Plaster Work for Starters

[Lucille Oka]

I will make this information for all who are planning to use plaster for the first time there are a few things to plan for and to do. I didn’t include any information on releases; keep it simple for your first try.

 

All of this may seem daunting at first but the more you do this the easier it becomes.

 

It is important to do a bit of research before you start. There are many good books on how to work with plaster. And doing a library catalog search is a good place to start.

 

-Get your ceramic suppliers catalog and see the different plasters that are available to you.

 

-Choose a plaster and an amount that fits your needs.

 

-Be sure to mix the plaster according to manufacturer’s instructions.

 

-Wear rubber gloves and a dust mask while using plaster.

 

-Use clean water for mixing plaster.

 

-A dry plastic cup or dry spoon can be used to scoop out the plaster then sprinkle the plaster onto the water.

 

-Using rubber plaster mixing bowls allow for a bit of vibration to help eliminate air bubbles in the mix and helps

make clean-up easier.

 

-Flat sticks such as cheap rulers or wood paint stirrers can be used for leveling off the tops of the poured surfaces.

 

-Having extra containers prepared for plaster casting eliminates waste and gives you a lot more shapes for your

clay work.

 

Note- The poured plaster mix gets hot while setting up; let the plaster cast cool down before removing it from the mold.

 

-Get good sturdy garbage bags to hold the plaster waste the liquid as well as the solids.

 

Never pour plaster down your drains it will clog them up.

 

-Be sure to have plenty of paper towels and damp shop towels for wipe ups.

 

-Sponges with scrubbing sides come in handy for cleaning the molds and surfaces after the cool down.

 

-Fettling knives are good for cleaning up the cast plaster edges, wear goggles while working on the still wet set

plaster.

 

-Use old newspapers for table and floor surfaces to catch spills and plaster shavings where needed.

 

-A bucket of water is good for clean up of the finished molds, tools, mixing bowls and the table or counter surfaces. When clean up is done, let the plaster bits in the bucket settle to the bottom then pour off excess water and put the bottom plaster bits in the garbage.

 

-Store the completed mold on an open shelf in a warm drafty area turning periodically for optimum drying.

 

I hope this is enough to get you started.