Pottery plaster can be used in both molds and castings.
Artists use potters plaster, also called pottery plaster, in both molding and casting projects, particularly for making slip molds for ceramics. It comes as a powder that, when mixed with water, hardens into a rigid plaster that lasts a long time. However, because of its rigidity, pottery plaster is not good for casts that have significant undercuts or protrusions. Such castings will harden in the plaster and become stuck.
Instructions
1. Set up a work space in a well-ventilated area. Lay out three layers of newspaper over your work surface and place a sheet of wax paper on top of it. Place your prototype object on the wax paper. Put on your gloves and goggles.
2. Coat your prototype in mold release. Mold release is a substance used to keep your mold from sticking to your prototype, allowing for the easy removal of the prototype when you are done. The mold release you should use depends on what your prototype is made from. Use soft soap as a mold release for cement, plaster, or clay, and liquid wax for wood, metal, foam, stone, or resin.
3. Open the container of plaster powder and pour enough of it into a bucket to cover your prototype. Place the bucket in a sink and turn on the tap so the bucket begins to fill with a slow stream of water. Mix the water into the plaster with your hands. Turn the tap off when the plaster reaches the consistency of thick mud. Make sure the mixture is evenly stirred.
4. Remove the bucket from the sink and return to your prototype. Pour the plaster over the prototype and work it over the surface using your hands. Press it into all grooves. Make sure that the plaster forms a shell around your prototype that has a uniform thickness of one inch.
5. Let the plaster harden overnight, and then turn the mold over and peel the wax paper off. Remove your prototype and rinse both the prototype and the mold in water to wash away any remaining mold release. Let your plaster mold dry at least a week before you use it for casting.
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