Ground Goop Question

[shark_jj]

I have posted some new updates to the Grand Trunk Southern thread in the Layout Engineering area, in which I note that I am ready to move on to scenery.  I know the basic formula for ground goop, but have found it very difficult to find fine vermiculite in Southern Ontario.  My question, is that I assume it is just used as a filler as opposed to having a role in binding the materials together.  In that case, could it be replaced with other fillers, such as fine sawdust, or in fact, just double up on the amount of sculptamold.  I bought a 50lb box of sculptamold about 10 years ago and it is probably more than double what I need for this layout, so it is not a cost issue.  Any input would be appreciated.

[Palouse51]

Is your ground goop anything like "oatmeal"? http://evergreenrr.blogspot.ca/2015/01/oatmeal-breakfast-of-good-looking.html

If so then doubling the sculptamold and getting rid of the vermiculite would make it much too hard for pushing trees into. As far as where to get the stuff I would think any home improvement place with a gardening section would be the first stop. Then actual garden centres, then lastly a hydroponics shop. That last one would be sure to have it or able to get it, but may charge more.

[w neal]

Try a batch without filler, apply and see what you think. I simply avoided the vermiculite in one batch and have not missed it. I think it might be something only needed in the larger scales to represent "chunks" of mud. In N, I'm not so sure its needed.

[Doc Frankenfield]

if you have ample amounts of sculpt a mold, try mixing with straight S-A-M lesser amounts of water and then add regular earth colored flat house paint to the mix, it slows the drying time a little, makes and very smoothable  material and you can shape and form it while it sets with addition layers of house paint and a cheap bristle brush.
 

[w neal]

My formula for the stuff is very simple: 1 part Elmer's glue, 1 part earth - coloured latex paint, 3 parts Cel-u-clay. (Cel - u - clay is nothing more than finely gound "powder - like" newspaper used in paper mache type projects. I find cell - u - clay at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores. If the mix gets to "watery" add more cell-u-clay. Be prepared for some subsidence as the stuff dries. See my layout building thread called "Wisconsin Central: Heritage Division". I refer to the process as "mudding".