Best tool for Plastering/spackling?

Railroad guy, maybe? Thats me too.

Spackle and/or vinyl joint compound shrink and crack. Plus, not very economical. If its small you want, use good old Durhams Water Putty.

Pouring plaster over a mountain isn't going to be successful because of gravity, and way too much water involved. A much better way to go is to lay down strips of plaster impregnated (not my term) cloths or paper. I've used just about everything possible, heres the list:

Toiletpaper; the Sh*ts, instantly dissolves.

Newspaper: too slick, plaster doesn't soak in.

Brown paper bags:

Medical gauze on the 4" roll: great but really expensive.

Paper towel: pick the "Heftiest" or go steal some, the best is that Z-fold stuff from the gas station. Go buy gas and clean out the slot above the trashcan or go to the library and, er, go.

Make your basic mountain form from foam board, or crumpled up newspaper. Start laying the stuff on this way and that. It makes a really hard shell, pretty light weight.

Buy your plaster fresh only, not from the art store. Exposure to moisture ruins it. You'll know the difference if you ever compare the 1 lb bag you bought at the art store to the 20 lb bag you bought at the statuary shop. The latter will smell like gypsum, be soft and fluffy and set like a demon in about 5 minutes, giving off all kinds of heat. And not cost much more than the little bag. Store it in 1 Gallon ziplocks. Might take 3 or 4.

I've built big chunks of California over the years in 1/160. All of the above I learned from a few good modelers who've been published in various Kalmbach publications.

To answer your question, smooth the plaster out with your hands (in latex gloves). Paint it a flat neutral ground color like beige, or red if you're the Doog, before it gets hard. Throw on a layer of texture on the wet paint plaster, I use fine ground foam in a similar color. All over. It's a busy thirty minutes.

The mountain is about 4 fet long, a foot high. I did use plaster before, and I poured it, but the part I did was just a shallow grade. This has steep sides. I covered it with PLaster soaked paper towels already. I guess I should just mix a bunch of plaster and spread it out. The stuff I'm using isa a few years old, so I may have to get new stuff. It hardens so quick, and like a rock. You can't sand it or anything. I've been referencing the book "Railroad scenery" by Frary. It did great the first time. Maybe I'll just do it the same way.

 

Thanks for the help

bondoman wrote:

Railroad guy, maybe? Thats me too. Spackle and/or vinyl joint compound shrink and crack. Plus, not very economical. If its small you want, use good old Durhams Water Putty. Pouring plaster over a mountain isn't going to be successful because of gravity, and way too much water involved. A much better way to go is to lay down strips of plaster impregnated (not my term) cloths or paper. I've used just about everything possible, heres the list: Toiletpaper; the Sh*ts, instantly dissolves. Newspaper: too slick, plaster doesn't soak in. Brown paper bags: Medical gauze on the 4" roll: great but really expensive. Paper towel: pick the "Heftiest" or go steal some, the best is that Z-fold stuff from the gas station. Go buy gas and clean out the slot above the trashcan or go to the library and, er, go. Make your basic mountain form from foam board, or crumpled up newspaper. Start laying the stuff on this way and that. It makes a really hard shell, pretty light weight. Buy your plaster fresh only, not from the art store. Exposure to moisture ruins it. You'll know the difference if you ever compare the 1 lb bag you bought at the art store to the 20 lb bag you bought at the statuary shop. The latter will smell like gypsum, be soft and fluffy and set like a demon in about 5 minutes, giving off all kinds of heat. And not cost much more than the little bag. Store it in 1 Gallon ziplocks. Might take 3 or 4. I've built big chunks of California over the years in 1/160. All of the above I learned from a few good modelers who've been published in various Kalmbach publications. To answer your question, smooth the plaster out with your hands (in latex gloves). Paint it a flat neutral ground color like beige, or red if you're the Doog, before it gets hard. Throw on a layer of texture on the wet paint plaster, I use fine ground foam in a similar color. All over. It's a busy thirty minutes.

Sorry its a little off topic, but bondo do you have any pics of your layout? I also do N scale and would be interested in seeing your layout.

Oh also are you a member of nscale.net?

Belcher- I'm curious to see some WIP shots of what you're doing. Got any?

Steve

 

 

 

Deputy_Brad wrote:

bondoman wrote: Railroad guy, maybe? Thats me too. Spackle and/or vinyl joint compound shrink and crack. Plus, not very economical. If its small you want, use good old Durhams Water Putty. Pouring plaster over a mountain isn't going to be successful because of gravity, and way too much water involved. A much better way to go is to lay down strips of plaster impregnated (not my term) cloths or paper. I've used just about everything possible, heres the list: Toiletpaper; the Sh*ts, instantly dissolves. Newspaper: too slick, plaster doesn't soak in. Brown paper bags: Medical gauze on the 4" roll: great but really expensive. Paper towel: pick the "Heftiest" or go steal some, the best is that Z-fold stuff from the gas station. Go buy gas and clean out the slot above the trashcan or go to the library and, er, go. Make your basic mountain form from foam board, or crumpled up newspaper. Start laying the stuff on this way and that. It makes a really hard shell, pretty light weight. Buy your plaster fresh only, not from the art store. Exposure to moisture ruins it. You'll know the difference if you ever compare the 1 lb bag you bought at the art store to the 20 lb bag you bought at the statuary shop. The latter will smell like gypsum, be soft and fluffy and set like a demon in about 5 minutes, giving off all kinds of heat. And not cost much more than the little bag. Store it in 1 Gallon ziplocks. Might take 3 or 4. I've built big chunks of California over the years in 1/160. All of the above I learned from a few good modelers who've been published in various Kalmbach publications. To answer your question, smooth the plaster out with your hands (in latex gloves). Paint it a flat neutral ground color like beige, or red if you're the Doog, before it gets hard. Throw on a layer of texture on the wet paint plaster, I use fine ground foam in a similar color. All over. It's a busy thirty minutes. Sorry its a little off topic, but bondo do you have any pics of your layout? I also do N scale and would be interested in seeing your layout. Oh also are you a member of nscale.net?

I'm not a member and should be. I'll post you shots soon. It occured to me though that with so "small" a mountain, get a 2" thick 4' x 4' piece of blue styrofoam, cut it into 1' x 4' and stack them, get clever with the shape so that scrap make the last two layers, , then shape it with a big bread knife, a steak knife and a Surform. Cover it with latex paint and ground foam dropped in the paint.