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PermaScene

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  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 327 posts
Posted by AEP528 on Monday, January 30, 2023 1:48 PM

BigDaddy

 

 
drgwcs
a cupful of bleach

 

  why the bleach?

 

 

 

 

Mixes like Ground Goop tended to use paper mache or other organic cellulose products (like Sculptamold). Organic materials that stay damp for long periods of time tend to grow at least mildew on them, if not mold, so need something mixed in to prevent the growth. The recipes I have seen call for a capful (not cupful) of liquid Lysol disinfectant.
Did a little online searching but couldn't find the Permascene contents beyond vermiculite and plaster, so I can't say if it did contain any cellulose.
  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Monday, January 30, 2023 10:41 AM

drgwcs
a cupful of bleach

  why the bleach?

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Monday, January 30, 2023 7:05 AM

HO-Velo

I was pretty jazzed about my first crack at rolling scenery with the PermaScene terrain, so my enthusiasm was only slightly dampened when a visitor remarked about the "oatmeal hills".

Oh boy, that had to hurt. Laugh

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Monday, January 30, 2023 6:19 AM

drgwcs

Permascene was one of the main components in the original formula of ground goop. I have used it a fair amount. Mix equal amounts of permascene and sculptamold add in white glue and a bottle of craft glue along with a cupful of bleach. I have done it without the permascene but it does not work as well. It lacks some of the texture and takes longer to dry. 

 

Perfect.  Thanks.

Rick

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 569 posts
Posted by drgwcs on Monday, January 30, 2023 12:04 AM

Permascene was one of the main components in the original formula of ground goop. I have used it a fair amount. Mix equal amounts of permascene and sculptamold add in white glue and a bottle of craft glue along with a cupful of bleach. I have done it without the permascene but it does not work as well. It lacks some of the texture and takes longer to dry. 

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Sunday, January 29, 2023 7:38 PM

I had already decided that I wasn't going to use the glitter "grass" that was in the box also, so unless I figure out how to work in a pile of oatmeal I won't be using this either.  

Thanks for the info. 

Rick

  • Member since
    November 2007
  • From: California
  • 2,388 posts
Posted by HO-Velo on Sunday, January 29, 2023 5:15 PM

My recollection of PermaScene in the early 80s was buying it in a box similar in size and shape to pancake or waffle mix.  The stuff dried to a tannish color with a somewhat coarse texture.  I was pretty jazzed about my first crack at rolling scenery with the PermaScene terrain, so my enthusiasm was only slightly dampened when a visitor remarked about the "oatmeal hills".

Regards, Peter   

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
Posted by hbgatsf on Sunday, January 29, 2023 2:00 PM

Thanks for the heads up.  I'll make a test batch before committing to using it. 

Rick

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, January 29, 2023 1:20 PM

I've had a few "vintage" bags of PermaScene and as Big Daddy states, it didn't really set up too well and made a mess.

For a substitute there's a product plasterers use called Gypsolite that is a lightweight "brown-coat" that, I believe, would make a good scenery base. I've also heard of crumbling up, then soaking old, fibrous ceiling tiles into the mix for more texture.

https://www.goldbondbuilding.com/products/conventional-plaster/gypsolite-plaster

Was it Lou Sassi that came up with the Ground Goop recipe?

https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/t/114748.aspx

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, January 29, 2023 8:13 AM

PermaScene has plaster in it so it may or may not be good.  I'd whip up a batch and make sure it hardens.  Mine took days to fully dry out.   David Popp trowels it on carved foam landscaping.  I used it in home made molds to cast rock. 

You can mix it with cheap craft paint to give it color.  Everything you see here is PermaScene except the water.  At normal viewing distance, those pinholes aren't noticeable.

Wider view, early experimentation with water color.

Experiment with paint washes

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    February 2017
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
  • 660 posts
PermaScene
Posted by hbgatsf on Sunday, January 29, 2023 6:20 AM

I was going through a box of stuff that was given to me 20 years ago and found an  unopened box of PermaScene.  I searched around and found out what it is but I didn't find any pictures of scenery where it had been used.

It has some sentimental value to me so I would like to work it in someplace if I can.  If anyone has experience with it can you tell me what a good application would be?

Rick

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