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HELP!! Celluclay question!!

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  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
HELP!! Celluclay question!!
Posted by model maniac 96 on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 11:30 PM
Hi everbody, this is my first post here at finescale, so I'm still learning all the little things. Smile [:)] I was wondering, how do you make/where do you buy Cellucaly?? Any help would be great scince I am compleatly lost on the subject. Thanks,Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Thursday, February 5, 2009 7:36 AM

It's available on-line and at just about any hobby shop that caters to model railroaders, or arts & craft stores, MM.. Here, it comes in one pound and five pound bags... It's basically just a pre-made papier mache'...

If you have to buy on-line, check about any of the e-hobby sites advertised here, or go to google for a bunch of places that sell it.  There's also a large number of "How tos" for using it..

 

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Celluclay&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&oq=

Any problems, holler..

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Thursday, February 5, 2009 7:45 AM

The instructions will tell you to mix with water. For our applications, try the following. Add a good dollop of white glue and enough cheap earth colored acrylic craft paint to precolor it, then throw in some textured turf material from the train landscapre section of the LHS. Add just enough water to make a thick slurry about the consistency of a thick, stick to your ribs,  oatmeal.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
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  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Thursday, February 5, 2009 9:33 AM

I should add that I picked up a blender at a garage sale for 2.00 and I use it for mixing the stuff... Beats kneading and stirring, is super-fast, and blends all the glue and paint (I use Tempera Paint) into a smooth paste, almost like batter, that I can then spread evenly and cleanly, without the grey lumps...  Even makes convincing water if you want to stay away from the weight of plaster.

I had to buy my own after I got my own "lumps" from usin' Household 6's food processor for groundwork... Big Smile [:D]

Another note on using it.  Make sure that the base you apply it to is both scored and roughed-up (to give it something to stick to) and water-proofed... If you use wood or any other porous material, seal it with a varnish of some sort or you can run into a warping problem.

  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 11:28 AM
Thanks Hans and ajlafleche,

I will have to see when I can go to Michaels or someplace (Michaels does sell it right?) I need it to start on my upcoming Panzer IV diorama. Thanks again for the help!! As I told you before, I was just lost. Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: NYC, USA
Posted by waikong on Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:00 PM
Michaels sells it, I just picked up a 1lb bag this weekend from them.
  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado
Posted by Panzer_Blitz on Thursday, February 5, 2009 12:43 PM

Here is another source for celluclay, it's not listed on his site so you may need to ask. I purchase most all my supplies from here at very good prices.

The stuff I get is called Claycrete by Amaco....same stuff in a 1 pound bag that should last you a VERY long time.

I also have a section on this site for basic weathering...check it out !

http://www.structuresandtrainsbyfred.com/default.aspx

  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 2:55 PM
OK, cool, thanks guys! Waikong, Panzer_Blitz you guys both have very cool websites. Neat info, and Panzer_Blitz, I love those trees!! and I'll try to hit Michaels this weekend! Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 3:52 PM

 HEY! Can you apply this over styrofoam?

                                                      doc

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
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  • From: Los Angeles
Posted by dostacos on Thursday, February 5, 2009 4:30 PM
 doc-hm3 wrote:

 HEY! Can you apply this over styrofoam?

                                                      doc

it does not react to the foam so it should be ok.....
Dan support your 2nd amendment rights to keep and arm bears!
  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 4:53 PM
Really? that's cool! What would be the best base to lay celluclay on. Also, about how long does it take for celluclay to dry?? Thanks, Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 5:09 PM
Will cellucaly hold it's shape if I put push shapes into it? Thanks, Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado
Posted by Panzer_Blitz on Thursday, February 5, 2009 5:42 PM

You can apply the celluclay, or claycrete material to almost anything. But on a very smooth surface like styrene you may need to rough the surface up a little bit to give the glue something to hold onto.

Thin wood may be a problem as the material is very wet, and it may tend to warp the wood as it drys.

The drying time is usually over night...say a good 6-8 hours.

I've never tried to imprint a shape into this stuff, but it should work as long as you use some type of coating (light oil maybe?) on the part you want to use to keep it from sticking to the celluclay.

  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado
Posted by Panzer_Blitz on Thursday, February 5, 2009 5:49 PM
 doc-hm3 wrote:

 HEY! Can you apply this over styrofoam?

                                                      doc

I'm not real sure about styrofoam Doc, never tried that, but it might work if the openings between the styrofoam balls is large enough to give the celluclay something to hold onto

  • Member since
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  • From: Sunny Florida
Posted by renarts on Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:05 PM

If you add the white glue that ajlafleche mentioned, you should have no problem with the celuclay adhereing. You can improve this by making some holes in the styrofam and pushing the celuclay into the holes that will act as anchors. Some toothpicks stuck into the foam and cut flush with the top of the layer of celuclay will also act as an anchor.

Form most of your terrain feature with the foam. Use a shallow layer of celuclay and you'll get a faster drying time, less chance of the celuclay pulling up or warping and use less material in the coverage. Celuclay warps because one side dries faster than the other. The result is that the topside, drying faster than the underside, contracts and pulls the underside up. The thinner layer of celuclay allows a more even drying.

Celuclay can hold its shape and can be manipulated into some very interesting and complex forms. But, as any soft sculpting media, the longer or taller the piece, the more subject to gravity it becomes and may have to be stabilized with an armature.

I mix my celuclay with white glue and a portion of paster of paris. Throw in any ground detrius like sand, small pebbles or kitty litter, add my water and any pigment and mix it up to a heavy oatmeal consistency. I smooth out any thing that needs smoothing with a spoon or finger dipped in water. You can use this to make mud on wheels or tracks, water, terrain, stucco etc.

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
  • Member since
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  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Thursday, February 5, 2009 6:08 PM
Click here for a groundwork tutorial I did using Celluclay and styrofoam.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Thursday, February 5, 2009 10:20 PM
Sweet, thanks guys, the tutorial was good! thanks again for all your help guys. It was great! Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
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Posted by the doog on Friday, February 6, 2009 1:26 AM

This little tutorial might help you;

/forums/822767/ShowPost.aspx

  • Member since
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  • From: Colorado
Posted by Panzer_Blitz on Friday, February 6, 2009 1:51 AM

Nice tutorial Al......gives me another use for the stuff since I have an entire bag full !

You guys really do some nice work !

Jerry

  • Member since
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  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Friday, February 6, 2009 5:33 AM
Keep in mind that, if you mix up too much, it keeps for long time in a zip-lock bag.  Squeeze as much air out as you can, though.. It'll eventually mold, but you CAN freeze it as well...

  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Friday, February 6, 2009 11:13 AM
Thanks for the tip Hans. And doog, thanks a bunch for the great tutorial,and (sorry if this is off topic) but your dio,spooked,is nothing short of completely awsome. I read the story everyday, no joke.Bow [bow]Bow [bow] and, sorry, but one more question, you guys said that Celluclay would warp if the layer was too thick. Is about one inch too thick?? Thanks, Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
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  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Friday, February 6, 2009 12:11 PM

 model maniac 96 wrote:
you guys said that Celluclay would warp if the layer was too thick. Is about one inch too thick?? Thanks, Jim

It may not warp, but it will take way too long to dry and you may see more shrinkage. If you need something an inch thick, build up 3/4 - 7/8 inch with styrofoam then put a thin layer of celluclay.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Friday, February 6, 2009 1:01 PM
 OK thanks. One more question, if I put a layer of Celluclay down and let it dry, is it ok to put another layer on top of it? As long as they are both thin. Thanks, Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: Iowa
Posted by Hans von Hammer on Friday, February 6, 2009 2:37 PM

You'll basically re-wet the dry layer unless you seal it...  On my dioramas, the entire celluclay depth is less then a 1/2 inch... You won't need it that deep unless you're modeling a super-muddy road with deep ruts and standing water..

The depth here is about a 1/2 inch at the center...

  • Member since
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  • From: Massachusetts
Posted by ajlafleche on Friday, February 6, 2009 2:45 PM
I'm with Hans...keep it as thin as possible. If you've bought any electronics, the packing foam will work. Almost as cheap are styrofoam blocks. Cut the contours and build the general shape from this.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Friday, February 6, 2009 7:08 PM
Sweet, thanks guys. And Hans, I am doing that, with the mud and standing water. That's part of what I'm planning for my panzer IV dio. Thanks again guys, Jim
"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
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  • From: Nashotah, WI
Posted by Glamdring on Monday, February 9, 2009 6:47 PM

 Hans von Hammer wrote:
Keep in mind that, if you mix up too much, it keeps for long time in a zip-lock bag.  Squeeze as much air out as you can, though.. It'll eventually mold, but you CAN freeze it as well...

Great info here guys, I need to start working on my groundwork/basing skills..

On a side note, how does the Six feel about bags of that in the freezer?  Laugh [(-D]

Robert 

"I can't get ahead no matter how hard I try, I'm gettin' really good at barely gettin' by"

  • Member since
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  • From: The Plains of Kansas
Posted by doc-hm3 on Monday, February 9, 2009 7:07 PM

 I have just finnished applying "Claycrete" same as "Celluclay" papermache over styrofoam. After the inletting of the foam by cutting it with a knife. I used about 1/2 a bottle of "Tamiya" red brown with about 1/2 cup "Elmer's" glue with water and the mix. Spreading a thin coat of about 3/16", it took about 30hrs. to dry/ I am satisfied with the results.

 This is in preparation for my diorama "Schnell, Mach Schnell"

                                                              doc

                                                  

All gave some and some gave all.

  • Member since
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  • From: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England
Posted by Bish on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 10:34 AM
As already mentoned, keep it as thin as you can. I usually put mine somewhere warm like an aiery cupboard to help it dry out and have never had any problems. I apply normal paper mache over what ever i am useing to shape the terrain. This is an old habit from before i found celluclay but i find i can make fine adjustments in the ground and it gives the celuclay somethignt o stcik to.

I am a Norfolk man and i glory in being so

 

On the bench: Airfix 1/72nd Harrier GR.3/Fujimi 1/72nd Ju 87D-3

  • Member since
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  • From: Las Vegas, Nevada
Posted by model maniac 96 on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 5:11 PM

 Thanks Bish, I'll try that! And doc, I had no idea you could have Cellucaly and papermache on the same base like that! And sorry, but one more question,Whistling [:-^] can you mix any paint with the Celluclay, like water based, oil based and artist's paints.

Thanks again guys, Jim

"Veni, Vidi, Vici" Julius Caesar: I came, I saw, I conquered.
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