"Warped" Celluclay

To solve your problem, most folks put down a layer of white glue onto the base before adding the celluclay, this forms a solid bond between the base and the celluclay once it dries. Adding some white glue to the celluclay when you mix it up works too. This should help prevent the cracking problem too.

This is just one of the reasons I quit using celluclay years ago and now make my dioramas out of styrofoam, plaster bandage and plaster of paris. Plus you don't have to wait forever for the plaster to dry, unlike celluclay, which can take weeks to dry if you apply it in too thick of a layer.

Also, place the base under a clear plastic container to cure slowly and avoid or minimise cracking and warping issues . Both these issues can be exacerbated when the Celluclay cures to quickly.

I prop up an end of the upturned container with a bit of sprue to allow air circulation.

Try and avoid applying it too thickly as well. If you cover up your mixing bowl and put the bag/bowl in the fridge, it will not go off or cure. After the first layer cures you can then add another layer to bring the base up to the thickness you desire.

Cheers

Mike

This has been a recurrent theme/propblem for some people--it generally means that you have too much water in the stuff if it takes too long to dry.

If you type in "FINISHED! DML Hetzer figure & base tutorial" in the search feature here, you can see my Celluclay tutorial, which tells about how I do mine--I've only once ever had a problem with warpage. I use the glue on the base trick too; works like a charm!

Doog's tutorial is excellent and convinced me to have a go with Celluclay.

Cheers

Mike

I'm guessing it was too wet and lost too much of its volume as the water evaporated.

I always drill holes in my base to give the Celluclay more to bite into uless it's being layered over styrofoam which has some texture. I also add a good deal of white glue to0 the Celuclay along with cheap brown acrylic paint and railroad ballast and woody textured turf which I've had for years and seems to be oop. To this I add only as much water to get this mixtuire to the consistency of thick oatmeal. The layer is never more than a quarter inch thick.

PastaDNA wrote:

Thanks for the advice. Nice job on the Hetzer.

I've been using Celluclay for over 20 years and have learned a little something along the way....I mix white glue in the celluclay mixture along with water based ground color...usually a medium brown or dirt color.  I tape (masking) the edge of the base and I go thicker around the edges with the mix because it will settle. 

Hope that helps, 

razorboy