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In our polymeric gypsum Many different casts can be made. Today we come to you with inspiration for a terrazzo-style polymer plaster soap dish. By using the right type of plaster, technique and protection of the finished cast, such a soap dish will not only be a beautiful decoration in the bathroom, but also a useful object. We will be able to successfully use such a soap dish on a daily basis or give it as a gift. How do you make a terrazzo-style soap dish from polymer plaster? See how easy it is.
First of all, we need to prepare the decorative flecks, which are a key element in the terrazzo decoration technique. For this, we use a single-component SnowCast polymer gypsum (Lastryko) and water. We will need a scale, containers for the mixture (as many as the number of colours we want to obtain), stirrers (e.g. a plastic spatula), gloves and a working area, protected by cardboard or painter's foil (in case it gets dirty).
About it, how to calculate the amount of polymer gypsum needed for casting, we have written in more detail - just a reminder that once the scale has been tared, we fill the mould with water, the weight of which will be the indicator needed for the calculation using the calculator. In the case of terrazzo-style powder, we adopt a ratio of 100:22 - 100 grams of powder and 22 grams of water, resulting in the ideal cream consistency to fill the mould perfectly, while not unnecessarily prolonging the drying time of the casting. Use our calculator to get a ready-made ratio for your mould.
When preparing decorations for the terrazzo technique, the prepared mass will be poured into a flat mould or simply onto a previously prepared foil. In this case, the proportions are the most important - the amount of prepared casting compound does not play such an important role and, when preparing a terrazzo polymer gypsum soap dish or other object for the first time, we will only learn how much decorative particles we will use for one such object.
Armed with scales, containers and other accessories, we proceed to make the decorative particles for the casting of the terrazzo-style soap dish. We grate the container on the scale, add the amount of water indicated in the calculator, and then add the indicated amount of gypsum - we always proceed in this order, adding the gypsum to the water. We mix with a spatula, trying not to aerate the mass. If you have a suitable mixer, it is worth using it. Once the powder is mixed with the water and the mass is homogeneous, we tap the container on the sides, thus getting rid of air bubbles from the casting mass (read: How to avoid unsightly holes in plaster casts?). By the way, an interesting fact: the tapping technique works well when you shake a can or bottle of fizzy drink - it is worth tapping the bottle or can to reduce the risk of the drink spilling out when it is opened.
Add the pigment of your choice to the mixture prepared in this way. SnowCast plaster pigments add at a ratio of 0.1 - 2%, preferably at a ratio of 0.5% of gypsum mass. It is best to add the pigment one drop at a time, stirring carefully and slowly (so as not to aerate the mass) and repeating until the desired colour intensity is achieved. The colour mass prepared in this way is poured as thinly as possible and waited to dry. When the cast gypsum "sheet" dries, we crush it into small pieces. We also adjust the size of the decorative pieces according to our expectations of the final effect. If you want to make a multi-coloured soap dish from polymer gypsum using the terrazzo method, the decorative pieces in different colours are made separately.
Once we have the small decorative elements prepared, we can proceed with the main part of the task. Similarly, using a balance, a container and a spatula, we prepare the casting compound. Adding the powder to the water and mixing thoroughly, we obtain a paste to which we then add the previously prepared coloured pieces of gypsum, mixing again so that the particles are evenly distributed throughout the mass. We can also, before adding the crushed coloured gypsum particles, colour the mass, which will form the base of our cast. We then pour the mass slowly and carefully into the moulds. After 40 minutes the gypsum will have sufficiently hardened - the cast should then be removed from the mould and set aside for 24 hours. During this time the whole thing will "come together". - it will have hardened over the entire surface and in the deepest layers of the cast.
After a day, we can start sanding the terrazzo-style polymer gypsum soapstone. How exactly to do this, we have shown in the example terrazo/lastric furniture handles. We will need pieces of sandpaper with three gradations: 120, 240 i 600.
As we have already mentioned, a terrazzo-style polymer plaster soap dish is not only a design gadget, but also a utilitarian object - in this case dealing with water. Therefore, before using it, it must be protected from its effects. To do this, we use Glosstone waterproofing, and impregnation should be carried out between the 2nd and 6th day after casting the soapstone - the casting must be dry and clean.
Before using the impregnator, shake the bottle to mix it well. Pour a small amount of the product into a bowl and use a brush to apply it evenly to the soap dish. Avoid applying too much impregnation and wipe off any excess with a dry cloth. 15-30 minutes after the first impregnation, repeat the process. In the case of dark colours, a white deposit may appear on the surface to be impregnated - in this case rinse under running water.
We hope that the idea of a terrazzo-style polymer plaster soap dish will inspire you to prepare not only this utilitarian gadget, but also other interesting decorations and utilitarian objects. We invite you to follow our blog, Facebook profile and online shop.
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