Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 01:40:18 -0400
From: heyhoot-AT-mindspring.com (Christopher Hudert)
Subject: Re: PUPT: tricks with neoprene?


James,
 In answer to your questions:
 Neoprene is a good substitute for celestic/solvoform, maybe even better.
It is a slip process and will give you very true reprodictions with little
to no loss of detail. Your cast pieces are hollow so the weight depends on
how thick you let it get before pouring off the slip. Yes you can build
animated heads with it, putting in the works is not that much different
than in celestic.  No additional solution is need when poured in the mold.
You pour it in, leave it sit for 2 hours - more or less, depending on
weather conditions, mold moisture, thickness desired, etc. - and pour it
off again.  You may have to top it off as time goes by though. You can use
oil based clay but you must be very sure that you mold is completely clean
of all oil residue.  It is an absorbtion process - the plaster draws
moisture off - so any spots that remain clogged with oil/clay will not
absorb.  Seal the sculpted piece with Krylon CrystClear, a couple of light
coats, and scrub you mold with dish soap. I do this with both oil and water
based clays because I find it resultes in a cleaner mold. I don't recommend
plaster of paris as it is a weak plaster and doesn't hold up very well.
Use Hydracal Gypsum Cement - this is plaster in its pureset form.  Properly
cared for, neoprene puppets will last for years.  For more info see Jim G's
web site (earlier post) and the crit archives.  If we can be of further
help let us know.




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