Guys,

I want to build my own walls for a diorama rather buying off-the-shelf products. I'm just curious to just what materials to use and where you buy them. I plan to use materials that are available in hardwares here.

My plan is to use styrofoam as base material for the wall, but I need to know what to cover it with to make it look like a wall. Plaster of Paris might be a good material, but at the moment it seems to be hard to find (I already tried Ace, True Value, Home Depot but they don't seem to have that thing on stock). Are there other alternatives?

Thanks

Warthog,

Plaster of Paris is available in any dental suppliers (they have it in white and beige colors),
What you're gonna get in a hardware is "calsomine"(tama ba?) or white cement.

White plaster of Paris is avaiable at NBS (National). Check your local supplier. I prefer dental plaster than POP because it is harder and does not break easily. SInce you'll be using styrofoam, you can use wall puttly to make it as a wall. I've tried it and it works like wonders!

Shonen: Thanks for the input. I actually have the following materials:

1) plaster of paris (two boxes) that I bought at Toy kingdom in Megamall cost me P129.00 2) Bostik wall putty (Acrylic based) cost me P69.00. -- tested is looks OK as you said kaya lang dapat medyo makapal para hindi mag-crack.

I am scrimping on the Plaster of Paris kasi medyo mahal...buti na lang meroon pala sa NBS...check ko. Some modelers are using the Durham's water putty (Gypsum based) kaya lang wala dito...sabi nila matibay daw at mas magaan sa plaster. Nakakita ako dito ng gypsum joint compund/putty called ABC in Ace and true value, it costs around P200 for 5kg can. If it is the same as Durham and Plaster of paris...I'll also give it a try.

Blitz: White cement is quite heavy and longer to set....although they are abundant in Hardwares here....

Ang mahal naman ng POP mo! Hehehe. Actually isang pakete lang nyan sa NBS is 35 pesos lang. It can fill a big bottle of coffee (forgot the name) at sobra pa nga eh. About that POP of yours, may pic ka? It's unnusual to see POP in TK.

Shonen: The POP from TK is the refill for those educational toys for children such as ref-magnet, picture frame...etc. The box is heavy (4 in. x 3 in. x 2 in.) I think its 4lbs. Good you mentiond the NBS plaster....

Yup, its quite costly kaya di ko gamit, nanghihinayang ako. I want to try the ABC gypsum putty I mentioned earlier., I hope it is similar to the Durham's water putty mentioned/used in the link below:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle

...BTW have you seen the http://www.hirstarts.com/ .

Ayos a! May tips and tricks pa! Can't see the pic mate Nag-eeror server ng Armorama ata. Will check later.

Shonen: Thanks for the info, I was able to buy POP in NBS...just to make sure, I bought 3 bags....

Maganda rin gamitin ang Joli modeling clay. May dalawang kulay ito, red-brown (kulay paso-terra cota) at beige. Ito nga ang ginagamit sa pang-gawa ng paso. 500gm pack costs around 12 riyals here. Translated to Peso P177+/-. maganda gamitin ito sa mga dio o vignettes ng mga figures na malalaki tulad ng 1/16, 90mm,110mm pataas. Medyo moist na ito. dagdagan mo lang ng tubig kapag matatagal ka na trabahu-in ito. Do not dry in direct heat o sunlight dahil mag kakaruon ng lamat. Unless yun ang gusto mo. Pero malakas din mag-shrink kung ganun.

Mas authentic ang dating dahil miniature brick made of actual brick materials. Peude pang pinturahan ng acrylic.

Mondo: I actually have an air dry clay w/c I bought last year (still in plastic) but I do not know the brand. I experimented using it for tarps OK naman. I think i'll also try using it again rather than matuyo sayang lang. I think air dry clays are available here in Toy kingdom coz I bought my daughter a pottery toy there it came with a terracota colored clay...oo nga ano..hanapin ko din iyon...thanks for reminding me and for the idea...