I recently purchased 2 lbs of Sculpey to use for the base of my diorama, but read that it has to cure in the oven... I am planning to fix it on a wood base, but I have a gas oven; Do really have to bake it (my concern is for fire) while it's set to the base, or can I just air dry it or accelerate the dying with a blow dryer? Or, bake it on a seperate surface and then glue it to the wood? Also, I want to build up the base (The whole thing is going to be a Hummer leading a convoy of M977 HEMTT's passing an M1 tank column on a narrow dirt road) showing a hill crest in the road... What is the best way to form the hil base? wadded newspaper or foil? wire mesh? I am planning on doing a thorough detail job and hope to make it as realistic as possible... Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I've used sculpey in the oven - it's not that bad. The temp is low enough that I don't think it creates a fire hazard. In regards to the hill base, if it's going to be covered with sculpey, then I'd go with a non-flammable filler like foil or wire.

Mika

Just wondering if you guys read the instructions on the Sculpey package.......it says not to bake in an oven that you will also be using for cooking food after.....I believe it's something about growing a 3rd eye or some such side affect #:-)
Just thought I'd point this out in case you didn't see it.

Sculpty sits pretty well on wadded aluminum foil, That's what I use to build up structure under the sculpty. I also routinely bake sculpy on wood and sometimes cardboard in the oven, and have yet to have any problems with it at the tempertures needed. (about 250 f I believe). You can also cure the sculpty at a lower temp for a little longer. If the Idea of the gas flames bother you, simply pre-heat the oven to a little over the desired temp, and then cut off the flame and place the sculpty in the oven for about 10 to 15 minutes.

I know this sounds funny, but I often gague when the sculpty is done by color. Basic sculpty id crumbly and easily sanded and worked while still white.. If you allow it to brown, it will become more plastic and resilient to pressure and any bending.. too dark and it will start to bubble, lol, so keep an eye on it.

You can also cure sculpty in hot/boiling water, this is useful when using sculpy on plastic figures. The figures take the wet heat better than the dry.

You can also use the sculpty to make molds and such.. Great stuff

Hola!

Why not use Plaster of Paris or another plaster instead of sculpey for your gound work? Just build up the nessessary elevations with cellfoam and then apply the plaster. Also CelluClay might be an option, but remember to mix it with a whole lot of white glue so it won't warp!

Thanks for the replies guys