Plastacine

[PLTannery]

Trying to finish up the master for a Form and despite trying every technique I know to make "Clay" smooth....  I cannot get this stuff as smooth as I want it...   Finally gave up before I threw the whole thing..... 

Any tips on getting this stuff smooth... or at least smooth enough to pull a mould from....

[George Roof]

Lacquer thinner and a brush?

[RageofAnath]

What grade are you using? I don't like anything softer than medium since it is so sticky. Maybe pick up some medium or medium hard.

[bill@hogheaven]

Mineral spirits is the best lubricant we have found for smoothing plasticine.

[PLTannery]

This is just the cheaper stuff.... since this whole project is any experiment... Jolly King is the brand name. I don't believe they make more than one hardness... atleast it doesn't have any mention on the package.

Thanks for the tips Bill and George.  I did do some reading and I feel like a moron for asking...  I guess I've been working with Waterbased clays for too long.

I definately still prefer working in waterbased clay... If i was gonna cast this at the shop, I would probably do it in critter clay... it has a WAY better feel to it for me.

Thanks!

[Nancy C]

If it's oil-based clay you can smooth it out very nicely with generic vaseline. (Mineral oil is almost the same thing, but thinner.)

[Glen Conley]

Shelby, My Dear, go to an auto parts store and get some primer in a spray can.  White is best.  Be careful with it as it builds body quickly, you may not want to do more than a pffttt! around the eyes.  Once you get that about where you want it, use Deft satin finish spray lacquer to finish off your surface.  You can rotate and tilt your work pieces around while everything is wet and pull off some otherwise tricky applications.  I finish with three coats of Johnson's Paste Wax after primer and lacquer.