've had a jar of Hydrocal go bad after several years. It was mostly gone anyway, so it was almost time for more. I could mix it and cast with it, but the castings were weak, almost spongy, and by no means hard. I kept it in the basement, comfortable but not as nice as my air-conditioned train room.
I have had no problems with Gypsolite, but I really only use that as a thin ground covering, mixed like a slurry, to give texture. I don't cast with it.
I do some rock casting with Bragdon foam. This is a two-part liquid that is only mixed as used. I am careful to keep the screw threads on the bottles and the jar tops clean. I've had bottles for years and they are fresh and good as new whenever I open them.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I have a big tub of Plaster of Paris that I haven't used for several years. I'm about to need it. I'll find out soon if it is still good.
Hydracal was like new, start to finish, my old batch came from a barrel at a train club, who knows how long it was there before I got it.
Something I never though of. Does it loose it's bonding ability over time in storage? Even if it stays dry and powder. Creating a weaker mix when used. shane
A pessimist sees a dark tunnel
An optimist sees the light at the end of the tunnel
A realist sees a frieght train
An engineer sees three idiots standing on the tracks stairing blankly in space
I've run to the aging problem with Hydrocal. However Sculptamold doesn't seem to have that problem. I have had many a bad that I haven't used all at once keep without a problem.
I actually like the Sculptamold better as you don't have to be as precise with the ratios of materials. All of my rockwork on my layouit is Sculptamold. I will admit that my river and lakebeds also have some plain old ground up newsprint as the base.
Depends on how they are stored, recently had to buy more Hydracal as I was running out but the old stuff was 15 years old and no problem sealed in a plastic container with screw on lid.
As I get closer to starting work on benchwork and the new layout itself, I've been thinking about the leftover materials I have from my first little layout, over 10 years ago. I have read/heard that Plaster of Paris does not last too long in the box once opened. I was wondering about whether Sculptamold and Gypsolite have the same problems? My Sculptamold is in the original bag, opened but with the bag twisted and tied shut. The large bag of Gypsolite has never been opened.
Anyone have any experience keeping these products over a long period of time?
Thank you,