I have a couple of question about plastering.

[CrossTrack Trains]

1. What kind of plaster to use?

2. Waht kind of paper should I use with the plaster? (paper towels? newspaper?)

[Anonymous]

Everything you wanted to know about PLASTER, but not afraid to ask.
There are different types of plaster with different properties like setting time and hardness. Everybody has a preference for the type of plaster they like to use, so no single plaster will be recommended.
Heavy duty paper towels or paper hand towels is best for hard shell.

Joe Fugate uses a cement / plaster "mix". Dave's post below has the info. Thanks Dave!

[dwRavenstar]

Joe Fugate's plaster mix is explained on page two of his current scenery primer.

"I use a special mix of patching plaster, portland cement, and vermiculite (powdered mica mineral). I like this mix because it's lightweight, has a natural gray color (as opposed to a bright white color) and it's kind of "rubbery" and a bit "fluffy", making it fairly easy to poke holes into with an awl. I like to use the awl for planting trees, because it's quicker than drilling holes, and it doesn't leave little plaster dust hills around the hole (more on tree planting later).

The mix also has a bit of a grain, which makes it nice for getting a "gritty rock" look if you're hand carving rock faces. I find the slight grit makes it easier to get convincing hand carved rocks in a pinch without using rock molds. More on this in a moment.

Here's the formula:
1 part portland cement
3 parts patching plaster
4 parts vemiculite (fine)

Make sure and use a fine gind of vermiculite (looks like coarse sand) or your scenery will be full of lumps and look more like "popcorn ceiling texture". Here's an internet link to fine vermiculite: http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/us/en/product/m11988/1

Mix this to a consisency of thick cake batter and then paint it on. You should have a working time of about 20 minutes."

At the moment it's found on page eight of this section of the forum.

Joe, hope you don't mind me quoting your writing in my reply.
[;)]

Dave (dwRavenstar)

[Anonymous]

Striving for the in ultimate lightweight layouts, my "plaster " is two-part urethane foam, spread thin over plastic & reinforced with fiberglas screening. Where rock cuts & outcroppings are required, I use DAP Lightweight Spackle. The rocks usually being the only critical place in plastering, the DAP spackle, straight out of the container, takes traditional coloring well. The foam contours are simply painted & covered with dirt.

A plus is that it is an easy method, covers acres of layout quickly and cleanup usually only takes a minute or two.

Wayne

Added: Are you aware you've posted the same question in two separate threads here?

[RedLeader]

I use plaster cloth. It's light, clean and strong. For hand carving rock, I use a mix of plaster, caolin and portland cement.