System

Mixed Texture Casting System

Blend the aggregates — stone, glass and mosaic in one cast for a piece no one else has.

Coverage 1 m² per 5 kg

Cure Time Cures in 24–48 h

Skill Level Beginner-friendly

Specifications, explained

The numbers that decide how a cast behaves — and what to watch for at each step.

Base High-strength gypsum + mixed aggregates: Harder than pottery plaster, so thin walls survive demoulding without chipping.
Aggregate Three grain sizes — 0.5–4 mm soap dishes, 1–8 mm dish: Pour fine aggregates first and coarse ones last, or the layers muddy together.
Mix ratio Gypsum : water = 100 : 36 by weight: Too much water costs strength and leaves a chalky surface. Weigh it, do not eyeball it.
Batch yield 800 g → 2 soap dishes · 1,650 g → one 22 cm dish: Batches are sized to the piece, so the two-colour timing stays workable.

Working time 8–10 minutes — second batch 4 minutes later: Past that the mix thickens and stops flowing into fine detail.
Demould 20 min soap dishes · 30 min dish: Too early and the edges slump; too late and the piece fights the mould.
Full cure 24 h — handling strength in 4–12 h: Handling strength comes early, but sealing and load-bearing should wait a full day.
Sealing Once fully dry, dip in the polyurethane sealer for 20–30 s, then air-dry: The dipped coat cures into a glossy protective layer.

Boundary Crisp line or soft gradient — your call: One pass through the seam with a skewer blurs the line; leave it alone for a crisp edge.
Surface Matte · P2500 (2000-grit) edges · PU sealed: Sealing locks the aggregate in and stops oil and water marks soaking into the surface.
Water resistance Water-resistant once the film dries: Once the sealed surface dries into a cured film, it offers a degree of water resistance.
Room temperature 18–25 °C ideal: Below 10 °C curing slows sharply and the surface stays soft for days.