Can't find an answer on clay/epoxy question.

Hi,

I'm new here and sure I will get the answer I need from you smart clay/putty folks!

I have done lots of research on the various clays and epoxy putties but can't seem to find the exact info I need.

I'm wanting to add a small bit of sculpture to a cane. The addition will not protrude far from the cane and only be about 1inch by 1 inch. I need to be sure the clay is durable, will not break if the cane is banged around or dropped etc. So I was leaning towards the Green Stuff, but I would like it to be sandable so that leaves the GS out. Which brings me to the Brown Stuff. I understand that it is sandable, but is it durable enough if dropped that it won't break? The shape will be more or less organic with no sharp edges. I tried plumber epoxie and it wasn't strong enough when it took a beating and broke. I'm thinking Magic Sculp, will be too hard and may break as well...

My questions is...I'm still leaning towards the GS because from what I have read it is flexible when dry. BUT is it so flexible that if you put say a fingernail into it the indentation remains? I can do without the need to sand. I suppose if indentations on dry GS are still possible, I could put a couple of coats of non-yellowing varnish over the GS for protection? Or perhaps I should try Apoxie Sculpt?

Thanks for any input!
Stacey

[pluv]

I actually used green stuff (kneadtite) for a cane handle and it worked fine. I cna't tell you about sanding on this piece because it actually had texture but on other things I've been able to get it smooth between the long working time and a dremel.

I used greens stuff because of its flex but I also worked with the figure I wanted it for to make sure it would fit his hand. It won't allow a finger nail once it is completely cured which can take 24 hrs or so for me.

Thanks! That's exactly the info I needed. I was mainly concerned about indentations and it breaking from cane usuage.

I was reading more info on this forum and have learned about using RIT Dye. Wondering if RIT can also be used to dye dried GS?

Thanks again,
Stacey

Thanks! That's exactly the info I needed. I was mainly concerned about indentations and it breaking from cane usuage.

I was reading more info on this forum and have learned about using RIT Dye. Wondering if RIT can also be used to dye dried GS?

Thanks again,
Stacey

no it cannot.

I would like to point out that Green Stuff is sandable. I've never had any problems with sanding down imperfections in things I've sculpted out of it.

I would also suggest Milliput.

It is a white epoxy putty, and is rock hard when dry.
It can be sanded, drilled, painted, etc. etc.

Really solid stuff.

[pluv]

I used the lower grade milliput (read cheaper) and didn't like it at all. It was as coarse as plumbers epoxy and didn't look right in thsi scale. Now after I threw that away I did read about some of their "detail" sculptor quality stuff that would probably work, but I balked when I saw that it cost twice as much as green stuff.

It was as coarse as plumbers epoxy and didn't look right in thsi scale.

Is this for a scaled item (cane) or a real one?

When they said

I am wanting to add a small bit of sculpture to a cane. The addition will not protrude far from the cane and only be about 1inch by 1 inch. I need to be sure the clay is durable, will not break if the cane is banged around or dropped etc.

I read it as a "real" cane. I could very well have mis-read that too.

If it is for a Joe scaled cane, Milliput is probably too expensive to justify on a piece that small.
For a real cane, I would recommend it though, even if just due to it's durability.

Now I've never used Green Stuff before, so I don't know what it's overall durability level is, and can't really say that Milliput would be "better" for this application. I'm just saying that it would work very well for this, as GS may too.

And yes, I use the superfine white, since it is for modeling, so I'm sure Pluv is right about the standard being too coarse for smaller scales.

It also come in black now too (since it was asked about dying the piece).
Here is a link to their website:
http://www.milliput.com/prod.htm