Sculpey Help!

[Capt.JohnPaul]

I've been trying to make custom hats and helmets, using the tutorial by tin_7. Unfortunately, the sculpey is extremely difficult to mold and does not stick on and breaks like a twig. So I got a different kind and it doesn't break as much, but still doesn't stick on, but rather slide around and not connect. So does anyone know what is going on? I didn't do what it said in the tutorial but someone suggested it turned out really well if put in hot water so I did that. Since it didn't turn out so well, would boiling or baking make a difference? So:

1. Am I using the wrong sculpey?

2. Am I hardening (bake, boil) the sculpey wrong?

or,

3. Am I molding it wrong?

I would appreciate your help so I could make customs to share with you guys.

-Capt.JohnPaul

[Henchmen4Hire]

Try sanding the surface you're sculpting on beforehand.

The biggest mistake you made was buying Sculpey in the first place, it sucks! It's great if you're gonna make a mold to cast more parts, but it's not very durable. That, and it shrinks a little when you bake it, causing cracks and crumbling.

Get some Apoxie Sculpt, it has zero shrinkage, hardens by itself (you have like an hour or two to work with it), and is rock hard when cured. I customize action figures and it's all I use because I was so sick of Sculpey breaking all the time.

(all the grey bits are sculpted)

Oh yeah, and boiling the sculpey to harden it will never give you as good a result as baking it, it has to reach that high temperature to cure properly. Putting it in hot water for a long time won't be any more effective either.

That said, you CAN use Sculpey effectively, it's all about practice.

Edited January 5, 2011 by DrNightmare

[tin7_creations]

Try sanding the surface you're sculpting on beforehand.

The biggest mistake you made was buying Sculpey in the first place, it sucks! It's great if you're gonna make a mold to cast more parts, but it's not very durable. That, and it shrinks a little when you bake it, causing cracks and crumbling.

What's wrong with Sculpey? I've been using Sculpey for years. All you need to do is handle it with a bit more care. Plus, after you layer it with paint and clear coat, and Sculpey Glaze, it'll become durable enough to play with. It's the best material for beginners; since Apoxie Sculpt hardens too fast for beginners to work with.

Also, putting it in hot water does not work; which is why I didn't put it in the tutorial. What's the point of reading a tutorial if you don't plan on following it??

Edited January 5, 2011 by tin7_creations

[Henchmen4Hire]

I added the little disclaimer to my post, I'm not anti-Sculpey, I just don't like using it anymore

By the way Capt., many professional sculptors use Sculpey and Sculpey Firm to create statues for toy companies like Hot Toys, Marvel, DC, etc., so don't throw your sculpey away just because I'm nagging about it, figure out how it will work best for you.

Edit: Read the tutorial, pretty cool. Capt., if the foil is what's sliding around, try using aluminum foil tape (and disregard my sanding advice). If the Sculpey is what's sliding around, then I don't know, maybe you got some water between the sculpey and the foil so it won't stick?

Edited January 5, 2011 by DrNightmare

[Capt.JohnPaul]

Also, putting it in hot water does not work; which is why I didn't put it in the tutorial. What's the point of reading a tutorial if you don't plan on following it??

Well, I just heard it worked really well so I'll take your advice.

Try sanding the surface you're sculpting on beforehand.

The biggest mistake you made was buying Sculpey in the first place, it sucks! It's great if you're gonna make a mold to cast more parts, but it's not very durable. That, and it shrinks a little when you bake it, causing cracks and crumbling.

Get some Apoxie Sculpt, it has zero shrinkage, hardens by itself (you have like an hour or two to work with it), and is rock hard when cured. I customize action figures and it's all I use because I was so sick of Sculpey breaking all the time.

(all the grey bits are sculpted)

Thanks for telling me the sanding part! I'll try and look for Apoxie Sculpt. Thankyou for your advice.

[Bobskink]

One answer:

Green stuff from Citadel Minautures (Games Workshop)