Sculpey Original 55 gr.

A compound that waits until you heat it

Ordinary modeling clay dries out, an epoxy compound starts to harden right after mixing and the modeler races the clock. A polymer clay removes that pressure: in the air it stays soft and yielding, so you can come back to work in progress even after several days. It hardens only in an oven at the temperature the manufacturer states.

Properties after baking

The cured material is not brittle like plaster and can be machined just like plastic. It takes sanding, drilling and carving with a scalpel and accepts water-based acrylic paints with no further base. It therefore suits parts that are fine-tuned after curing, such as the face of a figure or small items of equipment.

Mixing with other variants

This compound is recommended rather as an additive than as a standalone material. When it is mixed into the firmer variants of the same family, the result kneads better and is softer to work. Used on its own it tends to stick to tools, which gets in the way when sculpting small shapes.

Practical advice

• warm it in the hand before kneading; the compound then holds its shape better
• wipe the tools so that remains do not cling to them
• bake on a smooth surface according to the manufacturer's instructions
• paint only after it has cooled completely

A package weighing 55 grams suits trying the material out and doing small work.

Storing what is left

An unused piece is kept in a closed bag out of direct sunlight so that it does not pick up dust. Because the material does not dry out, an opened package can be used gradually and divided into small portions according to the work in hand.