Sculptamold vs celluclay?

having not used sculptamold can't say the difference but can't you get the celluclay equivalent at the local news agency?

[edit] ok, straight form horse's mouth

Sculptamold: combines the best features of clay, plaster and papier mache, eliminating the disadvantages. In dry form, this white, non-toxic compound is quickly prepared by adding water. Sets in 30 minutes. It will cling to almost all clean surfaces, including glass, and does not shrink so it may be applied to an armature of any core without fear of cracking. finished pieces are very light-weight, strong and durable. May be carved, sanded and sawed.

Celluclay: The original grey Celluclay is a low cost, recycled paper medium which mix easily and mold quickly. They can be sanded, sawed, nailed and water proofed. Wet Celluclay can be added to areas already dried . And any unused mixed Celluclay can be stored for several days in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator. Celluclay adheres to almost any surface and can be combined with a variety of materials.

I've used both and personally prefer Sculptamold.

The major differences are: Celluclay has a very long working time and if you seal any leftovers in a plastic baggie and keep it in the fridge, it can be used for several days. Sculptamold has a limited working time (about 30 minutes) and cannot be stored. My experience is that Celluclay also takes longer to dry completely and has a tendancy to shrink (I've experienced major cracking issues), particularly in applications over 1/4" thick. Sculptamold generally does not shrink. I've packed a 6" square cube with Sculptamold and the sides dried perfectly straight.

Other than these differences, they're really quite similar as far as texture, appearance, and overall results are concerned.

Hope this helps.

Foster7155 wrote:

Other than these differences, they're really quite similar as far as texture, appearance, and overall results are concerned. Hope this helps.

 

Certainly does.

I can get Sculptamold locally without issue but as celluclay is touted as a model base builders best friend, I was gearing up to ordering the stuff even though it is twice as expensive as sculptamold.

cheers 

Mike 

Hey Mike,

I'd go with the Sculptamold since you can get it.Celluclay will shrink and curl up if there's not enough white glue mixed with it or if you get it too wet and it has to dry for a long time.

I like them both and have used both.It's the opposite with me.It's super easy for me to get Celluclay but I have to ship in sculptamold.

I've only used sculptamold, and it worked great. But I have stored it for a few days and used it, in plastic wrap in the fridge. Also works good for "groundwork"-ie mud- on vehicles. Looks like you've already made your decision, I think it's a good one.
-----------------------------------------------------Kevin

It certainly appears so!

I only build armour in 1:72 and am normally an aircraft builder so my base knowledge is a bit sparse. Normally I use "spak" filler or wall plaster patch compound but I cannot get decent track and wheel ruts into a base using this stuff so it is off to try something new!

I will go shopping next week (WASMEx 2007 this weekend) and buy a bag as at AU$19 for 1.5kg, it appears good value.

cheers

Mike

I use Celluclay extensively and the key is to use wedding lace veil to squeeze the excess water out of it, and you'lll never have a problem with shrinking or cracking.

Just mix it with a decent amount of white glue and acrylic paint (ground color) BEFORE you add the water! Add the water VERY LITTLE AT A TIME, and keep mixing. You can get it to like a thick paste, and in this form it will dry almost overnight. 

Well. I will give this sculptamold a go and see how it works.

Celluclay sounds like a worthy purchase a little later perhaps.

cheers

Mike 

 I use both,depending on what I want to achieve.  Celluclay for larger areas because its easier to spread,due to its long working time and Sculptamold for smaller areas due to its quick-drying capabilities. Sculptamold dries much harder,however. Plus its white,which is more easily pre-colored than the grey Celluclay. Be careful if you add acrylic paint to Sculpt as this seems to increase its cure rate,which is fast already.

                

 

 

     

Auntie Matter wrote:

I use both,depending on what I want to achieve.  Celluclay for larger areas because its easier to spread,due to its long working time and Sculptamold for smaller areas due to its quick-drying capabilities. Sculptamold dries much harder,however. Plus its white,which is more easily pre-colored than the grey Celluclay. Be careful if you add acrylic paint to Sculpt as this seems to increase its cure rate,which is fast already.

If you checked out my "DML Hetzer-base and figure finished!" post over in armor, you can see how I used Celluclay with acrylic paint added, and it tints with no trouble or problems at all. I have a photo tutorial on the building of the base. It might be back a page or two, but look it up if you're interested!

Oh believe me I have the thread bookmarked

As mentioned before, I use waller filler for my bases and this wrks really well. However I cannot impress track marks into the setting plaster with any degree of success. Slower setting paper mache type concoctions seem to be the way to achieve this, plus the excellent tips you have provided that me, the unwashed armor newbie coming over from winged things, find most useful.

Armed with this info and all the other help from everyone, I will give Sculptamold a go, plus order some Celluclay. Never hurts to have a varied supply of base materials.

Cheers

Mike 

 

 

STUG61 wrote:

Hey Mike, I'd go with the Sculptamold since you can get it.Celluclay will shrink and curl up if there's not enough white glue mixed with it or if you get it too wet and it has to dry for a long time. I like them both and have used both.It's the opposite with me.It's super easy for me to get Celluclay but I have to ship in sculptamold.

Also.. Important to seal your base (if it is wood) as celluclay will warp it over time.