lanscaping

[Anonymous]

what is plaster cloth and what is its purpose for

[Anonymous]

what is plaster cloth and what is its purpose for

[nickl02]

Plaster cloth is a method of creating scenery in which paper towel is dipped into plaster and put over a shell of courogated cardboard to create a mountain or tunnel that feels like real rock.

[nickl02]

Plaster cloth is a method of creating scenery in which paper towel is dipped into plaster and put over a shell of courogated cardboard to create a mountain or tunnel that feels like real rock.

[Anonymous]

Plaster cloth is (usually) gauze that is impregnated with dry Hydrocal or another plaster. To use it, you cut it in strips or pieces of a workable size and soak them in in a bowl or tray of warm water for several seconds. Then apply the cloth to your terrrain shape. (I like to smooth each piece with my fingers to help "distribute" the plaster more evenly across the cloth.) Typically, it will be hardened in less than 30 minutes.

Plaster cloth has the advantage over soaking paper towels in soupy Hydrocal in that it is much cleaner and easier to work with. There is relatively little mess to clean up afterward. I have used it for several years and much prefer it to the older, messier method of hardshell construction.

Although there are several brands of plaster cloth available, all of them work pretty much the same. It's available from Activa ("Rigid Wrap") as well as Woodland Scenics, Scenic Express, and others. It's also available in bulk rolls from medical supply houses.

[Anonymous]

Plaster cloth is (usually) gauze that is impregnated with dry Hydrocal or another plaster. To use it, you cut it in strips or pieces of a workable size and soak them in in a bowl or tray of warm water for several seconds. Then apply the cloth to your terrrain shape. (I like to smooth each piece with my fingers to help "distribute" the plaster more evenly across the cloth.) Typically, it will be hardened in less than 30 minutes.

Plaster cloth has the advantage over soaking paper towels in soupy Hydrocal in that it is much cleaner and easier to work with. There is relatively little mess to clean up afterward. I have used it for several years and much prefer it to the older, messier method of hardshell construction.

Although there are several brands of plaster cloth available, all of them work pretty much the same. It's available from Activa ("Rigid Wrap") as well as Woodland Scenics, Scenic Express, and others. It's also available in bulk rolls from medical supply houses.

[BR60103]

If you get the medical form of plaster cloth, be warned that it is designed for fast application to make plaster casts for broken bones. I think it has something like plaster of paris in it. It sets too fast to be used for scenery except very basic draping.

[BR60103]

If you get the medical form of plaster cloth, be warned that it is designed for fast application to make plaster casts for broken bones. I think it has something like plaster of paris in it. It sets too fast to be used for scenery except very basic draping.

[Anonymous]

I don't have access to my catalogs at the moment, but I know Woodland Scenics offers plaster-impregnated gauze wrap (one brand name I've seen is Rigid Wrap). It literally is the gauze doctors use to make casts for broken bones. It's a great, very neat and clean, way to make the base for your scenery. Start out with the basic form (Styrofoam, crumpled paper towels, a grid of cardboard strips). Cut the gauze strips into manageable lengths (maybe 12 to 18 inches), dip it in a bowl or bucket of warm water, and lay it out over the basic form. It's a good idea to use your fingers to smooth out the strips and spread the plaster from the gauze (covers the mesh of the gauze). Let it set up overnight (probably an hour is plenty) and you'll have a thin, white covering over your ground forms. Next step is to spread thin plaster over this with a paintbrush (more than one coat if you'd like). When this dries you'll have a nice, firm hard shell. Paint it, sprinkle on ground cover, spray it with diluted white glue, and you're done. Nothin' to it. Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

[Anonymous]

I don't have access to my catalogs at the moment, but I know Woodland Scenics offers plaster-impregnated gauze wrap (one brand name I've seen is Rigid Wrap). It literally is the gauze doctors use to make casts for broken bones. It's a great, very neat and clean, way to make the base for your scenery. Start out with the basic form (Styrofoam, crumpled paper towels, a grid of cardboard strips). Cut the gauze strips into manageable lengths (maybe 12 to 18 inches), dip it in a bowl or bucket of warm water, and lay it out over the basic form. It's a good idea to use your fingers to smooth out the strips and spread the plaster from the gauze (covers the mesh of the gauze). Let it set up overnight (probably an hour is plenty) and you'll have a thin, white covering over your ground forms. Next step is to spread thin plaster over this with a paintbrush (more than one coat if you'd like). When this dries you'll have a nice, firm hard shell. Paint it, sprinkle on ground cover, spray it with diluted white glue, and you're done. Nothin' to it. Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rchristianson

....Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

That's rather absolute, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rchristianson

....Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

That's rather absolute, isn't it?

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by billkamery

QUOTE: Originally posted by rchristianson

....Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

That's rather absolute, isn't it?

I guess if one wants to avoid the hazzards of dripping plaster over things one doesn't want plaster dripped over, it absolutely might be![:)] I was wondering if there might be an advantage to draping the plaster cloth over its intended site, and misting it down well with water? Have any of you tried that?

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by billkamery

QUOTE: Originally posted by rchristianson

....Plaster gauze is the only way to go!

That's rather absolute, isn't it?

I guess if one wants to avoid the hazzards of dripping plaster over things one doesn't want plaster dripped over, it absolutely might be![:)] I was wondering if there might be an advantage to draping the plaster cloth over its intended site, and misting it down well with water? Have any of you tried that?

[Anonymous]

I have used it and soaking it first is better as the water is sure to get everywhere on both sides. Some have used sprays, but it really isn't that big a deal to dip in water, leave it for about 10 seconds, then drape it. It also helps to kind of form it with your fingers. I usually find one layer to thin, so being the cheap guy I am, I then paint it with hydrocal or plaster of paris depending on which bag is closest at the time.

[Anonymous]

I have used it and soaking it first is better as the water is sure to get everywhere on both sides. Some have used sprays, but it really isn't that big a deal to dip in water, leave it for about 10 seconds, then drape it. It also helps to kind of form it with your fingers. I usually find one layer to thin, so being the cheap guy I am, I then paint it with hydrocal or plaster of paris depending on which bag is closest at the time.

[Anonymous]

I too really like plaster cloth for landscaping. In my layout, there is a mountanious region with skiers etc. and all have been built from plaster cloth. I use newspaper a lot to form the general shapes I want, I have also used wire gauze. The paper is best if you have things you must build around like, foundations for ski lifts or if you have made a rock wall for climbers. The point is to just let your imagination do the work for you and have fun.

[Anonymous]

I too really like plaster cloth for landscaping. In my layout, there is a mountanious region with skiers etc. and all have been built from plaster cloth. I use newspaper a lot to form the general shapes I want, I have also used wire gauze. The paper is best if you have things you must build around like, foundations for ski lifts or if you have made a rock wall for climbers. The point is to just let your imagination do the work for you and have fun.