Before You Begin
This page provides you with a high level 'need to know' about beginning your journey with Pal Tiya Premium. The following six sections (listed at the top and bottom of this page and in the navigation menu) will go into the detail you will need to get going with your first sculpture.
|
|
DESCRIPTION
Pal Tiya Premium (PTP) is an easy to use "all-weather sculpting material" that cures to stone-hard without firing or kilns. The working texture is a fine silky clay that is fiber-reinforced for high strength in thin walled applications. It has considerable inherent natural strength. PTP can be hand laid up without the use of molds or specialized tools. Purpose built for large and strong sculptures with very fine surface details. Work may be added to and altered months later. Pal Tiya Premium is a satisfyingly direct route from your hands to a finished sculpture - with less fuss than any other outdoor sculpting medium. |
ALL WEATHER
We have extensively tested Pal Tiya Premium for sustained wet weathering and freezing conditions (passing the ATSM C666: at 300 x 'wet-freeze/thaw-cycles') from from -0.4F to +60.8F (-18C to +16C). This ensures that rain, shine, frost or snow … your finished sculptures will not be impacted at all.
We have extensively tested Pal Tiya Premium for sustained wet weathering and freezing conditions (passing the ATSM C666: at 300 x 'wet-freeze/thaw-cycles') from from -0.4F to +60.8F (-18C to +16C). This ensures that rain, shine, frost or snow … your finished sculptures will not be impacted at all.
|
USES
Indoor/outdoor garden sculptures, memorials, fine art sculpture, bird baths, large scale public art pieces, theme parks, educational facilities. |
|
|
|
|
SAFETY
Always use gloves when mixing by hand, as it can dry your hands out. A dust mask is needed when working around the material in a powder form as it contains Portland cement. There is no fiberglass in Pal Tiya Premium. Familiarize yourself with out Safety Data Sheet > HERE < And our Technical Data Sheet > HERE < BEST WORKING TEMPERATURE The optimal working temperature is 61-70 Degrees F. (16-21 degrees C). Much hotter than that, and the material will cure faster. Using cold water will slow down the cure time. WORKING TIME 15 minutes of soft pliable sculpting time (for basic shapes) followed by 2 hours of gradual stiffening (for adding detail and texture). It changes as it cures giving you an exciting sculpting experience. |
|
|
ARMATURES
Armatures can be any material that does not absorb the moisture from the PTP during cure. Steel, rebar, chicken wire, plastic, foil, Polystyrene foam, ceramic, etc. Things like wood, would draw too much moisture out of the product as it is curing and it would result in weakness in your final sculpture. Some smoother materials may need crushed foil on top so the PTP can adhere to the surface such as glass. *Welded steel reinforcement is needed only when approaching large scale work (over 7 feet) or in pieces with complicated extrusions and unsupported projections. Click Here To Visit the Armatures Section For More Details |
|
|
|
MIXING Pal Tiya Premium comes as a dry powder. It mixes with water to form a silky smooth 'dough' for Sculpting with. By volume: 4 parts PTP to 1 part water. By weight 5 parts PTP to 1 part water Mix together in a bowl, then knead by hand. Add either more water or Premium till it becomes a pliable, dough-like consistency. Continue to knead for 2 minutes. For large batches, and electric dough mixer is helpful and the knead time should increase to 5 minutes. Click Here To Visit The Mixing Section For More Details |
COVERAGE
A 3 lb bag of dry PTP covers 14 x 14 inches x 1/4 inch thick A 40 lb bag of dry PTP covers 9 square ft x 1/2 inch thick (1 square yard) WORKING OVER TIME
Subsequent layers may be added on over days, weeks, even months. A proper scratch/furrow coat is needed. While PTP is soft, inscribe deep grooves or vertical sided furrows into the surface. To apply another layer, slightly dampen the cured area with water and firmly press the fresh PTP into the grooves. In the absence of grooves, they may be put into the cured surface with a Dremel or grinder. |
|
CURING
A proper cure takes several days in the presence of moisture. Day 1: wrap your sculpture tightly in plastic so the water in it doesn't evaporate. Day 2: wrap wet towels around it and then re-cover with plastic. Days 3- 5: Keep wrapped in wet towels and plastic. BEST STRONGEST CURE 80% of your ultimate strength will come in the first 7 days, but if you are making outdoor statuary and want the best possible longevity, keep your sculpture under wet towels and plastic on for a full 28 days. ALTERNATIVELYIf on the first day of sculpting you are happy with your sculpture, then simply wrap in plastic and the next day you can simply submerge fully in cold water. Leave it there for 5 -28 days for the best, strongest, hardest cure. |
EMBEDDED MATERIALS
Ceramic, glass, stones, crystals, shell and metal can be embedded in the surface. Any material that does not remove moisture from the curing PTP. Some porous ceramics must be made damp before using SHRINKAGE
Our material does contract, but only microscopically. Each layer of Pal Tiya Premium will lock on to the prior layer without significant shrinkage or distortion therefore, you can build around glass etc. REMOVAL OF SURFACE FIBERS POST CURE
The best way is with a standard propane torch. In a ventilated area, pass the flame quickly over the sculpture for a few seconds and they will flash off. SANDING
PTP can be sanded with various grits for a final finish. A dust mask is recommended when sanding. Pal Tiya Premium can be sanded to a near polish, especially after the piece has been fully cured. 300-500 grit will produce a nice surface. Your choice of a final sealer will determine the ultimate shine, whether it is a concrete stain, spray sealer or wax. |
|
CLEANUP
Clean tools with water *This water should not be immediately poured down a sink*. Allow the particles to settle over night, then pour off the water. The small layer of remaining sediment can then be buried in your garden or removed with your trash. Remember, Pal Tiya Premium eventually becomes "stone-hard". Clean tools well or they'll soon become Neanderthal implements. |
PAINTING
Concrete stains, watered-down exterior grade house paints, indian inks and Oxides in dry powder can all be used to color Pal Tiya Premium. STORAGE
The best option is a sealed plastic container/pail. Do not place a bag of PTP directly on a concrete floor. Concrete floors hold a lot of moisture naturally and this can wick through even the best bag. |
NOT RECOMMENDED
Not recommended for fish tanks or aquatic environments, cups and bowls that would be used to contain or serve food or beverages, clothing or kites :)
Not recommended for fish tanks or aquatic environments, cups and bowls that would be used to contain or serve food or beverages, clothing or kites :)