Drying is an important step in making casts and other objects from hydrocal. The drying process is simple just as long as the proper conditions are maintained. The thickness of the hydrocal cast and the temperature of the room where it is kept are some of the factors that affect the setting time.<\/p>\n\n\n
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How do you know if the Hydrocal Mold is Dry?<\/h2>\n
One of the things that you need to watch out for to find out if the hydrocal mold is dry is the color. A dry hydrocal mold has a bone white color. If it has slightly darker or cream-colored, it is still wet.<\/strong> Another way to find out is by touching the mold. If it is slightly cold when you touch it, it is still wet. For a hydrocal plaster to be thoroughly dry, all the water that you use during the mixing process should evaporate.<\/p>\n Let the hydrocal mold rest for about 24 hours before you flip it over to another side. You need to wait about 72 hours if you want it to be completely cured.<\/strong> De-molding the hydrocal before it dries can damage its surface and also cause breakage. Take note that the longer hydrocal can cure, the harder it will be. Hydrocal sets quickly. If you are planning to paint the hydrocal, it first needs to cure for a few days. Why hydrocal sets quickly, curing can take some time. You can also check out this article that discusses what hydrocal is made of<\/a>. We have shared useful information about the composition of hydrocal.<\/p>\n Casting plaster can take a few minutes or a few hours to dry depending on some factors. For instance, the size of the cast can affect how long it will dry.<\/strong> Smaller casts take a few minutes to dry a few hours to cure. On the other hand, a large cast could take a few hours to dry and a few days to cure.<\/p>\n There are different factors that affect how hydrocal molds dry. Aside from the size of the mold, the room temperature also determines how long it will dry. Hydrocal mold will dry through exposure to air at room temperature. On the other hand, they can also be dried in a warm oven.<\/strong> Be careful when using the oven to dry hydrocal molds because high temperatures can cause them to crack.<\/p>\n When it comes to drying hydrocal molds, it has the same methods as drying clayware. On the other hand, drying hydrocal should be urgent especially if you will use the mold many times. If you are using room temperature for drying, you need to have many molds in stock if you are doing multiple casts of the same mold.<\/p>\n If you are using a dryer to dry hydrocal molds, see to it that the temperature inside the dryer does not exceed 50 degrees centigrade. You can use an ordinary thermometer inside the dryer to check the temperature. Take note that wet molds do not become hot even if they are exposed to air that is above 50 degrees centigrade. On the other hand, dry molds can get damaged when exposed to temperatures above 50 degrees centigrade which can lead to cracks. Hence, it is recommended that you remove the molds from the dryer while they are still damp.<\/p>\n It is vital that hydrocal should not be overheated. Otherwise, it will begin to recalcine. Bear in mind that gypsum will begin to calcine<\/a> when exposed to a temperature of about 100 degrees centigrade. When exposed to temperatures above 50 degrees centigrade, the hydrocal molds will soften and can have chalky edges. As a result, it will weaken the molds and lessen their durability.<\/p>\n If you are using hydrocal molds for slip casting, they should be dried only from the outer surface. Meaning, they should be assembled so that only a little water will evaporate from the surface of the inner mold. Bear in mind that the casting slip, as well as the water in the casting molds, have deflocculants<\/a>. These deflocculants can remain on the surface of the mold even if the water evaporates. Moreover, deflocculants attack plaster. Because of this, it is ideal that they are concentrated on the outside of the mold to avoid damages.<\/p>\n When drying hydrocal mold, choosing a warm, draft-free, and dry location is very important. Make sure that the rack where you place the mold has plenty of room for air to flow around. Prevent the mold from becoming powdery by keeping it from temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit or above.<\/strong> To help the mold dry faster, you can place an electric fan near it. However, make sure that you flip the mold every few hours so that all sides will be dried. It is recommended that the mold should be left to dry for about 24 hours or more. How long the mold takes to dry will have to depend on how thick it is. Thicker and heavier molds take longer to dry as compared to the lighter ones.<\/p>\n StiltbeastStudios shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to mold a mask in hydrocal. In the video, the methods, tips, and techniques in casting hydrocal is discussed. You can watch the visual demonstration below for more tips and ideas.<\/p>\n\n\nHow Long Should Hydrocal Mold Dry before Flipping Over?<\/h2>\n
How Long Does Casting Plaster Take to Dry?<\/h2>\n
How to Dry Hydrocal Mold<\/h2>\n
Number of Molds<\/h3>\n
Using the Dryer<\/h3>\n
Recalcination of Molds<\/h3>\n
Deflocculants<\/h3>\n
Tips in Drying Hydrocal Mold<\/h2>\n
\u2705 Video \u2013 Molding a Mask in Hydrocal<\/h3>\n