Milliput Mixing Question

[warrenss2]

I usually work with greenstuff, but I recently bought some milliput.

How in the H#LL do you mix the two parts? It's like try to knead two pieces of chalk together. Would adding water to it soften it up?

Help! 

[Westfalia Chris]

I read from your description that the material is very hard and difficult to knead? Could it be that your batch has gone off? I've used both the standard and superfine variety, and while I would prefer Magic Sculp for actual sculpting tasks anytime, I never had problems mixing the two components for either sort - it should become more flexible as it mixes and heats up (from your body heat in the fingers).

I would avoid adding water at the kneading stage. Just creeps into your skin even more than it already does (and I've started using disposable latex gloves for the kneading, much better and obviously leaves less fingerprints on the putty).

[Heldrak]

If it's that hard it sounds like you have a stale batch. While it does have a more clay-like consistency than greenstuff, if it is as hard as chalk you have an old dried-out batch and you should ask your supplier for a replacement.

[Remgain]

Warren,

normally Milliput is just a little stiff than plasticene.
I see that the grey component deteriorates faster than the yellow one.
In fact I have to dig it from inside, as the surface of the bar si very hard.

Marco

[Hammers]

Also: in my experience once it is off, there is not way to recondition it (heat, water...)

[Silent Invader]

I usually work with greenstuff, but I recently bought some milliput.

I had a similar experience!

Lots of greenstuff use then recently thought I'd try out milliput.

I too found it difficult to mix.  I gave up on kneading and just roll it and roll it and roll it between my palms.

Can't say I like it much.  Very messy when it gets wet.

[Plynkes]

Having used Miliput since I was a teenager, when I tried Greenstuff for the first time this year (because everyone said how much better it was) I was surprised to find that I hated it. How the hell are you supposed to sculpt things out of chewing gum?

Takes all sorts, eh?

[Major_Gilbear]

Adding a little water and kneading it with patience can resuscitate old/stale Milliput.

If you are working quickly with it, for example bulking up an area on some terrain, microwaving it for a second or two can help! It does cure the stuff faster though, so work quickly.

Otherwise, I'd say you have an old batch. You should really keep them in a tupperware box in the the freezer, and try to use them up within 12-18 months.

As for Plynkes' GS/Chewing Gum issues... Well, let it cure for 20 minutes at room temp before you try sculpting with it - it firms right up. Failing that, try ProCreate by Kraftmark (Andy Foster of Heresy sells the stuff in the UK). It is far easier to work with than GS in my opinion!

[Silent Invader]

Greenstuff is such a bugger to work that getting used to it has spoiled me for anything else!

[6milPhil]

Have to agree with the "stale" comments from others. Usually it's like putty, the more you handle it and the warmer it gets the softer and stickier it becomes. V. much like green stuff in that regard.

[Wirelizard]

Having used Miliput since I was a teenager, when I tried Greenstuff for the first time this year (because everyone said how much better it was) I was surprised to find that I hated it. How the hell are you supposed to sculpt things out of chewing gum?

Takes all sorts, eh?

I've had about the same response to greenstuff, having gotten used to milliput's pleasantly clay-like properties. It has it's uses, but as a strictly amateur dabbler I'll be using milliput as much as I can over greenstuff!

And yeah, if you're having to dig soft milliput out of the middle of the uncured length of the stuff, there's something badly wrong with your batch!