Make Plaster Rocks - Stones For Dioramas With Latex Rubber Molds

Why make plaster rocks from molds when you could use real rocks instead? One reason is the weight of the real thing. For a diorama or train layout you may need a lot of rocks to form a cliff face. The weight of real rocks may be more than the base of the layout or diorama may bear. Another reason is uniformity and ease of working with the plaster rocks. The plaster rocks may be glued to the terrain base with a white craft glue, filled in between easily with more hydrocal plaster and then the finished rock face may be painted as desired with acrylic paints or pigments.
Plaster rocks are easy to make using latex rock molds. Rock faces add realism to any train layout or diorama. Latex rock molds are flexible and reusable.They are also durable and easy to work with.

The first step in making rocks is to mix the hydrocal plaster according to the manufacturer's instructions. Then lighly mist the inside of the rock mold with water. Pour the hydrocal into the mold, tapping gently when full to dislodge any air bubbles which may have formed.

Allow to dry for at least thirty minutes.
For variety in the rocks, you may deliberately distort the mold before pouing the plaster by bending and twisting the rock mold. Hold the mold in place with sand or wadded up wetted newspapers while the plaster is drying.
Do not remove the rocks from the mold too soon, as this may cause flaking of the plaster After the hydrocal plaster is dry, you may remove the rock casting by turning the mold over and gently twisting the mold.

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