Baking Powder as Flocking?

[peteski]

Here you go guys.  From https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/baking-powder-vs-baking-soda-whats-the-difference

The Similarities Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder

Baking soda and baking powder are both leaveners made from a chemical called sodium bicarbonate. When sodium bicarbonate is combined with an acid, it produces a gas (carbon dioxide, C02, the same gas we exhale when we’re breathing) that lifts cakes, cookies or other baked goodies while they're in the oven. As C02 is produced, the batter expands and rises and the heat in the oven causes the protein in the batter (often eggs) to become rigid, a scaffolding of sorts that holds the baked good up even after it cools.

The Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, with nothing else in that box. In order for it to produce the gas, it needs an acid added. Then it gets to work neutralizing the acid, and in the process, it produces C02. Think back to the baking soda volcano experiment in grade school: when your science teacher added acid, it bubbled up and overflowed. Buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice or molasses are a few of the acids we use in baking to activate baking soda. For this reason, baking soda is used in recipes that require an acidic ingredient added.

Baking powder is a combination of sodium bicarbonate and powdered acid (like cream of tartar). Because it already contains an acid, all it needs is moisture and heat added to activate it. It's typically used in recipes that don't call for an acidic ingredient added.

Sodium Bicarbonate  Is water soluble, will absorb moisture from ambient air,  resulting in a liquid solution.

I like to understand how the chemicals I use in my hobbies work.  Both of the above chemicals are used in food production. There really isn't any need to use them for modeling tasks.

Yes, baking soda has been used (and is still used by some on this forum) as CA glue accelerator.  It will cause instant setting of the CA glue generating heat.  If it is totally sealed within the glue it will not absorb moisture, but if some grains are not fully sealed (exposed to ambient air), they will eventually turn into liquid solution, and ooze out.  There are CA accelerators specifically designed to safely set the CA glue.  Why not use those?

Baby Powder (talcum, corn starch, and perfume) can be used as a filler material, but corn starch can develop mold after long exposure to moisture.  Better to use talcum powder without any additives. Microballons are better inert type of filler.  Plastic filings also work well as a filler.  Again,, understanding the properties of the materials used in our hobby will result in better and more durable models.

[Oldmopars]

In my job I have access to very large amounts of Garnet. It comes in bags of 55lbs each and can be sized in 80 grit, 120 grit and even 220 grit. I have used this many times on my models. It works well, and will never dissolve or change forms. It is tiny little rocks, and will always stay tiny little rocks. 

Oh, and for me, it is free. 

This can be had in other "stones" in the form of sandblasting sand. Tons of grit sizes and colors. 

[StevenGuthmiller]

I always try to look at any materials that  I use in the construction of my models from a basic common sense point of view.

That’s not to say that there aren’t plenty of materials that were not designed to be used on a model that may work fine, but there are a lot of things used by modelers today that I just don’t trust, and if there are viable alternatives that work as well that don’t appear to cause issues down the road, it just makes sense to me to use them instead.

Baking soda, or powder would worry me a bit.

Just for the fact that it’s a “food stuff” would cause me pause, and being as there is a good alternative for carpets, (embossing powder) which is essentially a plastic, it only makes sense that from a longevity standpoint, it seems much less risky than using something that is used in baking.

I have these same sort of worries about a lot of other materials used by today’s hobbyists.

Masking tape for vinyl tops is one.

Masking tape was never designed to be permanent, so in my view, it’s a much better, (and more realistic looking) alternative to use paint, which I know isn’t going anywhere.

Floor polish versus clear lacquer or other form of clear paint is another that I have little confidence in.

The most recent material that I stay away from is Molotow ink for chrome trim.

Another material that was invented for graffiti art, and never really meant to be permanent, I’m much more comfortable using foil, which is metal and will theoretically last darn near forever, versus a very fragile ink which I have no reason to believe will hold up for the long haul.

I believe in letting others be my guinea pigs for me, and in the mean time, I’ll stick with my tried and true “old school” approaches that I know will work without giving me any headaches down the road.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited May 29, 2022 by StevenGuthmiller

[peteski]

4 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

Floor polish versus clear lacquer or other form of clear paint is another that I have little confidence in.

Steve,  If you are talking about "Future" (or Pledge Floor Finish) it is *NOT* a floor polish.

It has never been describes as "wax" or "polish". it is called "floor finish" because it is a water-based acrylic clear coating.  Similar to other hobby water-based acrylic gloss clears.  While I have not used it as a clear coat for a model car body, I have used it to improve the look if model's "glass" windows.

[StevenGuthmiller]

19 minutes ago, peteski said:

Steve,  If you are talking about "Future" (or Pledge Floor Finish) it is *NOT* a floor polish.

It has never been describes as "wax" or "polish". it is called "floor finish" because it is a water-based acrylic clear coating.  Similar to other hobby water-based acrylic gloss clears.  While I have not used it as a clear coat for a model car body, I have used it to improve the look if model's "glass" windows.

I understand Peter, but to me, it’s still a floor care product, and I’m just not comfortable with the prospects of it’s long term durability.

I am confident however, that automotive clear lacquer is going to last at least for the remainder of my lifetime.

I don’t see any advantage with using Future, other than possibly a time advantage, but I’ve never been the type to look for short cuts anyway.

I can understand some of the uses like what you’ve described above, but you’re not likely to ever see me putting it over any of my paint jobs.

 

Steve

Edited May 30, 2022 by StevenGuthmiller

[bobthehobbyguy]

I have to agree with others I don't see its worth the risk of using baking powder or other organic materials. 

[Jon Cole]

On 5/29/2022 at 12:21 AM, peteski said:

Here you go guys.  From https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/baking-powder-vs-baking-soda-whats-the-difference

The Similarities Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder

Baking soda and baking powder are both leaveners made from a chemical called sodium bicarbonate. When sodium bicarbonate is combined with an acid, it produces a gas (carbon dioxide, C02, the same gas we exhale when we’re breathing) that lifts cakes, cookies or other baked goodies while they're in the oven. As C02 is produced, the batter expands and rises and the heat in the oven causes the protein in the batter (often eggs) to become rigid, a scaffolding of sorts that holds the baked good up even after it cools.

The Difference Between Baking Soda and Baking Powder

Baking soda is pure sodium bicarbonate, with nothing else in that box. In order for it to produce the gas, it needs an acid added. Then it gets to work neutralizing the acid, and in the process, it produces C02. Think back to the baking soda volcano experiment in grade school: when your science teacher added acid, it bubbled up and overflowed. Buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice or molasses are a few of the acids we use in baking to activate baking soda. For this reason, baking soda is used in recipes that require an acidic ingredient added.

Baking powder is a combination of sodium bicarbonate and powdered acid (like cream of tartar). Because it already contains an acid, all it needs is moisture and heat added to activate it. It's typically used in recipes that don't call for an acidic ingredient added.

Sodium Bicarbonate  Is water soluble, will absorb moisture from ambient air,  resulting in a liquid solution.

I like to understand how the chemicals I use in my hobbies work.  Both of the above chemicals are used in food production. There really isn't any need to use them for modeling tasks.

Yes, baking soda has been used (and is still used by some on this forum) as CA glue accelerator.  It will cause instant setting of the CA glue generating heat.  If it is totally sealed within the glue it will not absorb moisture, but if some grains are not fully sealed (exposed to ambient air), they will eventually turn into liquid solution, and ooze out.  There are CA accelerators specifically designed to safely set the CA glue.  Why not use those?

Baby Powder (talcum, corn starch, and perfume) can be used as a filler material, but corn starch can develop mold after long exposure to moisture.  Better to use talcum powder without any additives. Microballons are better inert type of filler.  Plastic filings also work well as a filler.  Again,, understanding the properties of the materials used in our hobby will result in better and more durable models.

"There are CA accelerators specifically designed to safely set the CA glue.  Why not use those?"
And THAT is the money shot! On to my hobby shopping list it is. Thanks, Peteski!

[SfanGoch]

On 5/28/2022 at 2:33 PM, Jon Cole said:

Well, tho off topic, but we ARE talking baking powder, I use it as a glue setting. Especially for superglue. 
Would the moisture absorbency be an issue there?

 

 

On 5/28/2022 at 3:04 PM, Plowboy said:

Not if it's sealed with primer and paint afterwards. I have models twelve to fifteen years old that were flocked with baking soda. They're still fine. If nothing has happened by now, I don't think anything is going to. 

Like I said, it's not if, but when, baking soda breaks down and ruins that model you spent so much time and attention building to perfection. This thread by Pat Minarick should knock some common sense into yer noggins.

Foodstuffs are the worst things one can use as modeling tools. Don't place yourself in the position to have this happen to you. Use products which are specifically compatible. That means accelerator for CA and microballoons for filler and embossing powder or flocking for carpeting interiors.