Easy DIY Sculptamold Alternative

Hey Everybody! Be sure to subscribe! Today I am showing you my DIY alternative to sculptamold. I love sculptamold, but when you need a lot of it, it can get expensive. Here is how I make my own modeling material that is very similar to sculptamold. It requires no power tools or ovens!

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[chelbot]

I just came across this video after searching around town for sculptamold. I hesitantly picked up plaster of Paris as an alternative. Glad I did because now I can make this! Thank you!

[billclark]

Every time I watch one of your videos I learn.

[williamfowler]

Great alternative! How about tinting the mix with some paint to give a "base coat color" to it?

[TheBearScaleModels]

perfect you really helped me with this video.... because i cannot find Sculptamold here in Russia !

[jcbruni]

great short direct video! just what I was looking for. thanks for sharing! cheers from Argentina!

[dacuzzz]

as modelers we arebnalways looking for inexpensive ways to do our models.., .this was a great "how to"...thx for sharing.. vinny

[christianm.multicolorfilms]

*Me in 2020* "Holy cow, this guy is rich! "Use cheap toilet paper.''' The ain't none left!" XD

[newfenrisrailroad]

Hey jimmy great DIY.I never shot mine because your doing this one and it’s the same except I used 5 min set joint compound and a drill to shred the toilet paper. Liked the texture you got on it also this video will be awesome for everyone who wants to use an alternative to sculptamold.

[normanrowe]

Hi Jimmy, I love the diplomatic beginning. I think you missed your calling. Thanks for another cost cutting tutorial. Just a thought, you mentioned that you would be placing rock features on the one corner mountain; wouldn’t it be better to place ( glue ) them before putting on the Scuptamold like substance on the foam? That way you can blend the rock faces into the wet substance. Anyways, thanks for another great tutorial. See ya next time.

[pdrrengineer]

A nice succinct DIY video Jimmy. I've made my own similar product only I used the cellulose blow-in insulation product (which is nothing but pulverized paper, so I save the shredding step) and lightweight joint compound for the binder. End result is pretty much the same, and I can cover about 40 sq. ft. for $21.00.

[aljquack]

Love the video.What material and process did you use to make the mountain itself? I want to know what I'm pouring this homemade sculptamold on to. Thanks.

[chsrails]

Thanks to your tutorial I have used this on my layout and it looks awesome!

[ellieB]

Thanks for this! I'll be trying it soon

[howardhansford]

Great video you can save yourself the shedding step by just soaking the toilet paper in water and then it falls apart then add your plaster or just add white glue cheaper still

[robleathley]

Very interesting technique. I’ll have to try this.

[markarnold]

Back in the day I used old newspapers that were delivered free every week. You do need good paint to hide the print showing through though. In any case that dollar store kitchen towel will do the job just fine. Looking forward to the next installment Jimmy.

[Peabody]

I have used the "Hard Shelf" technique with good results. It uses strips of paper towel dip in a watery plaster mixture. The method is inexpensive and perhaps a bit less messy.

[DruSteel]

Very cool, Jimmy. Thanks for sharing. - Drew

[bigbrowntau]

Thanks for this. A good trick is to wet your hands and then use them to smooth it out when it's close to drying, if you're after a smooth finish.

[SaiaArt]

I like Durabond 90 (joint compound). Note that it will dry as hard as concrete, so it isn’t good for some areas. That said though, it is heavy so your scenery will be heavier than the trains, which is how you want it to be. Mix in gray paint for roads and while it id in place and setting up, smooth it out with water. Same thing for creek beds using tan/brown paint. Not smoothing it out with water will let it dry in a rough/course texture which looks good for raw soil (farm fields, earthen berms, etc). It is SUPER durable, like concrete, even over a cardboard lattice. So it’s perfect for a modular/exhibition layout. You definitely want to wear gloves when mixing it. Not only will it pull moisture out of your skin, but having dried concrete under your fingernails was a Homer Simpson moment for me. And here’s a tip from experience…stick nails in where ever you want to add a tree later. On e the stuff is dry just pop the nail out, and use it as the pin for the tree. Then all the trees are removable. I do the same thing with piano wire for people/vehicles… that way my people can “move” once in a while, and vehicles on a hill are held in place but still interchangeable/movable. Nescafe’ as always, I do the instant cheap, vanilla cream & four sugars.