Smoothing clay

[Guy451]

Hey, I'm almost done getting the shape done for a ninja turtle mask and I was wondering what the best way would be to get my sculpture smooth before I start adding texture detail. I'm using chavant's le beau touche high melt clay. Thanks in advance!

 

[Surreal Studios]

any mineral oil will work, I just use baby oil

 

[Guy451]

Thanks! I've also heard of people using rubbing alcohol. I just don't know if that's with the kind of clay I'm using. Have you tried this?

 

[Alpha Proto]

I think people use rubbing alcohol because it dries quicker than water.

 

[Mernmonster]

Rubbing Alcohol works well enough. Mineral Spirits works almost too well- it usually makes the clay turn to goop. But just a brush and some baby powder works wonders and gets boogers off the clay really easily.
But to get it really smooth, an alcohol torch is the best bet. Link
Also, if you're at the finishing touches, using a can of air upside down will harden the clay to hold really good detail.

 

[fleefromme]

in one tutorial i saw something about using a hair dry/ heat gun. thoughts?

 

[TigerStoneFX]

Naptha works really well on oil based clays.

 

[Impactor]

I use 90% Isopropyl. Works great.

 

[Geuse]

any mineral oil will work, I just use baby oil

Hey. Not sure what your opinions are on bumping old threads like this, but I was wondering about baby oil. Here in Sweden it contains citric acid and I was wondering whether it would be harmful to monster clay?
Any other oils worth investigating? I was told corn oil might be an option.